Track 6: Internationalisation of Higher Education

Especially in challenging times, HEIs’ relevance to global development and its contribution to societal, economic, and environmental transformation is undisputed. The higher education landscape finds itself more than ever in times of upheaval (post COVID-19 pandemic, war, resource scarcity, digitalisation, …) and functioning coping strategies, international alliances, and networks among HEIs are needed to tackle the impact of change.

Some current challenges related to internationalisation of HEIs are:

• Declining student figures in several countries

• Financial limitations & competition between institutions

• Student and staff mobility in post COVID-19 pandemic & war times

• Increased costs of travel and living

• …..

Thus, this track invites papers dealing with HEIs’ internationalisation approaches and their contribution to transformation in higher education:

• In which way are internationalisation strategies and activities contributing to societal, economic, and environmental transformation?

• How can HEIs shape and define their global impact?

• What is the role of internationalisation of higher education for developing/emerging countries?

• How can internationalisation of higher education transform actors to develop new perspectives and become “global citizens”?

• Which opportunities of transformation and capacity building exist with respect to internationalisation of higher education?

• Which opportunities of transformation through teaching and learning can be seen in intercultural/international settings?

• How can student and staff mobility (teaching and non-teaching) be fostered in times of insecurity and change? How about the mobility of ‘second chance education’ or part-time students?

• How can the needs of immigrant and refugee populations be addressed in internationalisation?

• How can access to and equity in internationalisation activities be ensured?

• How can internationalisation of higher education become more carbon-neutral and environmentally friendly?

• Which strategies exist, or can be developed, for the recruitment and retention of international staff members in HEIs?