Universities have indeed been key institutions in the development of education and research over the past century. However, the landscape of higher education is evolving rapidly in this century to meet the demands of a knowledge-based economy and a changing society. The modern university now must focus on teaching and research accompanying on promoting the popularization of science, preserving scientific culture, and providing services to the society in the direction of sustainable development. In some countries, universities are evolving into transnational corporations, bringing with them a shift towards an economic-focused discourse driven by the global market. This change was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and the development of cyberspace, which in many cases seems to have diverted higher education from the path of science and learning. A number of colleges and universities around the world have been forced to downsize or close their doors entirely. Some other countries seem to have adapted relatively quickly and made emergency investments in online technology, and it looks like a new renaissance in higher education is dawning.
The main task of higher education is to cultivate knowledgeable, capable and ethical human resources who can effectively lead society and uncover the mysteries of the natural world, human psychology, and the cosmos, utilizing these discoveries for the advancement of humanity and all living beings. When universities prioritize financial gain over their educational and research mission, scientific progress is hindered, and the exploration of hidden phenomena is limited.
Universities must not merely exploit existing knowledge, which has been obtained through education and research in the past, for economic ends but must also strive to acquire future knowledge through ongoing education and research to avoid regression. While artificial intelligence institutions are expanding, it is crucial to educate individuals who possess wisdom, reason, steering society towards a more ethical and transcendental path.
It is imperative to remain vigilant to prevent universities from becoming profit-driven enterprises and to actively support the advancement of science and the education of capable individuals. Governments and society must address the financial needs of universities to prevent them from being sidelined by economic pressures and to ensure they continue to lead the way in scientific discoveries and innovations.
 
                                                                                                                                          Ali A. Moosavi-Movahedi
                                                                                                                                                     Editor-in-Chief