While it is no surprise that David Willetts, the universities minister, is keen to introduce innovative technologies in our universities, with lectures being held over the internet and using online textbooks in which students write ‘margin’ notes as they read them and the lecturer immediately comments on their thoughts, I wonder how this will eventually transform our universities, how they will function by the year 2030.

While we must certainly embrace technological advancements, the belief of futurist Thomas Frey, according to a study based on US data,  is that as a result, “it is estimated that by 2020, 80% of all college education will happen online, and 50 % of all college campuses will either have closed or be transitioning into a different kind of institution.”

Are we preparing for this too here in the UK?

David Willetts has just returned from a tour of universities and technology companies in America, and is quoted in today’s Sunday Times as saying “We are at a tipping point. I believe we are on the verge of technology making major changes to students experience of higher education.”

How many of our universities can expect to close in the next decade or two as we embrace these major technological changes, if Frey’s assessment is correct, highlighted in his report, Rethinking Education?

I came across Frey’s views in a report, Knowledge Without Borders, by the GEANT Expert Group. I have recently been promoting the bright women in leadership roles who are delivering the GEANT internet network globally to enable research communities to enable them collaborate on ground-breaking research through its powerfully fast bandwidth connectivity of 40 gps, which will increase to 100 gbs this summer. It’s part of the European Commissions 2020 Digital Agenda.

The GEANT report adds: “While talk of “the end of going to college” may be premature, the direction of travel is clear and the education system of 2030 will certainly be very different to that of today.”

It’s clearly not a matter of what innovative technology will transform our universities, but when. Could half of our universities close too?

Are today’s students the last intake who will actually have to get up and go to lectures?