EAIE Podcast

Although the international student mobility sector has always been in flux, it feels as if change and disruption have been more acutely a part of our lives since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Policy rollercoasters’ have been apparent in a wide range of countries around the world, including the Netherlands, the UK, Canada, and Australia. A ‘whiplash effect’ brought on by changing policies has a huge effect on students, administrators, institutions and the sector as a whole. It also raises lots of questions, but who has the answers?In this episode of the EAIE podcast, we welcome Alex Usher, President of Higher Education Strategy Associates and a well-known expert on the Canadian IHE sector, and Jogvan Klein, Director, Future Students, at the University of Queensland and Chair of the Australian Universities International Directors Forum (AUIDF). These two experts share some key insights into the how and the why of the shifting policy landscapes for international student mobility specifically in Canada and Australia. How do they understand the policy dynamics we’re witnessing in these major international student destination countries? And what would they do if they were in the policy driver’s seat? About Alex UsherAlex Usher is the President of Higher Education Strategy Associates. An internationally recognized expert on a range of fields within higher education, including student financial aid, quality measurement, rankings and public financing, he has wide experience in strategic planning at both the institutional and system level. Alex is the lead author of the annual higher education almanac The State of Post-Secondary Education in Canada and the co-author of the premier statistical handbook on global tertiary education: World Higher Education: Institutions, Students and Funding. He authors a free daily intelligence e-mail, One Thought to Start Your Day and regularly engages with fans and critics alike on Twitter (@alexusherhesa). Prior to founding Higher Education Strategy Associates, Alex served as the Director of Educational Policy Institute Canada and Director of Research and Program Development at the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.About Jogvan KleinJogvan Klein joined The University of Queensland (UQ) in July 2023 as the Director, Future Students, leading the University’s global student recruitment activities. Prior to joining UQ, Jogvan was the Director, International Recruitment at Swinburne University of Technology (2019-2023) and Director, International at RMIT University Vietnam (2016-2019) and has held previous senior positions at RMIT University and La Trobe University. He is also the current Chair of the Australian Universities International Directors Forum (AUIDF), a national membership-based organisation of Australian international university leaders and immediate past Chair of the Victorian Universities International Forum (VUIF). A native of the Faroe Islands, Jogvan holds an MA and a BA from Aarhus University in Denmark and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ 3 steps to influencing policy development→ Larissa Bezo: Catching up on Canada→ Phil Honeywood: Australia’s post-pandemic path→ One Thought to Start Your Day→ The Koala News→ Future Campus

In January 2023, the EAIE discussed internationalisation's definitions and the need for change with Oxford's Professor Simon Marginson. Following this, Hans de Wit critiqued existing definitions in a Journal of Studies in International Education (JSIE) essay, urging a shift in focus towards guiding the phenomenon's direction rather than defining it.Which directions should we move in? What emerging views and different voices within the field should we pay more attention to? In this episode of the EAIE podcast, host Laura Rumbley talks to Hans de Wit, Professor Emeritus, Distinguished Fellow, and former director of the Boston College ‘Center for International Higher Education’ (CIHE) and Santiago Castiello Gutierrez, Assistant Professor of higher education at Seton Hall University in the United States How can we begin to shape a new and better definition of ‘internationalisation’ fit for the future? What excites or worries these two internationalisation researchers as they consider the current realities in policy and practice?About Hans de WitHans de Wit is Professor Emeritus, Distinguished Fellow, and former director of the Boston College ‘Center for International Higher Education’ (CIHE). He is a Senior Fellow of the International Association of Universities (IAU). He was director of the ‘Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation’ (CHEI) in Milan, and Professor of Internationalization of HE Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. He is a Founding member/past president of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), founding Editor of the ‘Journal of Studies in International Education’, and consulting Editor Policy Reviews in Higher Education. He has published many books, articles and blogs on internationalisation of higher education and advised institutions, agencies, governments and international organisations such as the European Commission and Parliament, UNESCO, World Bank and OECD. About Santiago Castiello GutierrezSantiago Castiello Gutierrez, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of higher education at Seton Hall University in the Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy. He is also current co-chair of the Critical Internationalization Studies Network and Associate Editor for the Critical Internationalization Studies Review. Dr. Castiello-Gutiérrez is a scholar-practitioner whose work is centred on the intersection of organizational theory around higher education institutions, their global interconnectedness, and current global policies and practices of internationalization of higher education. As a practitioner he has 15 years of experience serving as administrator of international programs for institutions in Mexico and the United States. For his work as a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Castiello-Gutiérrez was awarded a 2019 Harold Josephson Award for Professional Promise in International Education by the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ ‘Everything That Quacks is Internationalization’ - Critical Reflections on the Evolution of Higher Education Internationalization’→ Critical Internationalisation Studies Network→ Research with International Students→ Global Collective for Study Abroad Researchers and Administrators → Simon Marginson: Redefining internationalisation

