[tungstenfurnace]

Educate students -- lecturing doesn't work. Best is working from the best material in small groups of peers and having help available from graduate students.

Socialise students -- learning to get on with people is best done with friends.

Networking -- done online.

Research and innovation -- yes. that's what universities are about.

Optimum path for students is now online self-study undergraduate degree. Can complete quickly or as slowly as required. Then go to university if you want to do a PhD.