Page - 171 - in Radical Solutions and Open Science - An Open Approach to Boost Higher Education

11 TheResponseofHigherEducation… 179 11.2 TransformationPlan Asnewtechnologiesemerge,universitiesmustrethinkthewaylearningandteaching is being conducted.Universities not only need to be reactive to the ever-changing external environment, but also become proactive pioneers to provide cutting-edge solutions addressing regional and global challenges. Today’s educatorsmustmeet the needs of a new generation of learners aspiring to thrive and contribute in an increasingly interconnected complexworld. This provides newchallenges for aca- demics, anddemands that universitiesmust constantly evolve and innovate tomeet thechangingneedsofacademia, employers, andmillennial learners. The traditionaloperationsofuniversities arecurrentlychallengedashigher edu- cation institutions loose pace with dynamically changing demands. The rapidly- changing external environment led by technology is transforming learning, teach- ing, and research.Students and thewider society requireyear-roundaccess tohigh quality programsandflexiblemodesof delivery.The regional economic context of theGulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and challenges arisingwith the demands to develop and foster the private sector are also challenges that the Universitymust respondtobyfocusingonproducingahighqualityandskilledhumancapital.Gain- ing international research impact is achievedby targetedand innovativeapproaches to research through international collaboration. TheimpactoftheUniversityasthenationaluniversitygoesfarwiderthanteaching andresearch.ThegraduatesoftheUniversityarethenumberonechoiceofemployers inBahrain, theUniversity is ranked in the top500globally for employer reputation according to the 2019QSWorldUniversityRankings, and it has aflockof alumni whoare leadingnationally, regionally, and internationally. Economic growth and community expectations drove theUniversity ofBahrain to rethink its approachnot just toward students but also to include faculty and staff members, industry, societyandstakeholders in termsofbrand,marketing,andinter- national profile. TheTransformation Plan aims to build a bridge to the future and provide a strategic roadmap to ensure that its graduates are sufficiently prepared and equipped to contribute to the social and economic growth of Bahrain by cre- ating thenext generationof leaders, influencers, entrepreneurs and innovators.The TransformationPlanhas sevenkeypillars,whichareas follows: 1. World-classLearning andTeaching: to transform learning and teachingphilos- ophy to be responsive to changes in technology, labor market needs and the national andeconomicpriorities. 2. Leading Edge Human Capital: to develop highly knowledgeable and skilled human capital by offering programs that will act as the catalyst for student success. 3. ResearchwithNationalandRegionalImpact: toconcentrateonresearchthatwill contribute to national and regional priorities in areas such as renewable energy andwater and food technologies.