About this Research Topic

Background

UNESCO and others have set ambitious goals for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all. This is also in line with EUs vision for universities without walls by 2030. The most realistic solution to this challenge may be a cross-campus organization, both within and between universities, where online and hybrid facilities are provided in an equitable manner for all students, independent of which campus or university they belong to. This solution would support students in local employment who are unable to relocate to a larger university city in order to further their education. A cross-campus solution would also benefit those who are unable to leave their home area due to their current economic situation, family obligations or other personal circumstances.

A cross-campus solution has the possibility of offering an increased quality education for students in remote locations as well as within larger cities. Students in remote locations are also able to participate in a wider variety of study programs and are able to interact with the best professors at the university. In addition, all students irrespective of their location are able to collaborate with students in other areas of the country, or internationally, and they can socialize with students at the local campus or at remote campuses. This solution allows for more diverse connections with the local and broader community allowing for more authentic real-world experiences.

A cross-campus setting that encourages quality online and hybrid educational environments promotes flexibility for students, thus allowing for greater participation, even if they occasionally are prevented from showing up at the local campus. From an institutional perspective, cross-campus scenarios may increase the number of students, and ensure a more economical and sustainable solution for smaller programs, thus allowing a wider variety of study programs at the universities.

We therefore believe that a cross-campus setting has the potential to increase the quality of education offered to students in both remote locations and larger cities. In this Research Topic we welcome contributions focused on (but not limited to) key-factors for increased quality education in cross-campus study programs that include online and hybrid learning environments.

Keywords: Cross-campus, Multi-campus, Hybrid learning environment, equitable quality education, lifelong learning

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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