Education Revolution: Shai Reshef President Of ‘University Of The People’ On Innovative Approaches That Are Transforming Education
An interview with Eden Gold
…I believe online education side by side with traditional universities is the future — it’s flexible, scalable, and research shows it’s as effective as face-to-face learning. We’re hoping governments and organizations will want to replicate our model, especially in places with limited access to higher education. For example, in Nigeria, millions of qualified students can’t get a university seat, but online education can accommodate everyone — there’s no limit to the number of students in a virtual classroom. I think within five to ten years, the majority of US students will be studying online, and the rest of the world will follow…
The landscape of education is undergoing a profound transformation, propelled by technological advancements, pedagogical innovations, and a deepened understanding of learning diversities. Traditional classrooms are evolving, and new modes of teaching and learning are emerging to better prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. This series will take a look at the groundbreaking work being done across the globe to redefine education. As a part of this interview series, we had the pleasure to interview Shai Reshef.
Shai Reshef is the President of University of the People (UoPeople), a tuition free, accredited online university. Reshef has over 25 years of experience in the international education market. Reshef has been widely recognized for his work with UoPeople, including being awarded the 2023 Yidan Prize for Educational Development, referred to as the Nobel Prize for Education.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share the “backstory” behind what brought you to this particular career path?
I started out in for-profit education in Europe, running a company with hundreds of thousands of students and dozens of programs. That’s where I saw firsthand how transformative education can be — if you want to change a life, educate a person. And if you want to change the world, educate many. In the late 1990s, I realized the internet could make higher education accessible globally. I actually launched the first online university in Europe in partnership with the University of Liverpool. After selling the University and the rest of my companies, I wanted to give back. I saw that with open-source technology, Open Educational Resources, and professors willing to volunteer, I could create a university that opened the gates of higher education to all. That’s how University of the People was born.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
On the very first day we started teaching at University of the People in 2009, I saw a Facebook post from a student in Kenya: “I’m a poor kid from Kenya, now I feel like a rich American going to an American university.” That moment captured exactly why I created the university — for students like him. Since then, I’ve learned two big lessons: First, I was amazed by the sheer amount of goodwill out there — thousands of volunteers from all over the world wanted to help. Second, I was surprised by how hard it is to spread the word. Even now, getting people to know about us remains a challenge.
Can you briefly share with our readers why you are an authority in the education field?
I’ve spent decades building and leading educational organizations, including pioneering online higher education in Europe and now running University of the People, which serves over 150,000 students globally. I helped create the OPM (Online Program Management) trend in higher education, and I’ve shown that high-quality, accredited online education can be delivered at a fraction of the traditional cost.
Can you identify some areas of the US education system that are going really great?
The US higher education system stands out for its variety and abundance of opportunity. Whether you want a large or small college, a liberal arts environment, a city or rural campus — there’s something for everyone. The academic freedom and investment in research make the US system world-class; that’s why students from all over the world want to come here.
Can you identify the key areas of the US education system that should be prioritized for improvement? Can you explain why those are so critical?
The biggest problem is cost — higher education has simply become unaffordable for too many people. While a handful of elite universities will always have demand, the rest of the system needs to rethink both what it offers and at what price. We need more affordable options and a range of models, from highly resourced, expensive universities to lean, affordable ones like University of the People. Students should be able to choose what fits their needs and budgets, with a clear understanding of what they’re getting for their money.
Please tell us all about the innovative educational approaches that you are using. What is the specific problem that you aim to solve, and how have you addressed it?
At University of the People, we provide accredited, tuition-free online education using open-source technology, Open Educational Resources, and a global network of volunteers. Our mission is to remove barriers — cost, geography, and social circumstances — so anyone, anywhere can access higher education. We’re focused on serving people who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance: those who can’t afford traditional universities, who live far from campuses, or who face social or political barriers (like women in Afghanistan or refugees).
In what ways do you think your approach might shape the future of education? What evidence supports this?
I believe online education side by side with traditional universities is the future — it’s flexible, scalable, and research shows it’s as effective as face-to-face learning. We’re hoping governments and organizations will want to replicate our model, especially in places with limited access to higher education. For example, in Nigeria, millions of qualified students can’t get a university seat, but online education can accommodate everyone — there’s no limit to the number of students in a virtual classroom. I think within five to ten years, the majority of US students will be studying online, and the rest of the world will follow.
How do you measure the impact of your innovative educational practices on students’ learning and well-being?
I look at several things: how many students we serve, how many we help advance (even if they leave before graduating because they get a better job), our graduation rates, and what our alumni go on to do — many work at top companies like Apple, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and the World Bank, or continue to graduate school. Every student whose life improves because of us is a success.
What challenges have you faced in implementing your educational innovations, and how have you overcome them?
Spreading the word, raising funds, overcoming skepticism, and achieving accreditation were all major challenges. Persistence has been key, along with building a strong network of supporters and volunteers. I never expected so much goodwill from volunteers, but I also underestimated how hard it would be to get people to notice us and believe in our mission.
What are your “5 Things I Wish I Knew When I First Started”?
- How hard it would be to spread the word
- How challenging fundraising would be
- The level of skepticism we’d face
- How tough accreditation is
- The huge amount of need for better educational options
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Never give up.” I’m like the Energizer Bunny — I keep going no matter the obstacles. I tell young people and entrepreneurs: try to leave the world a little better than you found it. That’s what drives me, and that’s what I hope everyone will do in their own way
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can visit the University of the People’s website or follow us on social media for updates and stories from our global community of students.
Thank you so much for these insights! This was so inspiring!
Education Revolution: Shai Reshef President Of ‘University Of The People’ On Innovative Approaches… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.