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in February 2022, the EAIE has engaged in a series of conversations with two Ukrainian higher education institutions, Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU),  In observance of the two-year anniversary of the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the EAIE reconnected with these institutions, but this time in conversation with two students: Olha Tolmachova, an undergraduate at UCU, and Violetta Seleznova, a KNU doctoral student.EAIE podcast host Laura Rumbley chats with Olha and Violetta about how their lives as students have been affected by the longer history of conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the more recent events of the past two years. What have these students experienced during these intensely difficult times, and how do they deal with everything that is thrown their way? We also zoom in on two interesting projects Olha and Violetta have been involved in an English-language course organised at UCU called 'Road to Recovery,' which seeks solutions for Ukraine's renewal, and an internationally award-winning research project at (KNU), focused on mental health issues amongst Ukrainian students. About Olha TolmachovaOlha Tolmachova is a fourth-year political science student at Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU). Leading the Model UN Club at UCU, Olha served as the Head Delegate for the Ukrainian delegation at the National Model United Nations conference in New York in April 2022. Earlier in 2023, Olha, together with her peers, received the New World Award from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), recognising their outstanding leadership skills and commitment to global citizenship, fostering intercultural understanding within the NMUN Project. As a Ukrainian Catholic University Ambassador for the CIVICA for Ukraine project, Olha demonstrated dedication to international collaboration, specifically on Ukraine's Recovery and Modernisation topics. Currently, Olha is working on her BA thesis on the European Integration processes, focusing on EU accession negotiations.About Violetta SeleznovaVioletta Seleznova has a Master of Arts diploma in Economics and is currently a PhD student at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She has been an internally displaced person since 2014, as her hometown continues to be under Russian occupation. She is working on a dissertation thesis about mental predictors of consumer behaviour and participating in a nationwide research project about mental health protection of Ukrainian students during and after the war.  Next to her academic life, Violetta has been working as an analyst and marketing specialist for over seven years. She spent five years working at a media consulting agency studying Russian propaganda and for the last two years as a strategic marketing specialist at the Public Broadcaster of Ukraine.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ The battle for mental well-being in Ukraine: mental health crisis and economic aspects of mental health services in wartime → UCU ‘Road to Recovery’ course→ EAIE: Ukraine support and resources page

Over the past few years, the EAIE Podcast has paid particular attention to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on 11 February. This day promotes the full and equal access and participation of females in the fields of science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics. It also serves as a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in the global science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.In this podcast episode, host Laura Rumbley is joined by Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE who is a standout example of a successful female scientist. While she has served as President of FEMS, the Federation of European Microbiological Scientists, and is now an Honorary Distinguished Professor at Cardiff University (Wales) and Visiting Professor at Bangor University (Wales), she has faced real challenges as a woman scientist over the course of her career. Professor Lappin-Scott shares her own experiences, while also reflecting on the importance of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the positive power of mentorship, and what remains to fight for when it comes to equity for women in the world of science moving forward.  About Hilary Lappin-ScottProfessor Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE is an Honorary Distinguished Professor at Cardiff University and a Visiting Professor at Bangor University. She has served as President of the Federation of European Microbiology Societies (FEMS), President of the Microbiology Society and President of the International Society of Microbial Ecology (ISME), the only person to have held the presidency of all three of these organisations. She was previously the Senior Pro Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, leading the research and innovation strategy, while as a Professor in Environmental Microbiology at the University of Exeter, she trained over 50 people to successfully complete research degrees in microbial ecology. In 2018, she was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List for services to Microbiology and the advancement of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. She has also received the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) STEM Hero Award (2016) and Chwarae Teg 'STEM Pioneer' Award (2017).Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ United Nations: International Day of Women and Girls in Science→ TEDx TALKS: MOVE OVER BOYS - Why we need more girls/women in STEM Careers→ Nicole Williams and Helen Whitehead: Women changing the world of science→ Expanding the roles of women in STEM→ Gender inequality in higher education: lessons from Ireland 

ChatGPT, artificial intelligence, chat prompts… It’s 2024, and whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence and all the challenges and opportunities that come with it are here to stay. Like many others, the EAIE is captivated by the developments in relation to artificial intelligence and what impact it will or could have on international higher education, in particular. During the 2023 EAIE conference in Rotterdam, a very successful Campfire session took place on the possible positive uses of ChatGPT in our daily work, and in this podcast episode, we once again take the opportunity to look at the uses of AI within the international higher education sector, from a practical perspective.Where do people new to this topic get started? What are some of the guests’ personal experiences and tips to share related to AI? And what’s on the horizon, what are some developments worth paying attention to at this moment in time? Join podcast host Laura Rumbley and her guests to hear how real people in our field are experimenting with AI and thinking about its possibilities.About Cynthia AlbyCynthia Alby is a Professor of Teacher Education at Georgia College, USA, a public liberal arts university. Her primary research questions revolve around reimagining education and reenchanting learning so both teachers and students can flourish. She is co-author of ‘Learning that matters: A field guide to course design for transformative education’, and for more than 20 years, she has also developed Georgia faculty through the ‘Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program’ at the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia.About Sandra SlotteSandra Slotte is Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalisation, at Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland. She is Secretary of the institution’s Internationalisation Group and collaborates and presents regionally, nationally and internationally in matters regarding internationalisation of higher education. On top of her work, she is pursuing a PhD in the field. She chaired the EAIE Expert Community for Strategy and Management's well-visited campfire session on the positive side, and fun uses of, ChatGPT in international higher education, at the 2023 EAIE conference. She also uses generative AI tools in her administrative work and for research, as well as for collaborative and co-creative tasks as a project manager.About Jeroen OuburgJeroen Ouburg works at Wageningen University & Research for the department of Corporate Strategy & Accounts focusing on strategic international institute to institute collaboration in the field of higher education. He has been a member in different (inter)national networks stimulating the internationalisation of higher education from a policy and strategic point of view. For example, contributing to the integration of refugees in the higher education sector across Europe, developing ministerial funding programmes for collaboration with the Global South and developing European University Alliances. Jeroen has been active in different steering groups of the EAIE, most recently as a part of the steering group of the Strategy & Management Expert Community.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ Allan Goodman: AI and student mobility​→ How AI is shaking up higher education→​​​​​​ A curated list of resources on AI (as mentioned in the episode)→​ How to Write Better ChatGPT Prompts

