On July 22, the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship was granted accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and officially became Minerva University. Described by the New York Times as “the future of college,” Minerva is known for its highly selective admissions process, active online learning pedagogy, and innovative education model. The institution was first established in 2012 by Ben Nelson, an inspired entrepreneur from California. Nelson formed the organization in hopes of reforming higher education through a practical and interdisciplinary curriculum that enables students to best learn and nurture skills demanded by the real world. Following Minerva University as its model, South Korea’s Taejae Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization that finances research on future governance and cities, is planning to fund and run a modern online university called Taejae University by March 2023. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, Taejae University, which is referred as “the Korean Minerva University,” will also provide students with opportunities "to study abroad through a hybrid residential model."

Minerva University highlights its mission, "Nurturing Critical Wisdom for the Sake of the World,” by providing four years of rigorous education in a globalized context. During their four years at Minerva, students study in small, seminar-styled classrooms while gaining practical experiences at seven major cities across the globe: San Francisco, Taipei, Seoul, Hyderabad, Berlin, Buenos Aires, and London. As Nelson has emphasized, "At Minerva, you live in the heart of seven metropolitan cities around the world," showcasing the institution as the future for higher education. Specifically, during their time at Minerva, students will develop vital skills needed to become an "analytical decision-maker, creative problem-solver, and an engaged world citizen." In brief, Minerva University attracts the world’s most brilliant and ambitious students, who are intellectually curious, deeply driven, and inspired by the complex challenge of making the world a better place.

What University Education Does for Character Building

University education lays the foundation for knowledge seekers, such as young adults. Its curriculum enables scholars to study, research, and collaborate over different fields. Mekelle University's Professor Sintayehu Kassaye Alemu mentioned in his research paper "The Meaning, Idea and History of University" that "Universitas was a name applied to diversified corporate bodies of the Middle Ages in Europe, including an organization of teachers and students.” This corporation evolved, becoming a Universitas litterarum, which was the formation of an educational institution familiar to the public nowadays. In the 18th century, the name "university" was derived and used worldwide, signifying the nurturing of intellectual power and methodological studies of multiple academic disciplines. In brief, the origins of universities gradually underwent transformations over the years to become an educational institution for all.

Nevertheless, the gap between expectations and reality is significant. Students have raised questions over whether a traditional university education serves their best interests or if the idea is only a scam. As stated by Charles Clarke, a British Labour Party politician, universities are eager to receive public funding without paying attention to the interest of the public. He suggests educational institutions should "lose their sense of entitlement" and instead engage in societal issues and divisions. In addition to these concerns, the pandemic has resulted in declining enrollment numbers and weakening financial support. During these dire conditions, students and parents have begun rethinking the value of universities. In an interview with Vox, Kevin Carey, the Director of the Education Policy Program at New America, reflected his suspicions on how there will be an increasing trend of students receiving education online even after the pandemic ceases. As a result, the necessity of university education and the meaning of higher education are questioned.

What Makes Minerva Different

While the true meaning of the traditional form of university education is being questioned, Minerva University invites students for an innovative, unique educational journey. Compared to the passive lectures ran by other traditional universities, Minerva University provides a newer and broader definition of hands-on learning. At Minerva, professors teach based on what cognitive and behavioral science suggests about how students can best learn, which is through active participation in class and deep engagement with course materials. Since inception, all Minerva classes are taught on the University’s intentionally-designed virtual learning environment, known as Forum™. On Forum™, all class are conducted in small seminars with less than 20 students each. In each class, Minerva professors serve more as a facilitator to guide students throughout discussions, debates, and collaborative works, which are hallmarks of Minerva’s active learning pedagogy. Moreover, built-in features on Forum™, such as instant polling on learning topics, small breakout sessions, individual feedback from professors, emojis, and class open chat, have together provided students with fulfilling learning experiences that are active in discussion, frequent in practice, and rapid in feedback. In short, Minerva University has for years, even before the breakout of the pandemic, been focusing on active learning via its virtual platform.

There is much in store for a young university like Minerva. The institution is faced with both positive responses and doubting critiques. Stepping aside from all, Hyoeun Lee, a freshman at Minerva University, mentions: "My life before joining Minerva has been a journey of moving around places, as I have a background of studying and living in three different countries since I was a kid— South Korea, Indonesia, and China." Although Lee recognizes the challenges in adapting to different cultures, new places, and uncertainties, she points out that she has "found the beauty of it," which is the initial reason that has gravitated her to Minerva at the first place and she is now very excited for her Minerva adventures coming ahead.

"No matter which city I currently live at, I can always take my classes on Forum™ at wherever I want to with just a laptop and WIFI." Lee further elaborates on how Minerva University helps students interact with and immerse into the city as a local citizen. She starts her day early at a local coffee shop meditating on bible verses and pre-class work. Other activities that she’s been involved with include: going on picnics with her residence assistant (RA) community and exploring the city while completing her location-based assignment (LBA). Under LBAs, students are given the opportunities to integrate elements of the city with skills and analytical tools learnt from diverse Minerva courses. Through Minerva's curriculum, Lee is able to "design where [she] wants to go and whom [she] wants to meet during her learning process the next four years." In addition, Lee is part of the Minerva’s Outreach Team, working to seek, inspire, and support prospective students to Minerva. In brief, through Minerva’s innovative education model, students are able to make meaningful and practical connections to both their online and offline learnings in different cultural and social contexts around the globe.

Minerva University is up and rising in transforming the traditional university education. It reminds the international community of the importance when it comes to active and experiential learning, connecting what’s learned in classroom to what’s demanded by the real world , and adapting to ever-changing world in the post-pandemic era. Being a very young school, there has been concerns regarding the future of Minerva’s graduates. However, the shift towards active and online learning and the establishment of Taejae University is reinforcing the idea that Minerva University is heading towards the right direction. It is safe to say that enough momentum has been built for an education revolution.