USJ Participated in the Special Webinar in Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the International Association of Universities (IAU)
USJ Participated in the Special Webinar in Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the International Association of Universities (IAU)
11
Dec
11/12/2020
On December 9th, 2020, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) attended the special webinar in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the International Association of Universities (IAU), “Celebrating 70 Years of Higher Education Cooperation with the International Association of Universities”.
On December 9th, 2020, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), represented by the Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Strategic Development, Professor Álvaro Barbosa and the Director of the Public and International Relations Office (PIRO), Mrs Paula Mota, attended the special webinar in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the International Association of Universities (IAU), “Celebrating 70 Years of Higher Education Cooperation with the International Association of Universities”.
After a warm welcome by the IAU President, Professor Pam Fredman, and an opening greetings by the Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO, Ms Stefania Giannini which placed emphasis on the works done by the IAU as the voice of Higher Education Institutions, the celebrations kicked-off with the introduction of the panellist by the IAU President.
This special webinar was organised into two parts addressing topics such as “Celebration of Higher Education collaboration at the Global Level” and the “The future of Higher Education” given the current scenario the world of higher education is facing. Programme available here.
During this special celebration, higher education institutions participants from different regions of the globe expressed their acknowledgement for the work of IAU, and for being a great platform of opportunities where members have the privilege to access the latest trends and news, yet, serving as the collaborative space for its members and partners to nurture the discussion of challenges related with Higher Education, fostering community responsibility whilst reinforcing higher education values in supporting the development of human resources.
To conclude, a discussion was held on how Higher Education Institutions could reorganise in the future to face the challenges of the exacerbation of the pandemic of COVID-19, where participants shared their perspectives on how to rethink the internationalisation in various scenarios, such as online education, hybrid classrooms, flexible degrees, linking continuing education with residential education, reconsidering the enrolment, not only due to the pandemic but also the ageing of the population, contemplating more local and regional recruitment vs cross-the-ocean recruitment, reassessing different forms of international experiences, such as longer-term exchange, encouraging more dual degree, cultivating returns of talents for local and regional universities and enhancing the virtual collaborations through conferences, meetings. During the discussion, it was pointed out that universities should reconsider their business model and rethink new funding models.
The closing remarks by IAU Secretary General Hilligje van’t Land, summarised what could be considered the Roadmap for IAU with the following key points:
- Universities are transforming very fast, and what to expect?
- Universities should shift the focus to reposition themselves on more civic and social responsibilities,
- Foster a better recognition from the local, regional and international community,
- Bringing more collaboration amongst its members,
- Rethinking the university mission,
- Building a sustainable future,
- Address inequality, inclusiveness
- Balancing internationalisation and yet is different aspects, and
- Rethinking the colonial resignation and limitation.
Lastly, the celebratory page “IAU turns 70” with video messages from Members and Partners from all over the world can be found here: https://iau-aiu.net/IAU-turns-70. In addition, as part of the celebrations dedicated to these remarkable seven decades, the IAU as also launched a collector’s edition of IAU Horizons, featuring a series of papers by Higher Education leaders from around the world on “Imagining Higher Education in a Post-pandemic World”, available here.