Happy New Year! We find ourselves at the start of a new calendar year, 2024, which is usually a moment in time for people to think of (and try to stick to) new year resolutions. Many professionals in the international higher education field struggle with managing their workload, and it can feel as if there are not enough hours in the day. There's a whole new year filled with possibilities on our doorstep; how can we try and make the best of it in a professional context?In this episode of the EAIE podcast, we talk to productivity coach Jim Hetherton who has helped many thousands of people to improve the way they work. Podcast host Laura Rumbley asks Jim several questions, including: can new year resolutions actually work? What are some of the life skills people could focus on trying to master in the new year, and what tips are there to accomplish this? And is there a particular secret to productivity that Jim thinks we should take to heart? Make sure to have a productive start to your professional year, and don’t miss out on this podcast episode!About Jim HethertonJim Hetherton is a successful consultant, lecturer, and trainer, having held leadership & management positions in the leading retailer in Europe – Tesco; prior to joining OnTrack, he established the Franklin Quest, later to become Franklin Covey Europe. He has extensive experience in sales, sales management and learning and development, including head office positions.With a delivery style which is continually described by delegates as ‘inspirational and life-changing’, he has helped many thousands of people to improve the way they work. He has worked with people at all levels from a wide range of organisations, including GE, Jaguar Cars, Barclays Bank, Bass, Lehman Brothers, BP, Merrill Lynch HBOS, Hewlett Packard, Royal Bank of Scotland, Vodafone Merck & other FTSE 100 companies. He is particularly recognized for his efforts in developing individual performance and increasing personal productivity.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ 6 ways to overcome stress while managing risk​→ Coaching students towards emotional health→ Sabine Pendl & Wessel Meijer: Managing staff, cultivating talent→​​​​​​ AI tool ‘Ask Graham’

In this last EAIE podcast episode of the year 2023, we are honoured to welcome a special guest who has made a real difference to the EAIE and the international higher education community over the years. Hans-Georg van Liempd is currently the Secretary of the University and Director University Services at Tilburg University, the Netherlands, and in the past, served as both Vice-President and President of the EAIE. More recently, he was the recipient of the 2023 EAIE Award for Outstanding Contribution in recognition of all his valuable contributions.Volunteering can be a very rewarding effort but also one that takes up energy and time. In this episode, host Laura Rumbley talks to Hans-Georg van Liempd about his career and the give and take of involvement in the international higher education community. How did he start in the field? How did he become aware of the EAIE, and what encouraged him to get involved? What exactly keeps someone motivated to give their time and energy to volunteer? As the end of the year comes closer, we take some time to reflect on what we can gain by giving. Be sure to tune in to this episode of the EAIE podcast to hear more!About Hans-Georg van LiempdHans-Georg van Liempd has been the Secretary of the University and Director University Services at Tilburg University, the Netherlands, since February 2021. He previously held the positions of Managing Director at the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, director of the International Office, senior programme manager for internationalising the campus and corporate social responsibility, and director of strategy and policy. He was involved as an expert on international strategy on a one-year project for the Romanian government for internationalising strategy at 21 Romanian universities. He holds a Master’s degree in economics.From 2010 to 2014, Hans-Georg served as Vice-President and then President of the EAIE. Prior to being elected as Vice-President, he served on the Conference Programme and Professional Development Committees. After his presidency and time in the General Council, he has continued to actively contribute to the Association. He has been a trainer, member of the Awards and Talent Committee, and advisor to the Mentorship Programme, among other behind-the-scenes responsibilities. He has never hesitated in sharing his time or knowledge to support the EAIE community and wider sector.Hans-Georg van Liempd is the recipient of the 2023 EAIE Award for Outstanding Contribution in recognition of all these valuable contributions.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ EAIE Awards: recognising the extraordinary in our sector→ ‘EAIE-ing’: a dedicated member’s personal journey→ EAIE Mentorship Programme

