Reflecting on European Higher Education in Geopolitically Challenging Times
The IAU was pleased to participate in the event “Reflecting on European Higher Education in Geopolitically Challenging Times”, co-organised by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), the European Association for International Education (EAIE), and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The event also served as the Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) gathering in Europe and brought together experts from higher education institutions, stakeholder organisations, and European institutions engaged in international higher education policy and research.
Set against a backdrop of growing geopolitical uncertainty, the conference provided a timely space for dialogue on how higher education systems and institutions are being reshaped by global political, social, and economic developments — and how they can respond strategically and ethically.
Academic freedom and the geopolitical context
Following welcoming remarks by co-hosts Tanja Kreetz (DAAD Brussels) and Irina Ferencz (ACA), participants heard updates on recent developments from Laura Rumbley (EAIE) and Hans de Wit (CIHE). The programme opened with a keynote address by Jeroen Huisman, Professor of Higher Education at the Centre for Higher Education Governance Ghent (CHEGG), who offered a critical examination of the concept of academic freedom, raising key questions about its meaning, scope, and relationship to other fundamental values, including ethics and social responsibility.
Policy reflections and future prospects
The keynote was followed by two panel discussions addressing both current policy challenges and future directions for European higher education.
Moderated by Hans de Wit, the first panel, “Reflecting on Higher Education Policy in Europe in Geopolitically Challenging Times”, brought together Sakine Weikert, DAAD Centre for International Academic Cooperation (KIWi); Jan Marco Müller, Team Leader Global Approach, Multilateral Dialogue and Science Diplomacy, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation; Daniela Craciun, Assistant Professor, Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS), University of Twente; and Hilligje van’t Land, IAU Secretary General. The discussion explored how geopolitical tensions are influencing higher education policy, institutional autonomy, international cooperation, and the operating environment for universities across Europe and beyond.
Representing the IAU, Secretary General Hilligje van’t Land contributed to the discussions on the impact of geopolitical tensions on higher education and emphasised, together with Jan Marco Müller, the critical role of scientific diplomacy. She underlined the importance of universities remaining connected across borders and fostering ethical, inclusive international cooperation and partnerships to advance science in service of society and the planet.
The first day of the conference concluded with a joint reflection session, bringing participants together to share insights and identify common concerns and priorities. The highly interactive nature of the event fostered open exchange among policy actors, institutional leaders, and researchers.
Collective reflection and continued exchange
The gathering was followed by an exclusive CIHE exchange on the following day, during which established and early-stage researchers presented and discussed their work on international higher education structures and developments.
The IAU’s engagement also highlighted the importance of grounding internationalization strategies in values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. Giorgio Marinoni, IAU Manager for Internationalisation, presented key outcomes from the recent IAU report Internationalization of Higher Education: Insights into Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Sustainable Development; and International Partnerships, contributing evidence-based perspectives to the discussions. This report is a good example of collaboration between IAU and an early-career researcher as it was developed during the internship at IAU of Marianthi Kontelli, a PhD student from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
The IAU warmly thanks the organisers, speakers, moderators, and participants for creating a constructive space for dialogue at a critical moment for higher education globally, and looks forward to continued collaboration throughout 2026.
