EELISA is proud to announce its official participation in the prestigious EAIE (European Association for International Education) Conference, set to take place in Toulouse, France, from 17-20 September. This landmark event will bring together, for the first time, over twenty European Universities Alliances, representing more than 200 higher education institutions.
The event will feature 18 sessions hosted by European Alliances as part of the official programme, offering in-depth discussions on critical topics shaping the future of higher education. A dedicated side event on internationalisation of European Universities Alliances will also provide a comprehensive opportunity to delve into the reality of this pioneering initiative. EELISA will be present in the Conference’s exhibition area through their partners’stands.
By joining this prominent international forum, EELISA reaffirms its commitment to advancing educational excellence, driving impactful research, and strengthening partnerships within the global academic community.
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SHOWCASING THE PIONEERING JOURNEY TO TRANSFORM HIGHER EDUCATION
How is Higher Education shaping the future of Europe and charting new pathways for global collaboration? The European Association of International Education’s Conference in Toulouse will provide a unique opportunity to explore answers to this question, and many more, with real-life examples, testimonials, and facts. This is the very first time that the European Universities Alliances, a flagship initiative of the European Commission and its European Education Area since 2019, will come together and present themselves in a united way at a major international conference, allowing the international HE community to better understand the dimension of the European Universities Initiative, which is co-funding today a total of 64 Alliances.
By showcasing their collaborative efforts and dynamizing a series of joint activities European Universities Alliances will take the stand as pioneers of a new paradigm of cooperation in Higher Education, paving their way to a leading role in shaping the global landscape of academia and research. They will also provide insight into their contributions as key actors in a transformative approach aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), viewing Higher Education as the catalyst for building a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable society.
Inspired by the EAIE Conference’s theme En Route!, the Alliances will disseminate their objectives and actions, share the impact created, and communicate information regarding the results achieved by them on topics such as mobility or new joint programs. They will also present the steps taken toward the innovative and unprecedented European Degree, a new type of degree awarded jointly by a group of universities across Europe and automatically recognized in the EU.
All these efforts will underline an inspiring model for transnational collaboration even amidst challenging times of global conflict.
The Alliances are also offering, as part of the EAIE conference’s programme of activities, a series of sessions covering a wide range of subjects, demonstrating their commitment to innovation in higher education and research.
HIGHLIGHT ON THE GLOBALIZATION POTENTIAL OF ALLIANCES
Before the initiation of the EAIE Conference, there will be an opportunity to witness the Alliances in joint dialogue at a special side event hosted by the Université de Toulouse and la Région Occitanie on September 17, 2024, at the Hôtel de Région Occitanie from 08:45 to 13:00. Titled “Internationalisation of European Universities Alliances: the new frontiers”, the event will explore why and how European Universities Alliances build strategic partnerships with institutions and stakeholders beyond the European Union. A plenary session will discuss strategies and approaches and present case studies about how alliances can forge successful international connections. Two other sessions will examine partnerships with Ukrainian institutions amidst conflict and post-war reconstruction, as well as cooperation with African partners. This gathering aims to facilitate dialogue between Alliances, non-European higher education institutions, and European, national, and regional policymakers to explore which are the current state of play and the possible pathways of alliances’ internationalisation.
To access the 18 sessions offered by European Universities Alliances, check EAIE program and a list of highlighted sessions here.