2025

The global landscape of higher education is at a crossroads. We are witnessing models of internationalization where competition, rankings and profit rationales prevail. Additionally, we are being challenged by rising nationalism, populism and xenophobia, which threaten to restrain higher education’s openness to the world. Against this backdrop, this conference seeks to explore a more humane and inclusive approach to internationalisation. It aims to delve into a transformative vision of internationalisation that values global cooperation, equity and social responsibility and tries to reimagine the role of higher education in promoting a more equitable world, fostering intercultural understanding and advancing global citizenship. The following themes and topics will be explored:

Beyond Rankings, Competition and the Commodification of HE: The current paradigm of university internationalization is often driven by rankings, recruiting fee-paying international students and establishing campuses abroad. Higher education is viewed as a tradable commodity and a source of national income. International students are seen as a form of revenue by higher education institutions, whose sustainability increasingly depends on the fees these students pay. A new approach is paramount that prioritizes cooperative global partnerships over competitive frameworks.

Global Citizenship and Social Responsibility: Amid the instrumentalist narratives of international student mobility, there are growing calls for promoting global citizenship and intercultural competence. It is imperative for universities to create truly inclusive environments for international students (and not only), which celebrate diversity and multiculturalism and cultivate social responsibility in all students.

Global Solidarity: A central concern will be how universities as institutions can contribute to social responsibility and global solidarity. This includes integrating refugees and fostering partnerships that support social justice and greater equality.

Risks of Educational Colonialism and Homogenization: Internationalization, in its traditional form, has faced criticism for imposing Western educational practices and knowledges on other countries, leading to educational colonialism and homogenization. The conference will examine more inclusive approaches which can avoid these pitfalls by emphasizing intercultural partnerships, epistemic justice and the preservation of unique cultural identities.