Human learning within higher education is at a defining moment, as higher education institutions face unprecedented challenges due to social, economic, and technological changes. Amidst these, this study seeks to understand and explore the opportunities for fostering learning within higher education. This constitutes an exploration of the purpose of education, an investigation into the capabilities that underpin learning, and a consideration of the impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) on learning.

This is explored through in-depth conversations with nineteen educators and learners within higher education in Canada.

The study finds that the purpose of education lies at the intersection of the needs of the learner, society, and education’s own ideals. It also finds ten core capabilities as underpinning learning: Profound understanding, critical thinking, strategic thinking, collaboration and co-creation, resilience and tenacity, communication and dialogue, empathy, self-awareness, humility, and confidence.

This study concludes with a Learning Design Framework which is an idea generation tool to support interest holders within higher education in exploring initiatives that can foster learning.