Sustainability continues to be a topic that is top of mind within the international higher education field. Earlier this year, the winners of the International Green Gown Awards were announced, an initiative that recognizes exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by higher education institutions across the world. In the category ‘Sustainability Institution of the Year’, there were two European winners: University College Cork (Ireland) won the award, while UniLaSalle (France) received the ‘highly commended’ honour. Two institutions with inspiring and practical examples of how international education can tackle climate action.EAIE podcast host Laura Rumbley talked to Maria Kirrane, Head of Sustainability and Climate Action at University College Cork, and Thomas Hull, the Head of International Relations for the Rennes (France) campus of Institut Polytechnique UniLaSalle. What exactly are the profiles of these universities, and what are their environmental action highlights? How does each institution look at environmental sustainability in the context of international student and staff mobility, and are there particular synergies between their climate action aspirations and internationalisation agendas? And what are some of the key challenges and opportunities ahead for their HEIs and others to advance the work of environmental sustainability?About Thomas HullThomas Hull is the Head of International Relations for the Rennes (France) Campus of an Engineering school called Institut Polytechnique UniLaSalle. Thomas holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College, Minnesota, where he did a double major in Business Administration and French, and a Master’s Degree in Business from the Institut de Gestion de Rennes, France. Before arriving at UniLaSalle in 2009, Thomas was the director of an American cultural centre in Rennes.About Maria KirraneDr. Maria Kirrane is the Head of Sustainability and Climate Action for University College Cork. In this role, she oversees the delivery of the University’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, working with students and staff across campus to embed sustainability into teaching, research operations and engagement activities. Maria holds a BSc. in Environmental Science and a PhD in Zoology, both from UCC. She undertook her postdoctoral research at the University of Limerick on the role of higher education in the transition to a sustainable society.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ UniLaSalle Uni4Change website→ University College Cork website→ Sulitest website→ Glasgow to Rotterdam by bike: a green conference travelogue→ Tatjana Söding: Erasmus by Train: gaining steam?

The use of agents by higher education institutions to support their international student recruitment efforts is a very accepted practice in some national and institutional contexts around the world, but it’s also considered quite controversial elsewhere. This debate has been ongoing for years, but what is currently at the heart of this discussion?In this EAIE podcast episode, we talk to the three authors of a 2023 Routledge publication titled ‘Student Recruitment Agents in International Higher Education: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges and Best Practices': Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Vincenzo Raimo, and Eddie West. With these speakers, who all have extensive experience with and knowledge of the topic of education agents, host Laura Rumbley touches upon various aspects linked to this subject: how do we define the term 'education agents', and what exactly do they do? What can different perspectives and insights offer us in terms of understanding agents’ roles? What’s involved in getting off to a good start when working with agents? And what emerging trends and future directions for education agents and their stakeholders should we be on the lookout for?About Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Vincenzo Raimo and Eddie WestDr Pii-Tuulia Nikula is an Associate Professor at Eastern Institute of Technology (Te Pūkenga) in New Zealand. Most of Pii-Tuulia’s research focuses on international student recruitment and sustainability questions within the international education sector. One of her areas of expertise is education agent management and governance. Pii-Tuulia’s agent research has been published in journals including Studies in Higher Education, Journal of Studies in International Education, and Higher Education Policy. She also has relevant industry experience: before her academic career, Pii-Tuulia worked as an agent and held management and leadership roles within education agencies. Pii-Tuulia is a co-founder of CANIE: Climate Action Network for International Educators.Vincenzo (Enzo) Raimo is a former Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at the University of Reading where he is now a Visiting Fellow. He is a global higher education specialist with expertise in transnational education and the use of agents in international student recruitment. He combines work as an international higher education consultant with research on international education related topics.Eddie West is Assistant Dean of International Strategy and Programs at San Diego State University (SDSU), where he provides leadership on international partnership development, collaborations, and transnational education programs, including SDSU in Georgia (Tbilisi). Previously, Eddie served as assistant dean of international programs at Berkeley Extension, the continuing education division of the University of California, Berkeley. Earlier, he led international initiatives at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and served as Senior International Officer at the Ohlone Community College District.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ Student Recruitment Agents in International Higher Education: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges and Best Practices (Routledge, 2023)→ Monitoring of Education Agents Engaged in International Student Recruitment: Perspectives from Agency Theory (ASIE)→ International education agents: the good, the bad and the ugly

It’s a turbulent time for students across Europe as they deal with pressing issues, such as the lack of student accommodation and the fight against climate change, alongside their studies. Two highly active and visible student organisations have their backs, though: the European Students’ Union (ESU) and the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). Both organisations work hard to ensure the student voice is heard and that students are given the chance to participate in important conversations about the current state and future of (international) higher education in Europe.In this episode of the EAIE podcast, we talk to the new presidents of ESU (Horia Onita) and ESN (Rita Dias), who both started in their roles in the Summer of 2023. What motivated them to seek out these leadership opportunities? What do they see as the top challenges facing the students they represent today, and how will their organisations address these challenges? How do their organisations work together, and how do they engage with others beyond Europe? And how do they characterise the current state of student engagement and activism? Students are talking, and the EAIE is listening! We hope you’ll tune in for a listen, too.About Horia OnitaHoria Onita serves as President of ESU, after 9 years of school and higher education student movement at the local and national levels in Romania. In ESU, he is working on overarching political priorities (Bologna Process, European elections, etc), quality assurance of education, learning and teaching policies, digitalisation and the social dimension of higher education. He represents ESU in positions such as co-chair of the Drafting Committee of the 2024 Tirana Communique or co-chair of the Bologna Follow-Up group on Social Dimension. He also follows EU developments on education funding and monitoring and has been representing ESU in the Steering Committee on the Education of Council of Europe. Horia holds a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Public Procurement degree from the University of Bucharest.About Rita DiasRita Dias is 27 and comes from the coast of Portugal. She has a bachelor's in Political Science and International Relations and a Master's in Public Policy. Rita did her Erasmus in Leuven, Belgium, and worked at the United States Embassy in Lisbon in 2018 and in the Political Observatory in the Association for Political Studies and Scientific Research in 2020. She joined ESN in 2018 when she moved to Lisbon to start her master's. She held several positions in the network, such as President of Portugal and Liaison Officer for Inclusive Mobility. As current President of ESN, she is responsible for the general coordination of the organisation, external relations, policy, and advocacy. Her main priorities include increasing participation in learning mobility and fostering civic engagement and participation of young people through Erasmus.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ ESN – preliminary results of ESN survey 2023→ ESU - Survey on Academic Freedom, Institutional Autonomy and Academic Integrity from a Student Perspective→ ESU & ESN joint publication - How are exchange students navigating the housing crisis?→ Kelly-anne Watson: Student accommodation: key trends and considerations

