Member Article

Facing up to higher education’s global challlenges

The benefits and challenges of internationalism in a competitive global Higher Education environment will be examined at a meeting of academics at the University of Hull later today.

Professor Sue Robson from the University of Newcastle will give a keynote speech on the topic, which will be followed by discussions and interactive workshops and round tables.

The event is being held to celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of the Hull ASEAN network.

This research collaboration network focuses on building links with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – a group of 10 countries with a population of more than 620 million and a combined GDP of around $2.6 trillion.

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 22, between noon and 5pm at Staff House (CR1) at the university.

Sue Robson is Professor of Education in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences at Newcastle.

She is a member of the Research Centre for Learning and Teaching (CfLAT) and leads the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (HE) Research Group. Her current research focuses on the internationalisation of HE.

A number of other academics will also give presentations on specific topics relating to internationalisation.

Prof Robson said: “Internationalisation of Higher Education (IoHE) is both a key contemporary debate and a strategic priority at national and institutional levels in many countries.

“A major challenge is evident to maintain the positive benefits of internationalisation in an increasingly competitive environment.

“My talk will explore the potential of networks to contribute to capacity building and intercultural learning.”

Dina Lewis, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Hull, said: “The Hull ASEAN network has made great strides in the past 12 months in promoting links and knowledge sharing with countries across this highly important economic region.

“This event marks the first year of the network and promises to be a fascinating and lively afternoon of debate and knowledge sharing.

“We believe it will be of interest to everyone with a view about the future of Higher Education.

“There is no doubt that the international and increasingly competitive nature of Higher Education today brings many challenges as well as benefits.

“The aim of this event is to examine both and will look at a range of topics, including the influence of globalisation and technology together with the heightened competition and shift towards revenue generation that we continue to see in the sector.

“We have a range of expert speakers on a number of relevant and related topics and the event is also a good opportunity for networking.”

For further details and to register for this free event, please contact T.Anastasi@hull.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Smith .