Until the last half of the 20th Century, global systems operated under a condition of resource and energy surplus. These conditions provided a competitive advantage to human systems analogous to R-type biological systems that grew fast, operated inefficiently, and maximized short-term yield. They did not develop fine-tuned relationship with context or invest into the systems upon which they depended. Human systems that grew in this period operated inefficiently and produced large amounts of waste. Institutions of higher education in the U.S., Brazil and globally, prepared graduates to compete within this R-type world.
In the last half of the 20th Century, global conditions shifted to resource and fossil fuel scarcity. The competitive advantage shifted to K-type systems characterized by resource optimization, systems integration, and fine-tuned relationships. Unfortunately, due to a history of success through R-type growth; and major investments in R-type infrastructure, human systems and community development did not shift to K-type production. Reticence to change was extended into the future by higher education which continued to prepare students to pursue R-type growth.
There is a profound need to realign human systems with the condition of resource and energy paucity, and for higher education to develop graduates who lead society to K-type integration with local conditions. Universities of the Future address this need in existing universities and in a new generation of universities. The US-Brazil Universities of the Future Consortium USBUFC pursues this goal as educational overlays to degrees the students receive in their institutions and disciplines. In addition, USBUFC institutions pursue creation of a new generation of universities with the Mission of addressing 21st Century challenges and the goal of realigning human systems with local and regional conditions of resource and energy paucity.