In this episode of the EAIE podcast, host Laura Rumbley talks to two guests who have found themselves at this ‘back to school’ moment numerous times already in their careers and whose senior leadership roles require them to guide international office teams through many such key moments.  So how do seasoned team leaders like Sabine Pendl, Director of the Office of International Relations at the University of Graz (Austria), and Wessel Meijer, Senior Policy Advisor for Internationalisation at Leiden University (the Netherlands) prepare themselves every year for this ‘reboot’? What do they currently see as some of the main issues that international office staff will likely be facing this year? What are some of the key skills or competencies that they see as vital for managing an international office today? Get a sneak peek at Sabine and Wessel’s upcoming EAIE training on 13 and 14 November in Amsterdam, ‘How to manage an international office.’About Sabine PendlSabine Pendl is the Director of the Office of International Relations at the University of Graz, Austria and has served as President of the EAIE from 2018 to 2020. For almost 32 years she has been active in the field of internationalization. She has managed international projects and summer schools; has worked as a trainer on the development of joint degrees and the management of an international office; has authored numerous articles on internationalization topics such as benchmarking and teaching in English; and has participated actively in conferences around the world. In addition, she is Vice-President of the Utrecht Network, member of the steering committee of her University Alliance “Arqus” and currently acts as auditor for the German Rectors’ Conference for their internationalization project.About Wessel MeijerWessel Meijer is an all-around international relations manager with 30 years of experience in the internationalisation of higher education, both as a manager and as a specialist. He is currently Senior Policy Advisor for Internationalisation at Leiden University, The Netherlands, responsible for strategic internationalisation issues. Recently, Wessel was Director of Strategy and Academic Affairs at Radboud University Nijmegen, responsible for the university’s strategic issues, institutional research and education policies. Before that, he led the International Office of the same university of 30 staff responsible for European projects, scholarship programmes, international admissions and corporate partnerships. As Head of the international office of Fontys University of Applied Sciences, he managed a team of 15 staff at three locations. At Utrecht University, his responsibilities were the Erasmus programme and the development and implementation of the international marketing strategy. He started his career at the Utrecht School of Arts in the early days of student mobility. Wessel is involved in several other international project activities as a trainer, speaker and expert in assessing projects at the EACEA in Brussels and auditing international courses.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ EAIE Academy: How to manage an international office→ Ten tools for managing an international office→ 5 questions to ask during strategic internationalisation planning

The 2023 EAIE Award winners were announced in August 2023, and at the conference in Rotterdam, they will all be given some of the attention they rightfully deserve. In this podcast episode, the EAIE is honoured to have had the opportunity to talk to Ligia Deca, the current minister of Education for Romania and this year’s winner of the EAIE Award for Vision and Leadership. Several topics are touched upon in the conversation between host Laura Rumbley and minister Deca. How she made her way into the field of international higher education; the lessons she learned from her past student leadership experience as President of the European Students' Union. But also what she feels are some of the top challenges facing international higher education in Europe at the moment, and what kinds of opportunities and challenges she sees for younger women today, to step into a leadership role like the one she currently holds. We also get to hear more about what winning this award means to her at this particular moment in time in her career.About Ligia Deca Ligia Deca is the Minister of Education of Romania. Before ascending to this role in 2022, she served as Presidential Adviser for Education and Research. She is also a member of Romania's Fulbright Commission Board of Directors. Ligia co-led ‘Action Track 3: Teachers, Teaching and the Teaching Profession’ within the framework of the 2022 United Nations Transforming Education Summit and, since June 2023, was co-opted by the UN Secretary-General as a member of the High-level Panel on the Teaching Profession. Between 2010 and 2012, she was head of the Bologna Secretariat, supporting the Bologna Follow-Up Group within the European Higher Education Area frame. Ligia has worked as an expert for the Council of Europe, the European Commission, EQAR, DAAD and others and in 2014, she was invited to be a member of the ‘Science in Education’ Expert Group set up by the European Commission. From 2008 to 2010, she was the President of the European Students’ Union. Ligia holds a PhD in Political Science, awarded by the University of Luxembourg in 2016 for her research focusing on the internationalisation of higher education.  Ligia Deca is the recipient of the 2023 EAIE Award for Vision and Leadership for her remarkable achievements and contributions to international education throughout her career.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ 20 years of extraordinary: 2023 EAIE Award winners→ Recognising the extraordinary in our sector

