896: An Innovative Learning Experience - with Riccardo Ocleppo, CEO & Founder, OPIT

The EdUp Experience: Revolutionizing Higher Education with OPIT Founder Riccardo Ocleppo

Dr. Lori Shanderson (00:00): 
Welcome back everybody. It's your time to EdUp on the EdUp Experience podcast where we make education your business. I am your special host today, Dr. Lori Shanderson, and our guest is Riccardo Ocleppo, founder and director of Open Institute of Technology (OPIT). Riccardo, you also founded DoxCity, a global community with 15 million registered university students that partners with over 250 universities and business schools worldwide. Thank you for joining us today!

Riccardo Ocleppo (01:08):
Thank you very much for hosting me. It's a big pleasure.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (01:23): 
Can you share your journey that led you to found OPIT and how your previous experience with DoxCity influenced that decision?

Riccardo Ocleppo (01:36):
DoxCity gave me an in-depth understanding of both what students are looking for in higher education and what institutions currently provide. We were able to partner with many universities globally, which revealed not only the good parts of higher education today, but also what is missing in terms of competencies and curriculum freshness. This made me think, why don't we start something radically new and launch our own higher education institution? After years of thought, this led to founding OPIT together with the former education minister and dean of Italy's most prestigious tech university.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (03:58):
How does OPIT differentiate itself from other educational platforms on the market?

Riccardo Ocleppo (04:22):
We had the privilege of starting from scratch, which allowed us to create a whole new learning experience tailored for the post-COVID, AI era. Traditional universities provide a lot of theory from great professors, but students graduate knowing little about the technologies and working methodologies used in industry. We wanted to overcome this by crafting degrees based on interviews with companies, market insights, and analysis from global organizations to ensure students gain the skills needed in the coming years. Throughout our courses, students get a combination of theory and hands-on practice.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (06:58):
With AI transforming industries, what kinds of opportunities and challenges are you finding at OPIT?

Riccardo Ocleppo (07:21):
We launched OPIT in 2022 before the release of ChatGPT, but we were fortunate to anticipate AI becoming the next big wave. Most of our programs integrate AI in different ways. For example, our Master's in Applied Data Science and AI focuses on using AI tools to solve real-world business problems. We have another Master's in Responsible AI that embeds ethics into the technical aspects. Our cybersecurity program looks at AI's impact on that field, and our digital business degree explores AI applications in a business context.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (09:56):
In the past decade, how has the landscape of online education changed from your perspective?

Riccardo Ocleppo (10:24):
Honestly, the industry has changed very little, which was okay in the past when competencies were more stable. But now with the convergence of AI, robotics, quantum computing and other technologies potentially disrupting the world as we've known it, skills will become obsolete much faster. So the slow pace of change in higher education is not aligned with what's ahead. Universities need to be more open, providing not just degrees but lifelong learning as professionals progress in their careers. Curriculum needs to adapt more quickly.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (13:15):
How do you ensure that the content on OPIT remains relevant and up-to-date with current educational and industry standards?

Riccardo Ocleppo (13:31): 
Rather than just teaching the latest trendy technologies, our mission is to build strong foundational skills that allow students to adapt as technology evolves. Technical abilities are coupled with soft skills like communication, project management and critical thinking. I believe the future of education is hybrid - not purely online or in-person. Many students want flexibility but also value the campus experience of meeting peers. So we plan to partner with existing institutions to create a win-win model blending the best of both.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (16:41):
What lessons did you learn from managing DoxCity's large number of students and partners? 

Riccardo Ocleppo (16:57):
One key thing I learned is the importance of brand for universities. To effectively attract students, institutions need a strong reputation and value proposition. That's a challenge we face building OPIT from scratch - consistently showing over time that we are a concrete institution here for the long run, not just hype. Another lesson is the need to be flexible as a business and adapt quickly to market feedback, especially in a fast-changing context. Universities should be more agile in responding to the market.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (18:58): 
As a new institution doing innovative things, how do you cultivate visibility for OPIT?

Riccardo Ocleppo (19:20):
It's a 360-degree strategy. A lot of effort goes into building credibility - you can have the best academic offering, but if you don't communicate it well, you won't reach people and fulfill your mission. Of course the product itself, the whole learning experience, has to be excellent. But we also work hard to establish OPIT's brand and help people understand us before they enroll. This involves actively managing our social media, showcasing student success stories, hosting webinars with professors and guest speakers, and more.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (21:40):
What are your future plans for OPIT? Where do you see it evolving in the next five years? 

Riccardo Ocleppo (21:55):
Our big dream is to become a well-rounded university, which means expanding into other key areas beyond teaching. We want to build a strong research component, bring in more full-time professors, offer PhD programs - really show the market we are here for the long haul. We'll undertake the necessary investments to create a solid institution that fully accomplishes our mission. I believe this will indirectly lead to growth in student enrollments, but it's not a direct equation. The focus is on establishing OPIT as an enduring leader in higher education.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (24:13): 
Is there anything else you'd like to mention to our listeners?

Riccardo Ocleppo (24:24):
Just that I appreciate the opportunity to share the behind-the-scenes of our degree programs and decision-making process. I'll mention that applications are open for our fall intake starting mid-September. To learn more, visit our website OPIT.com or connect with us on social media.

Dr. Lori Shanderson (24:58): 
Well, thank you again Riccardo for this fascinating discussion! And there you have it everyone - you've just been EdUpped. I'm Dr. Lori Shanderson, and stay tuned for more great episodes of the EdUp Experience!