The EAIE Conference 2024: Pioneering Journey to Transform Higher Education

How is higher education (HE) shaping the future of Europe and charting new pathways for global collaboration? The European Association of International Education’s Conference (EAIE) 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 European Universities alliances, a flagship initiative of the European Commission and its European Education Area since 2019, will come together and present themselves united at a major international conference, giving the opportunity to the international HE community to better understand the dimension of the European Universities Initiative, which is co-funding today a total of 64 Alliances or consortia of universities.

By showcasing their collaborative efforts and dynamising a series of joint activities, the Alliances take the stand as pioneers of a new paradigm of cooperation, 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, viewing HE as the catalyst for building a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable society.

This year's theme 

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 (see some highlights of sessions on page 3 of the attached document).

Highlight on the Globalization Potential of Alliances

Prior to 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 08:30 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. On a plenary session, European Universities alliances will discuss their 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.

About the EUA

The European Universities alliances are a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. They encompass 64 European Universities alliances with more than 560 higher education institutions of all types, from all across Europe. 

The EAIE Conference is the most important event dedicated to higher education in Europe and the second largest in the world. Its recent venues have been Barcelona (2022) and Rotterdam (2023), where the number of exhibitors and visitors exceeded 5000 participants each year showing that transnational cooperation is now a growing sector of influence and action in a more and more globalized and interconnected world of higher education systems. More info and full programme are available on the event's page.

Other news on the topic: 

EAIE24: Strong presence of CIVIS at top higher education event

Internationalisation of European Universities Alliances: the new frontiers

CIVIS at European Association for International Education Conference (EAIE24)