Opportunities and Risks in Higher Education in the Postpandemic Period

In the first half of the 2020, we all have witnessed the measures taken to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease and slow down the pandemic in almost the whole world. One of the most significant measures which was taken to prevent gatherings in public spaces is to stop in person education altogether and move education into digital platforms. On the other hand, in the second half of the 2020, we expect to observe a controlled normalization process until a vaccine is found. Considering that until a vaccine is found, the pandemic will keep affecting people and it will take time to turn back into regular social life, higher education institutions are also expected to adopt into this controlled social life which will last a while longer and keep increasing its educational and scientific activities in this environment. Although, it is still not certain how the higher education institutions will take shape and take its place in the “new normal”, it is possible to say that there are many risks and opportunities waiting for the higher education institutions. While developments in distance and digital learning may be considered as a big opportunity for the universities, travel restrictions, economic stagnation, problems faced in distance learning and obstacles which was encountered in the internationalization process of higher education may be considered as ominously awaiting risks for the higher education institutions.