The University of the Future Network is a multidisciplinary and international consortium where researchers and academics meet to analyse and discuss the challenges and opportunities that universities are facing in the framework of the 21s1 century. It is a network that explores, discusses, envisions the future of universities, linking its work with doctoral candidates and with industry oriented start up and companies. The construction of the international network emerges with the arrival of the new Millennium, as universities were subdue by: (a) financial restrictions, (b) radical changes in the students' education expectations (c) high demand from industry to get graduates with relevant work competencies. UFN members want to be at the core of universities' transformation, developing research projects, learning from each other, building capacity among universities in developing countries which are facing similar challenges without the resources and capabilities of the industrialized world. So far, the network has met four times in four different countries. Each meeting is presided by work done between the network founders and the hosting university, linking with local research projects and identifying potential doctoral students whose research work is linked to online education (in all its forms), or to the development of innovative curriculum, or to creating a technology oriented start company. Working with the network partners, higher education institutions have received guidance to develop new online programs, or feedback about linking the work of graduates to industry needs. Furthermore, members of the network have also great impact in local research institutions and/or government bodies, by bring innovative ideas that contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and inclusive society.
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