Never graduated, eternally honoured. This is the guiding notion behind the ‘Unissued Diplomas’ project, set up by the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) and a group of volunteers with different backgrounds. The purpose of the initiative is to put the spotlight on a group of 36 Ukrainian higher education students who will never receive their diplomas because their lives were ended too soon by the ongoing war between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.This powerful exhibition has travelled to more than 45 higher education institutions worldwide, with over 70 showings in 22 different countries. The EAIE is honoured to welcome the Unissued Diplomas project to Rotterdam in September 2023, as part of this year’s EAIE Conference and Exhibition.In this podcast episode, host Laura Rumbley talks to Daryna Zavhorodnia, project manager for the Unissued Diplomas project. We hear how the idea for this exhibition came about, the importance of partnerships and donations to the project, and how others can provide their support to Ukraine. Be sure to tune in to this EAIE podcast episode to learn more about this remarkable project.About Daryna ZavhorodniaDaryna Zavhorodnia is a fourth-year sociology student at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Kyiv, Ukraine), and the project manager of "Unissued Diplomas". She was an exchange student at the University of Toronto between September 2022 and April 2023.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ Unissued Diplomas website & social media channels:WebsiteInstagramFacebook→ United24 – official fundraising platform for Ukraine→ EAIE Ukraine support and resources page→ Karina Bilokon - One Ukrainian student’s story→ ​​​​​International education in Ukraine - continuing in the face of adversity

The International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. Between 22 and 25 August the association organised its 25th annual conference, this time bringing together international higher education professionals from around the world in Durban, South Africa.For Europe, partnership with Africa is a key priority – whether in terms of economic development, sustainability objectives or other activities. How should we view the current dynamics in EU/Africa partnerships in higher education? What are some of the core values and topics of interest for IEASA at the moment? And what can be seen as some fundamental challenges and opportunities for internationalisation in South Africa today?In this episode of the EAIE podcast, host Laura Rumbley talks to Lavern Samuels, IEASA president for 2023-2024 and Director of International Education and Partnerships at Durban University of Technology, South Africa.About Lavern SamuelsLavern Samuels is a dental surgeon and medical scientist with a special interest in oral medicine and broader public health. Currently, he serves as the Director of International Education and Partnerships (IEP) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). He is also the President of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA), a position he previously held between 2012 and 2014. He is also a past Chair of the IEASA Directors Forum. Additionally, Lavern Samuels is Chair of the Southern African Nordic Centre (SANORD), a consortium of 60 universities across 15 countries from the Southern African and Nordic regions. He is also a member of the Board of the International Virtual Exchange Consortium (IVEC) and represents South Africa in the Network of International Education Associations (NIEA), the peak global body for international education associations. Currently, he also serves as a Board Member of the International Centre for Non-Violence (ICON) and the ML Sultan Charitable and Educational Trust.Having come from the field of Health Science, Dr Samuels has served as the academic head of the Departments of Dental Sciences and Environmental Health, as well as Deputy Dean and Acting Executive Dean, in the DUT Faculty of Health Sciences. He is a former board member of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and also previously served on the Foreign Qualifications Committee of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ IEASA→ Collaborating with African universities through European University alliances→ 2021 EAIE Spring Forum: Europe and the Global South→ Ajibola Odukoya: Innovative Africa

The European Year of Skills will run from 9 May 2023 until 8 May 2024 and put the spotlight on skills. This year is all about helping people get the right skills and addressing important skills shortages in the EU. Since 2014 the United Nations has also observed World Youth Skills Day every July 15th. This month's podcast episode relevantly focuses on the synergies for skill-building within international education. We look at an example of a fruitful collaboration between Aeres Hogeschool (HE) in the Netherlands and Groupe Ecole supérieure d'Agriculture d'Angers (VET) in France. Institutions in different countries that have shared interests in the areas of agriculture and food systems education and have been working together for 25 years.  Hélène Rongeot, Bachelor Project Manager at ESA Angers in France, and Natasja Spaargaren, Head of the Internationalisation programme at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, tell us more about their partnership and the importance of skill-building. What excites them about their work, the skill-building opportunities for their students, and for themselves? And what is the secret recipe to their successful partnership covering both HE and VET? Join us for this podcast episode to learn more about this topic!About Hélène RongeotHélène Rongeot is Bachelor Project Manager at Groupe Ecole supérieure d'Agriculture d'Angers (ESA Angers). She is in charge of the development of new Bachelor programmes in active and collaborative pedagogy, on two sites in Angers, France and near Paris in Saint Quentin in Yvelines. Both programmes are internationally oriented and in the fields of agro-ecological transition and food systems. Hélène obtained her PhD in plant breeding in Paris and worked as a breeder for flowering plants before moving into the field of international education.About Natasja SpaargarenNatasja Spaargaren is Head of the Internationalisation programme at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, with 23 years of experience in internationalisation in education. In her role, she helps Bachelor and Master students as well as academic staff with internationalisation through mobility programmes, internationalisation at home, joint degree programmes and consultancy & training services in agribusiness and education.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ European Year of Skills→ Getting practical about vocational education→ Global internships: preparation for the new world of work→ Fabrizio Bitetto: Fostering entrepreneurship→ Collaborative Europe

