Zarina Nalla, Chief Operating Officer at the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) in Malaysia, discussed the challenge of balancing cost-effective education with quality education in a post-pandemic world. She emphasized the need to prepare students holistically, not just for industry needs, and highlighted the importance of creating well-rounded individuals.
Zarina also shared concerns about students who cannot afford private education and may drop out of the system, potentially leading to increased poverty. She pointed out that online learning is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and some students prefer face-to-face interactions with educators.
Furthermore, Zarina urged private institutions to consider a social agenda alongside profits and called for collaboration with the government or civil society to ensure social mobility for all. She emphasized the importance of aligning the organization’s strategic intent with the changing landscape of education.
“A foresight study that suggested traditional universities could face challenges in the coming years as students increasingly opt for online learning. She stressed the importance of adaptability and change management within educational institutions to meet the evolving needs of students”, she concluded.
The article was originally published at
https://digitallearning.eletsonline.com/2023/10/balancing-cost-effective-and-quality-education-in-a-post-pandemic-world/
