Alvin Toffler, an American writer, futurist, and businessman known for his works discussing modern technologies, once said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” That is indeed very true, especially in the context of the last couple of years. In the recent history of higher education, we never had a more difficult time than these two years. The pandemic forced us to think beyond the conventions and act diligently. It was a test of higher education leaders. Those who were ready to learn, unlearn and relearn graduated with flying colors.
When teachers and students had to apply adaptive strategies to the restrictions, it was even more challenging for academic leaders. They had to successfully engage all stakeholders – teachers, parents, students, and administrators- in decision-making and learning outcomes. Today, as the dust settles, top-level academicians have recognized the need to shift to a future-oriented focus on transformational change to sustain and advance their core missions. To make this a reality, educational institutions require senior leaders with an innovative mindset open to disruptions.
In his issue, we celebrate the success of academic leaders worldwide by presenting The 10 Inspiring Educational Leaders – 2022, who understand the values of relationship, connectivity, collective wisdom, collaboration, empathy, and adaptive risk-taking. They have not just created a conducive learning environment for their institutions but contributed to making this world a better place to live. We hope our efforts to bring their stories to the limelight will inspire a whole new generation aspiring to make a mark in the education arena.
Enjoy Reading.