In April 2023, the EAIE published its annual international student admissions survey report, which includes interesting insights into current and future dynamics of (international) student admissions across the European Higher Education Area. The data from the survey showed, amongst other things, that the issue of inflation/cost of living is currently a ‘moderate’ barrier to international student enrolment for a majority of respondents (66%). But how big of an issue is affordability within the international education sector at the moment, especially when it comes to student housing?In this episode of the EAIE podcast we talk to Kelly-anne Watson, Managing Director at The Class Foundation, Europe’s leading platform for the student housing sector. She tells us more about some of the key challenges the European market is currently facing, the importance of communication and collaboration between higher education institutions and local accommodation providers and whether there are any other mid- to longer-term trends or issues we should be on the lookout for when it comes to student living-learning dynamics. Tune in to this episode to learn more!About Kelly-anne WatsonKelly-anne Watson is the Managing Director at The Class Foundation, with a wealth of experience in events, politics, higher education and real estate. Her passion for education and quality housing for students is at the core of her work. She understands that a positive and supportive living environment is crucial for students’ success and has dedicated her career to improving access to the sector. As a former member of the National Code, Kelly-anne implemented the first health and wellbeing clause into the UK national accreditation scheme in 2016. In her current role, she has been instrumental in connecting the largest network of private and public stakeholders covering €298 billion in assets across Europe and driving positive change in the student living sector. Kelly-anne is focused on continuing to champion social value, investment, sustainability, wellbeing, community and policy reform within university cities across Europe.Additional ResourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ What’s happening in higher education regulation and what does this mean for transnational education→ The Value of Transnational Education Partnerships→ UK higher education: time for an international rebrand?→ Transnational education

Several months ago, Universities UK International (UUKi) and the British Council released a report titled ‘The scale of UK higher education transnational education 2020-21’. This report offered a snapshot analysis of what’s happening with UK transnational education (TNE) across the globe. Since the UK’s departure from the EU, TNE programmes have become more attractive to European students as access to the UK has become more challenging. However, there continue to be critiques of this phenomenon, for example as being a heavily commercially-driven model. In this episode of the EAIE Podcast, host Laura Rumbley is joined by Joana Westphal, Head of Transnational Education (TNE) at UUKi, and John McNamara, Global Head of Research for the Education Insights Hub at British Council, to address the latest developments related to UK TNE in Europe and beyond. Is there a need for an EU-wide TNE strategy? What are some of the opportunities and challenges on the horizon? And are there particular good practices to share? Take a listen to this episode to learn more! About Joana Westphal Joana Westphal is Head of Transnational Education (TNE) at Universities UK International (UUKi). She works within UUKi's Policy and Engagement Team leading the TNE programme to support universities in building sustainable, scalable partnerships across the globe. Joana has worked in international higher education across different areas, including recruitment, research and TNE, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa.About John McNamaraJohn McNamara is Global Head of Research, British Council’s Education Insights Hub, and manages a broad portfolio of sector facing research. Key outputs include market intelligence briefs, thought leaderships reports, data tools, blogs and regular presentations to the UK education sector, HMG colleagues and international partners. Prior to joining the British Council in 2019, John ran his own international education consultancy, and before that worked as a senior economist with the Economist Intelligence Unit in London. Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ What’s happening in higher education regulation and what does this mean for transnational education (TNE)?→ British Council: The Value of Transnational Education Partnerships → UK higher education: time for an international rebrand?→ Transnational education

It’s time to light the candles on the cake for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, as they celebrate their 75th anniversary this year! Founded in 1948, the main aim of the originally named ‘National Association of Foreign Student Advisers’ was to promote the professional development of U.S. college and university officials responsible for assisting and advising the 25,000 foreign students who had come to study in the United States after World War II. Since then, there has been a name change, a move to a much broader scope, and year after year of highly successful annual conferences. To commemorate this impressive milestone, EAIE podcast host Laura Rumbley talks to Fanta Aw, CEO and Executive Director at NAFSA, and LaNitra Berger, NAFSA President and Chair of the Board of Directors. What does the work of building and sustaining a diverse and thriving community of professionals look like to NAFSA today? From their US perspective, what’s capturing their attention within the European context and how do they see the transatlantic dimensions of international education playing out now and moving forward? And what are they most looking forward to at the 75th NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo taking place May 30 - June 2 in Washington, DC? Tune in to this celebratory episode to learn more!About Fanta AwFanta Aw, PhD, is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Aw previously served the association as President and Chair of the Board of Directors from 2013–2016, the longest tenure of any individual in that role in NAFSA’s history. Dr. Aw has deep experience in both international education and higher education administration. She spent both her academic and professional careers at American University in Washington, D.C. She most recently served as Vice President of Undergraduate Enrolment, Campus Life, and Inclusive Excellence. She received her BS in accounting, MA in public administration with a focus on organizational development, and PhD in sociology with a focus on international education, social stratification, and transnational migration. Aw held many leadership positions in her decades at AU, most recently as Vice President of Undergraduate Enrollment, Campus Life, and Inclusive Excellence.About LaNitra BergerLaNitra Berger, PhD is the President and Chair of the Board of Directors of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She is also the Associate Professor of Art History and Director of African and African American Studies at George Mason University (GMU). She has helped students secure more than 60 prestigious fellowships such as the Fulbright, Boren, Gilman, Truman, Udall, and Critical Language Scholarship awards. In 2015, she received the GMU Spirit of King Award for diversifying study abroad. She is an active member of the Diversity Abroad Network and volunteers with Globalize DC. Dr. Berger received her BA in art and international relations from Stanford University and her PhD in art history from Duke University. Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ 75th NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo→ Engaging communities: internationalisation of higher education for society→ Robin Matross Helms: The USA regroups​→ ​​​​​​Opening doors across the Atlantic​→ ​​​​​​America on our minds

