The Straits Times Education Forum on "The evolving role of universities", to be held in partnership with SMU on Feb 10, will posit that universities should focus less on what they are good at, and more on what they are good for. The hybrid event will be moderated by ST's Singapore editor Zakir Hussain and will see Education Minister Chan Chun Sing deliver the keynote address. This will be followed by a panel discussion that will include Mr Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and SMU President Professor Lily Kong. Prof Kong said people are rethinking how they learn and work in pandemic times, how they might prosper in a new economy and whether the university experience is still relevant. She added that universities remain very relevant in preparing graduates for the new economy, and they play a vital civic role.