Moving from reactive to structural change
The road to success for universities in 2026 will see them embedding change rather than reacting to it.
By Sidharth Oberoi, Vice President of Global Strategy, Instructure
"The landscape of who is studying, where they are going and what they are looking for is changing fundamentally"
"The challenge is to move from ‘accumulation’ to coordinated integration of technology."
Over the past year, many institutions have had to respond rapidly to accelerating change—engaging in what can feel like a technological “arms race” to keep pace with digital transformation, while also navigating legitimate concerns around academic integrity and the use of AI. Much of this response has been necessarily reactive, shaped by constrained resources and mounting external pressure.
Looking ahead to the next twelve months, however, the shift I’m watching most closely is a departure from short-term defensive measures toward more fundamental structural reconfiguration. Not just in how AI is governed, but in how universities respond to changing learner expectations, global mobility, credential value and technological fragmentation.
These are not abstract challenges. They sit at the intersection of pedagogy, technology and strategy—and they will shape which institutions thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Beyond the ‘cliff’: navigating the enrolment shift Much has been written about the ‘enrolment cliff,’ particularly in traditional markets, but what we are watching is actually an ‘enrolment shift’. The landscape of who is studying, where they are going and what they are looking for is changing fundamentally. Many students are increasingly turning to vocational training and alternative providers. For example, according to data from Spain’s official TodoFP portal, vocational training has seen an unprecedented 36 percent growth over the last six years, now serving over 1.2 million students. The shift is also evident in international education. As the four traditional magnets for international education, the UK, US, Australia, and Canada, tighten their visa and migration policies, student and global talent flows are redistributing. Other countries are gaining ground in international education as they offer more accessible alternatives in terms of costs and migration conditions. For universities in 2026, survival depends on providing flexible learning pathways that cater to a multi-generational workforce and facilitate mobility between institutions, sectors and countries to enhance employability.
Making microcredentials ‘count’
Microcredentials are a key tool for navigating this shift, but their impact depends on more than simply offering more courses. To deliver real value, microcredentials must support genuine progression, employability, and lifelong learning.
This requires that credentials are recognised, transferable and valued by both universities and employers across sectors and borders—providing learners with flexibility and opportunities throughout their careers. When designed and implemented effectively, microcredentials can become a fundamental component of the global educational currency.
Overcoming ecosystem fragmentation
The vision of mobility can only be realised if institutions are able to deploy AI effectively, without being hindered by fragmented technology ecosystems.
Digital transformation needs to mean more than ‘modernisation’ through the accumulation of tools. In 2026, the challenge is to move from ‘accumulation’ to coordinated integration of technology. Legacy architectures—often closed, fragmented systems designed for simple, linear processes—limit institutional agility, slow innovation and make meaningful integration increasingly difficult.
To unlock the potential of ‘agentic AI’ (autonomous systems capable of intelligent automation—) while maintaining appropriate oversight and control, universities require an agent-friendly architecture. This means moving away from applying technological ‘patches’ and toward unified data access under institutional control, supported by transparent APIs and open standards. Achieving this shift is not simply a marker of digital maturity; it’s foundational to ensuring that AI delivers real, scalable value for students, faculty and the institution as a whole.
A new pedagogy of integrity
Finally, we must address one of the most persistent and complex challenges: academic integrity. Many institutions continue to address this through a ‘policing’ mindset and the use of technology tools. Whilst understandable, this approach is increasingly limited, as AI continues to evolve faster than any system of enforcement can keep up with.
Instead, a focus on AI literacy offers a more sustainable path. By embedding AI understanding into pedagogy, universities can design assessments and learning experiences in ways that make the learning process visible over time. Encouraging students to be transparent about their use of AI and to explain and defend their reasoning, shifts the emphasis from policing to nurturing genuine critical thinking.
Whilst AI has brought countless challenges to education, it has also created a number of opportunities. Institutions that place AI literacy at the core of their pedagogical strategy, while addressing technological fragmentation, will be best positioned to remain relevant and effective in a world that values lifelong learning and adaptability.
Sidharth is the Vice President of International Strategy for Instructure and oversees the strategy and vision of International expansion for all of Instructure and identifies the pressing needs that customers across the globe are confronted with. Sidharth manages the strategic direction of the fast growing Instructure Learning Platform and works with the Global teams to ensure that as the Product is developed, that it is thought about in a global capacity.
Sidharth has been actively working in Education Technology for over 10 years and is dedicated to providing avenues for institutions and learners to have access to the best tools and resources to enhance education.
Sidharth is the Vice President of International Strategy for Instructure and oversees the strategy and vision of International expansion for all of Instructure and identifies the pressing needs that customers across the globe are confronted with. Sidharth manages the strategic direction of the fast growing Instructure Learning Platform and works with the Global teams to ensure that as the Product is developed, that it is thought about in a global capacity.
Sidharth has been actively working in Education Technology for over 10 years and is dedicated to providing avenues for institutions and learners to have access to the best tools and resources to enhance education.