Prepare to be inspired! At the recent Open edX conference, Ángel Cabrera, the visionary leader of Georgia Tech, delivered a compelling speech titled “Rethinking the University: Access, Affordability, and Excellence at Scale.” This powerful presentation delves into Georgia Tech’s groundbreaking journey in redefining higher education through large-scale innovation.
Cabrera spotlights Georgia Tech’s strategic commitment to expanding access and affordability, primarily through its highly successful online master’s programs. He shares the remarkable story of their “crazy idea” over a decade ago: an entirely online, MOOC-based Master of Science in Computer Science, offered at a fraction of the traditional cost [04:54]. Despite initial skepticism, this revolutionary concept, sparked by a challenge from Udacity’s Sebastian Thrun and backed by AT&T, has blossomed into an educational phenomenon.
The speech details the rapid expansion of these programs to include Data Analytics and Cybersecurity, demonstrating comparable learning outcomes and quality to traditional programs. This success culminated in the creation of a new College of Lifetime Learning, dedicated to non-traditional learners. Cabrera emphasizes how this online model has democratized admissions, removing physical barriers and fostering inclusivity, aiming to serve “the many, not the few” [11:56].
Cabrera meticulously addresses and debunks initial faculty concerns, showcasing how these online initiatives have not only boosted enrollment—from 21,000 students in 2013 to 53,000, with 23,000 online learners today—but also enhanced the university’s brand and significantly increased applications to traditional campus programs. With online master’s tuition remaining exceptionally low at $6,000 (compared to a $60,000 national average), and impressive retention rates, Georgia Tech is proving that elite education can be both accessible and affordable.
This speech is a must-watch for anyone passionate about the future of learning. Cabrera’s insights offer a powerful blueprint for how strategic innovation can transform traditional institutions, making quality education attainable for a broader global audience.
You can watch the full speech here: Rethinking the University: Access, Affordability, and Excellence at Scale
Crucial insights for the future of education!
@Angel Cabrera’s speech, “Rethinking the University: Access, Affordability, and Excellence at Scale,” at the Open edX conference, profoundly illustrates the importance of ensuring education remains accessible to all. His work at Georgia Tech with large-scale online programs is a testament to how we can break down barriers and deliver high-quality learning without compromising on affordability.
This is more than innovation; it’s about expanding opportunity and ensuring higher education truly serves both a local and a broader global community.
📺 Don’t miss this essential conversation: https://youtu.be/IzNzIKu3kw8
#EducationAccess #HigherEd #AffordableEducation #OpenEdX #Innovation #FutureOfLearning #GeorgiaTech
