The principal and vice-chancellor of Glasgow University has called for a review of the funding of higher education.
Sir Anton Muscatelli said universities need a plan that could reshape both the courses they offer and the research they carry out.
Speaking to the BBC, he noted that introducing tuition fees for Scottish students is unlikely to gain political backing at Holyrood.
Instead, he argued, Scotland must first decide what it expects from its higher education system and then determine how to fund it.
He said: "It really is imperative that we don't stumble from year to year [but] think about how this is going to be shaped or resourced.
"We need a strategic plan as a country, which is why I suspect after 2026, there will need to be a look at the shape and size of the Scottish [university] sector.
"I hope this is done in a rational way. I strongly believe in a publicly-funded sector, I hope that can be achieved, but let's start with the question: what sector does Scotland need?"
His call comes before the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) publishes two key reports on Friday, examining the financial state of universities and further education colleges.
The reports, delayed since early this year, are expected to include the most up-to-date financial data through June.