From Career Upskilling to Lifelong Learning: A Q&A with 2U's Anant Agarwal

• 01/08/24

We aim to make edX a comprehensive learning platform where learners can return at different stages of their lives for upskilling, reskilling, and personal growth.

Grush: What changes do you see in the future of the edX platform?

Agarwal: Looking ahead, I see edX becoming even more personalized and learner-centric. We're exploring AI-driven personalization to tailor learning experiences to individual needs. Additionally, we plan to expand our partnerships with both industry and academia to offer more diverse and relevant courses, and to integrate hands-on learning experiences further.

Grush: This industry is driven by credentials such as degrees and certificates. What have you done in terms of credentialing for modular and stackable learning for the future?

Agarwal: The Fifth Industrial Revolution is rapidly transforming industries and jobs, leaving professionals to keep updating, diversifying, and developing new skill sets in order to remain relevant, adaptable, and competitive. This means that lifelong learning is no longer optional, and higher education must deliver learning opportunities that empower people to work and learn in tandem throughout their careers.

Lifelong learning is no longer optional, and higher education must deliver learning opportunities that empower people to work and learn in tandem throughout their careers.

A bachelor's degree remains a key academic milestone and positive indicator of career success and income potential. However, it is not the only way for professionals to signal to employers that they have the skills and drive needed to sustain a successful career. While a four-year degree is the path for some, it's not the path for all. Unbundling common education packages like a bachelor's degree into more manageable chunks, what we call modular learning, is one of many ways that 2U is reimagining how education is delivered for the future, now.

A modular approach can significantly reduce educational cycle time by partitioning learning into smaller, Lego-like building blocks, each with their own stackable credentials and skills outcomes. edX's Professional Certificate, MicroBachelors, and MicroMasters programs are helping put career-relevant skills in the hands of learners in a matter of months, not years. And these modular credentials can provide pathways into degrees as well. The educational possibilities are endless with a modular and stackable approach. Along with our academic and corporate partners, we're keeping our fingers on the pulse of today's most in-demand skills and working to bring additional topics to learners.

Grush: As you consider the long list of edX accomplishments, what are you most proud of?

Agarwal: Reflecting on edX's journey, I am most proud of its continued impact on democratizing education. Our global online learning platform now connects more than 81 million people from all over the world to thousands of online programs to meet every professional moment. We've helped make high-quality education accessible by breaking down barriers related to cost, location, and access. Seeing learners from all walks of life achieve their learning goals and transform their lives through education is incredibly fulfilling and motivates us to continue our mission.