Universities Under Pressure: Navigating Change in a Post-Pandemic, AI-Driven World

Abstract

Higher education institutions are facing unprecedented pressures generated by the lasting effects of the pandemic, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence, demographic shifts and growing demands for economic and social relevance. Traditional models of teaching, research and governance are being redefined by digital transformation, hybrid learning, micro-credentials and an increasingly diverse student body. This section invites theoretical, empirical and comparative contributions that explore how universities respond to these challenges while preserving academic values and advancing the European higher education project. The aim is to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue on emerging models, strategies and perspectives shaping the university of the twenty-first century.