MISSION & VALUES
In this section:
Message from the boardAbout the EAIEEAIE Award winners
Social responsibility
The EAIE began 2024 in full motion, making considerable progress while remaining committed to its mission and vision. Building on the important groundwork done in the years before, the EAIE could take big steps and reach significant milestones. The Association celebrated notable achievements, including a record-breaking 34th Annual EAIE Conference in Toulouse, which became the largest and most diverse to date, hosting participants from 110 countries, including 25 countries from Africa. This year's conference also marked the 35th anniversary of the EAIE’s founding, which was celebrated with our community.
Realising transformative changes
The year brought a new governance and volunteer structure, as well as a membership consultation for the committees and the appointment of a new Board. With this new structure, the EAIE will be better equipped to serve the sector and support the qualitative development of our member offerings. In parallel, a new Executive Director was appointed, and an updated CRM, website, and email system were implemented. These transformative changes in the Association’s operations were a testament to the strategic guidance of the EAIE Board, the strong commitment of all volunteers, and the EAIE Office's professional work.
Investing in community engagement and professional development
Throughout these changes, the EAIE remained dedicated to serving its members. As a member-led organisation, it introduced a new membership tier specifically for young professionals. It opened the Community Platform - an innovative online platform that fosters new opportunities for connection and networking. In addition, the year saw the unveiling of a new training portfolio aimed at better serving the sector. This cohesive offering features a comprehensive learning pathway with various courses and levels and includes the upcoming Academy On-demand training format set to launch in March 2025.
Strengthening the impact of international education
In a turbulent world, the international education sector faced various challenges in 2024. In response, the EAIE Board recognised the need to demonstrate the value of international education through research and data. Consequently, the Association invested in a robust research agenda for the coming years. The first outcome of this was the release of the EAIE Barometer Report (Third edition) alongside several spin-off reports. Additionally, the EAIE has focused on enhancing its visibility and content by developing strategic relationships with key players on the European stage.
The EAIE Board, supported by the General Council, Functional Committees, Thematic Committees and Office staff, steered the Association through a successful year. Driven by the passion of the EAIE community, we accomplished remarkable milestones, including a standout conference and exhibition.
–The EAIE Board
Founded in 1989, the European Association for International Education, better known as the EAIE, is the European centre for expertise, networking and resources in the internationalisation of higher education. We are a non-profit, member-led organisation serving individuals actively involved in the internationalisation of their institutions.
Enabling the international higher education sector
We are collaborative by nature and are committed to contributing to the global community in which we live and work.
We aim to be inspiring by being purpose-driven, enthusiastic and open to new opportunities.
We aspire to create an inclusive environment in which everyone feels welcome and able to contribute.
We strive for excellence in all that we do, and empower people to better themselves both personally and professionally.
Our vision is rooted in the belief in an equitable world where international education connects diverse perspectives and nurtures greater understanding.
Showcasing the impact of internationalisation
Engaging policymakers in support of our vision
EAIE Award for Excellence in Internationalisation: FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences
EAIE Award for Excellence in Internationalisation highly commended (runner up): University of Aveiro
EAIE Award for Vision and Leadership: Simon Marginson
EAIE Award for Outstanding Contribution: Eva Haug & Esko Koponen
EAIE President’s Award: Vanessa Debiais-Sainton
In 2024, we continued to improve our practices around sustainability – continuously adding new green initiatives to the way we organise the Annual Conference and Exhibition, as well as encouraging eco-conscious activities within the EAIE Office through corporate volunteering. The EAIE celebrated 10 years of partnership with Township, the South African organisation that provides our fair-trade conference tote bags.Our sustainable partners:
SDG AccordCelebrates and advances the critical role that education has in delivering the SDGs and the value it brings to society at large.
CANIE Accord A shared commitment of the international education sector to align with scientific recommendations and worldwide climate agreements.
‘I travelled green’ initiative
EAIE Sustainability Corner At the conference in Toulouse, this space highlighted our green partnerships and initiatives. Participants were invited to pick up their ‘I travelled green’ pins and take part in activities such as sustainability-focused talks and interactive games.
New! Carbon calculator to track emissions Participants were encouraged to fill in a carbon emissions calculator to track their footprint and support our data tracking.
