Reimagining Higher Education: The Platform University Webinars
Transforming universities into entrepreneurial hubs of innovation with Platform Organisation models and the 3EO framework.
Boundaryless Team
Reimagining Higher Education: Introducing The Platform University
Higher education stands at a crossroads. Universities around the globe are grappling with financial instability, increased competition, shifting student expectations, and technological disruptions. The traditional structures that have defined these institutions for centuries are proving increasingly inadequate in addressing the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Recognizing the urgency for transformation, RMIT Forward from Australia and Boundaryless have launched a bold initiative: The Platform University.
This initiative seeks to reimagine universities as entrepreneurial and ecosystemic hubs, applying cutting-edge concepts from platform organization models to the world of higher education.
The official launch of this transformative concept was marked by a webinar featuring the leading voices behind the initiative: Pete Cohen, Development Partner at RMIT Forward; Peter Thomas, Director of RMIT Forward; and Simone Cicero, CEO of Boundaryless. Together, they explored the core ideas and practical applications presented in the newly released Platform University whitepaper.
The session outlined how Platform Organisation models and Entrepreneurial-Enabling Ecosystem (3EO) concepts can empower universities to address issues like funding instability, outdated structures, and shifting student expectations.
They proposed a transformation that looks into decentralizing operations, fostering a culture of innovation, and creating dynamic, flexible systems to integrate internal and external resources.
They also addressed common resistance, such as regulatory constraints and risk aversion, and discussed potential solutions like transparency, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy to overcome barriers. With real-world examples from companies like Haier, Buurtzorg, and Bayer, they showcased immense success using these approaches.
Webinar Highlights: The Case for Change
The discussion opened with an exploration of the challenges facing universities today. Peter Thomas emphasized the unprecedented pressures these institutions face, including financial strains caused by declining student enrollments, new geopolitical realities, and increasing competition from private education providers and digital platforms. Thomas argued that universities must move beyond incremental adjustments and embrace transformative change to maintain their relevance and impact.
Later Simone Cicero introduced the audience to the principles underpinning platform organizations, highlighting their potential to revolutionize higher education. Drawing on successful examples from other industries. Based on Boundaryless’s experience with pioneering organizations, he described how decentralizing decision-making and empowering autonomous units can foster agility and innovation.
Cicero explained how universities can adopt similar structures, creating so-called “micro-enterprises” within the institution—autonomous units that can independently design and deliver value while relying on shared service platforms for support.
Pete Cohen brought the concept to life with real-world examples from RMIT Forward’s own experiences. He shared how small-scale pilot projects, designed with agility and experimentation at their core, have enabled RMIT Forward to test platform-based strategies in a low-risk manner. These initiatives have provided valuable insights and demonstrated how universities can align academic values with market responsiveness to thrive in a competitive landscape.
The conversation later went into the transformative potential of the Platform University model. Panelists discussed how this approach can reduce bureaucracy, increase interdepartmental collaboration, and create student-centric offerings such as microcredentials and modular learning programs. They also emphasized how the low-hanging fruits – the opportunities most at hand for universities to extend their influence beyond education – can be in offering innovative solutions in research, consulting, and intellectual property development.
The webinar concluded with a call to action: universities must go beyond acknowledging the need for change and take concrete steps to implement new ways of operating.
The whitepaper serves as a roadmap, offering practical guidance on beginning this journey through experimentation, collaboration, and the adoption of entrepreneurial principles.
The Platform University initiative is not merely an academic exercise but it wants to be a blueprint for the future of higher education. By embracing these ideas, universities can position themselves as dynamic hubs of innovation and collaboration, equipped to navigate the challenges of the 21st century while creating lasting value for students, staff, and society.
For those ready to take the next step, the Platform University whitepaper offers detailed insights and actionable strategies. The conversation has begun, and it is an invitation for educators, policymakers, and university leaders to reimagine what higher education can be in an interconnected and rapidly evolving world.
What’s Next?
In case you missed the webinar, you can watch it here and make sure to mark your calendar for our upcoming sessions:
- Webinar #2: Bringing The Platform University to Life
Register here, and join us as we reimagine higher education and create a foundation for innovation and collaboration at the grassroots level.