With a nod to the recent observance of Earth Day on 22 April, this episode of the EAIE Podcast takes a look at the complicated relationship between the internationalisation of higher education and climate change. One way to understand the dilemmas baked into this relationship is to consider the notion of cognitive dissonance, a concept that takes centre stage in an article published recently in the Journal of Studies in International Education by Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Adrienne Fusek and Adinda van Gaalen. Two of this article’s authors – Adinda van Gaalen, team leader of the research policy team and advisor to the board at InHolland University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, and Adrienne Fusek, Executive Director and Founder of In Good Company (based in the United States) – join host Laura Rumbley to address some key conceptual and practical questions at the intersection of international education and climate action: What is cognitive dissonance? How do we deal with the struggle of moving from climate action plans on paper to actual on-the-ground implementation? What are the differing roles of individuals versus organisations when it comes to tackling climate action? And what could be, or should be, the next big development within the field of international education when it comes to addressing the sector’s environmental impacts? Intrigued? Listen in to learn more!About Adrienne FusekAdrienne Fusek, Ed.D. is the Executive Director and Founder of In Good Company (IGC.earth), a climate justice nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California.  After 18 years in international higher education, she shifted her professional focus to advance climate justice solutions in her local community. She co-chaired the Forum on Education Abroad working group that wrote the guidelines aligning education abroad with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and she is the lead author of CANIE’s Glasgow Paper and the CANIE Accord.About Adinda van GaalenAdinda van Gaalen is a member of the management team of the Department of Education and Research Policy & Legal Affairs at Inholland University of Applied Sciences. In this capacity, she is the team leader of the research policy team and advisor to the Inholland board on both research and internationalisation. Adinda is also a part-time PhD candidate at Ghent University in Belgium. Her research focuses on dilemmas in internationalisation strategies including the carbon footprint. Previously she was a policy advisor and researcher at Nuffic. Adinda has been involved in the development of a Green Travel Policy at Nuffic, Ghent University and Inholland UAS. Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ Internationalisation of Higher Education and Climate Change: A Cognitive Dissonance Perspective → CANIE (Climate Action Network for International Educators)→ EAIE Spring Forum 2022 – Our Changing Climate→ Clear skies, blue seas, green trees and us→ Tatjana Söding: Erasmus by Train: gaining steam?

The European higher education sector is a diverse, inspiring and collaborative field where we can learn and discover new things every day. In this EAIE podcast episode, we invite the listener into the wondrous world of Circus Arts education, where students train to become (international) professional circus artists. Although these performing arts programmes are often considered unique, there are various similarities with 'regular' higher education programmes and the willingness to overcome the same challenges. What defines success for these types of institutions and organisations in terms of serving students and advancing the circus education agenda? What about international experiences for students and staff? What impact do issues such as climate change, equality and injustice have within the sector and how are they addressed? In this episode, we talk to Anna Beentjes, Head of the Bachelor programme Circus Arts at Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam, and Isabel Joly, Director of FEDEC (the international network for professional circus education known as the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools). Tune in to learn more about this creative, collaborative corner of the international higher education field! About Anna BeentjesAnna Beentjes is Head of the Bachelor programme ‘Circus Arts’ at Codarts University for the Arts, Rotterdam. She is also vice-president of FEDEC (the international network for professional circus education) and the chair of circus company Monki Business. Anna graduated with a master in Spanish Language and Literature after studies at the University of Groningen and the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. In the past, she has worked as a translator, book seller, executive producer for various dance, theater and music productions with international tours, and was Director for the Performing Arts at the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York.  About Isabel JolyIsabel Joly is the Director of FEDEC, the international network for professional circus education. After a Master degree in communication at the University of Lille, Isabel joined the European Commission in the Directorate General for Education and Culture (EAC), and this immersion in cultural issues at European level gave her professional life a decisive direction. Since January 2018, Isabel has answered the call of FEDEC where she shares her passion for arts education with nearly 80 members worldwide, professional schools but also organisations placing circus education at the heart of their project. Passionate about the development of contemporary circus, she is a Board member of the International network Circostrada, (Paris, FR), of the European platform Circusnext (Paris, FR) and the non-profit organisation UP - Circus & Performing Arts (Brussels, BE). Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ FEDEC’s EU project SPEAK OUT→ Clowning around: relieving stress at the international office→ Karol Vieker & Malaika Marable Serrano: Let’s talk about discrimination