IAU Participates in CAEI 2025 in San José, Costa Rica
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to take part in the 9th edition of the Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAEI), held from 15–17 October 2025 in San José, Costa Rica. Bringing together decision-makers, experts, and institutions from across the Americas, CAEI remains the region’s leading forum for dialogue, partnership building, and collective action in higher education.
Engaging in Dialogue on Internationalization and Sustainable Development
Giorgio Marinoni, IAU Manager for Higher Education and Internationalization, contributed to the programme as a speaker and session chair. He led the parallel session “University networks for impact: international collaboration and SDGs”, which showcased concrete examples of institutional cooperation in Colombia and Ecuador. Speakers highlighted how universities are linking the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with community engagement initiatives to generate meaningful, locally grounded impact. Among the case studies presented was the work of Antonio Nariño University, an IAU Member institution.
Marinoni also interacted with participants throughout the conference, exchanging insights on advancing the internationalization of higher education in a rapidly changing global environment.
A Programme Addressing Emerging Realities in Higher Education
The CAEI 2025 programme offered a rich array of sessions exploring how higher education institutions across the Americas are adapting to today’s shifting societal, technological, and geopolitical dynamics.
The conference opened with an inspiring plenary, “A World in Mutation: Reshaping the Priorities in Higher Education in the Americas,” setting the tone for discussions on resilience, relevance, and responsiveness in higher education systems. The concluding plenary, “Trends and Priorities in Internationalization: A Global Conversation,” brought international experts together to reflect on evolving internationalization practices and global cooperation trends.
A President’s Roundtable brought rectors from Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada into dialogue on how university leadership is redefining institutional missions to prepare for the future.
Expert panels provided additional opportunities for in-depth exchange, including sessions on:
Global perspectives on internationalization
Inclusive virtual exchange practices and Global South initiatives
The diverse set of parallel sessions addressed pragmatic approaches and emerging models, such as workforce development–oriented internationalization and new forms of cross-border collaboration.
Strengthening Cooperation Across the Americas
IAU’s participation in CAEI 2025 reinforced the Association’s commitment to fostering inclusive, impactful, and sustainable internationalization practices worldwide. The conference offered a valuable platform to strengthen partnerships with institutions across the Americas and deepen collaboration with long-standing partners, including the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (OUI–IOHE).
IAU looks forward to continued engagement with the CAEI community and to supporting institutions in navigating the evolving landscape of higher education.
