The challenge is not access alone

The discussion, moderated by University World News editor-in-chief Brendan O’Malley, featured Graeme Atherton, director of WAHEN, alongside Roberta Malee Bassett (World Bank), Pamela Dube (Central University of Technology, South Africa), and global higher education expert Jamil Salmi.

Atherton: Equity must be central, not peripheral

A central theme of the discussion, strongly emphasised by Graeme Atherton, was that inequalities in higher education access and outcomes are systemic and global. Drawing on WAHEN’s work, he highlighted that disparities by socio-economic background persist in every country, making equitable access one of the defining challenges facing higher education today.

Atherton argued that universities must move beyond a narrow focus on admissions and participation numbers, and instead adopt a broader approach encompassing student success, progression and outcomes. This includes addressing financial barriers, improving support systems, and embedding inclusion across institutional strategies.

He also underlined the importance of international collaboration and shared learning, core to WAHEN’s mission, as a way to accelerate progress. WAHEN works globally to convene institutions, policymakers and practitioners to exchange evidence, build capacity and drive systemic change in equitable access and success.

The role of systems, policy and innovation

The webinar explored how inclusive higher education systems contribute not only to individual opportunity but also to wider social cohesion, economic development and democratic stability.

Atherton emphasised that tackling inequality requires coordinated action across governments, institutions and networks. Policies need to align with institutional practices, while innovation, such as new pathways into higher education and more flexible learning models, can help reach under-represented groups more effectively.

The discussion also considered the risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Speakers agreed that AI could either widen or reduce inequalities, depending on how it is implemented, and called for deliberate, evidence based and equity-focused approaches.

Contributions from global experts

Other panellists provided complementary perspectives:

• Roberta Malee Bassett highlighted the importance of national policy frameworks and investment in building equitable tertiary education systems worldwide.
• Pamela Dube drew on institutional leadership experience to stress the need for universities to embed equity in their missions and daily practice.
• Jamil Salmi pointed to global evidence on what works in widening participation, including financial support, targeted policies and system-level reform.

Together, their contributions reinforced the importance of combining policy, institutional commitment and global collaboration.

WAHEN’s growing role

The webinar also reflected WAHEN’s expanding role as a global platform for advancing equitable access and student success. Through research, convening and advocacy, the network aims to ensure that higher education systems worldwide become more inclusive and responsive to diverse learners.

As Atherton noted, the challenge is not just to open the doors of higher education, but to create systems in which all students, regardless of background, can succeed and thrive.