ACA Annual Conference 2012

More than 250 participants from across the world attended the conference between 10 and 12 June and listened to experts in the higher education field. The conference was organised by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) and the Finnish Centre for International Mobility (CIMO).
 

Excellence

All the experts at the conference agreed that excellence is of paramount importance to internationalisation. It can make or break the national or international position and success of an institution.

They also addressed the social dimension of internationalisation, in terms of quality. On the one hand the services offered to international staff and students are important for the reputation and wellbeing of the institution’s community. They play an important role in PR and in recruiting students and staff. On the other hand, access for all, social inclusion and equity were indicated as prerequisites for the international success, good results and hence the rankings of institutions.
 

Warnings

The experts also shared some concerns. They warned that higher education institutions should have clear internationalisation objectives, be highly selective in what to offer, with whom to cooperate, and how to fulfil their ambitions.

The biggest warning, however, came from the speakers addressing the public funding of institutions. A fundamental change in the funding of higher education institutions is on the agenda in many countries as a result of massification of higher education and lack of funding possibilities of the state. This will affect all in academia. Students will gradually have to pay higher tuition fees, while institutions will have to look for a diversification of their income.

Next year’s ACA annual conference will be held in The Hague on 9–11 June 2013 and will be organised by the ACA and Nuffic.