International education in disruptive times. Sharing solutions to face global challenges.

We regret to inform you that due to the situation with the COVID-19 virus we will cancel our staff training week. Once the situation has stabilized and gone back to normal we will publish a new date for this training week.

Abstract

At present we live in disruptive times; change and persistent growth affect societies all over the world creating complex challenges. It would be naïve to think that international education isn't influenced by these challenges. Even more, internationalisation often plays a pivotal role in certain major challenges, issues or trends. In times of global engagement being increasingly challenged by zero-sum approaches to internationalization we can't only focus on the positive effects of our work, but also need to be aware of the potential negative impact of internationalisation and accordingly.

In this staff week Ghent University organizes a series of engaging talks addressing the links between internationalisation and major contemporary societal issues like growing nationalisms, changing demographic pressures, and environmental anxieties. During the program we want to focus on a holistic, long-term concept for societal transformation but will present specifically the ways Ghent University addresses the intertwining of international education with sustainability, human rights standards, postcolonialism and diversity. We hope to welcome colleagues from partner institutions who can contribute to these subjects or broaden the discussion with other topics like transparency, equality, gender, countering intellectual monocultures and polarisation, … .

Goal

This staff week is conceived of as a fact finding mission for all participants. By bringing together external experts and university staff members with expertise in different areas we want to facilitate the exchange of insights, policies, initiatives and best practices regarding the impact of international education on contemporary societal issues. Through the exchange of ideas participants should learn how to look beyond traditional geopolitics to engage creatively with the emergent landscape.

Selection of participants

Places are limited. Ghent University reserves the right to make a selection, based on motivation, profile and expertise of the candidates. For this you will be asked in your application to upload a Word or PDF file with more information on your own or your institutional expertise concerning the subject of this staff week. If you want, you can add a profile or motivation as well.

Apply by submitting this form by 25th of February at the latest (https://ugent.typeform.com/to/Ux8K7k)