Fierce Education Exclusive: EdX CEO Discusses Future of Higher Ed

Fierce Education Head of Content Elliot Markowitz recently spoke with Dr. Anant Agarwal, CEO of edX, regarding the current state of the higher education market and its future.

edX is a leading online learning platform and recently reached an agreement to be acquired by 2U, a leader in education technology, for a whopping $800 million in cash. Together, 2U and edX would reach more than 50 million learners globally, serve more than 230 partners, and offer over 3,500 digital programs on the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online education marketplace.

During the interview Dr. Agarwal discussed:

  • The acceleration of the blended learning environment in higher education and what that means to edX.
  • The impact that Covid-19 has had on higher education and the acceptance of online and unbundled learning.
  • How the blended learning environment and unbundling of education is changing the business model of colleges and universities.
  • The new normal. College students may be going back to campus, but they are not going back to business as usual. The higher education market has changed forever, and for the good.
  • The pending acquisition of edX by 2U and what that means to the future of MOOCs and the online learning experience.
  • Some of the technology behind EdX and the role EdifyOnline plays.
  • Future courses being made available through EdifyOnline