The future of Spanish universities: the digital revolution is here to stay

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In just 48 hours and after the state of alarm was declared in Spain, the universities managed to adapt all their programs and went from face-to-face classes to distance learning . The process was a complete success, since almost all the students were able to continue with the course and save it in some way. But after this unexpected turnaround in university life, many questions arise about what higher education will be like in the future and how many of the changes introduced will be consolidated in the medium and long term. And this has been precisely the central topic of debate in the webinar The necessary digital revolution of universities due to the Covid-19 crisisorganized by EL MUNDO in collaboration with the CEU San Pablo University and the Community of Madrid .

The virtual meeting was attended by five important personalities in the university world. On the one hand, Rosa Visedo and Guillermo Cisneros, rectors of the CEU San Pablo University and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) , respectively. Also spokespeople from the business world such as Belén Gancedo , Director of Education at Microsoft Ibérica and Susana García Espinel, Director of Santander Universities and Universia . In addition, as a representative of the public administration, Eduardo Sicilia Cavanillas, Minister of Science, Universities and Innovation of the Community of Madrid also participated in the debate .

The meeting began with an intervention by the rector of the CEU San Pablo University, which was subsequently signed by the rest of the participants . "The digital revolution in universities is here to stay, it will not be ephemeral . " In turn, all the participants highlighted the effort of the staff of the universities that has facilitated this dizzying transformation and the amazing ability of students to adapt.

Challenges for the future

But, as Visedo also pointed out, "it will be the students themselves who demand more and more from the universities, so there are still many things to improve." One of the great challenges and great concerns of the university community in the short term is to try to advance in distance assessment systems.

"Even those universities, such as UNED, which taught online classes before these crises , used face-to-face assessment methods. It is necessary to implement proctoring systems with which to detect fraud and guarantee veracity," said García Espinel.

But, as Cisneros pointed out, some controversy may arise when supervising evaluations at a distance. "If it is a teacher who monitors the online exam in the same way that they would in the classroom, there would be no problem. But if you automate a proctoring system that stores and processes information about the student's equipment, you could violate the law of Data Protection". The rector of the UPM also advocated that all those offers directed at exam fraud that are taking place recently in the networks be pursued ex officio.

Another challenge that higher education in Spain will have to face is how they will face the next course with the unknown of the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic. " Much of what we do in September will have to do with what they tell us from the Ministry of Health , but initially there will be a mixed model between face-to-face and distance training , in which you can take advantage of everything learned at this time Working remotely is not going to be something specific ", indicated the counselor of the Community of Madrid.

Universities, for their part, are prepared for the worst. If you cannot control the pandemic, this may seriously affect your mobility programs . "About 25% of our students are international . In any of the possible scenarios for the next course we will be prepared to offer them face-to-face or distance training, either due to the cancellation of visas or the closure of borders," said Visedo. Cisneros expressed himself in a very similar line regarding exchanges. " 100% of the mobility programs are granted for the coming year, although all are liable to be suspended."

The role of companies

On the other hand, the provision of the necessary means to the students to be able to continue with distance learning is another objective. Although universities like UPM, as Cisneros indicated, have managed to satisfy all the requests for technological material by their students, there are still students who do not have what it takes to follow classes remotely. "During these months there have been many donations or loans of devices to achieve this, but the future will be unknown. From Microsoft, we are focusing our effort on becoming a useful support for Universities in this regard," said Belén Cisneros.

García Espinel also highlighted Banco Santander's support for higher education at a time like this of a health crisis. The bank has mobilized close to 20 million euros from its patronage program in Education to, among other things, support more disadvantaged students so that they can continue the course. In addition, it has launched a complementary program of 20,000 scholarships that aim to contribute to the future employability of students and promote digital learning among teachers.

In addition to the solidarity aspect, Sicily believes that the interaction between the university and the business world is fundamental to face this transformation . "The faculties, after all, are going to be those that provide companies with talent and personnel. For this reason, more than ever, it is necessary for the University to continue to be a center that fosters relations with citizens, companies, researchers and all social agents. When we go out, the University must be a protective shield for society . "

The counselor also advocated for training students on how to deal with this new reality . "Beyond the teachings and programs of each faculty, be they in the arts or science, from the universities students must be prepared to face this new digital ecosystem. Now more than ever we need trained people to manage the uncertainty and capable of facing a different reality ".

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