#IHEF2025 Forward Look: Shaping the future

In this forward-looking piece, Harry Anderson, Deputy Director for Policy and Global Engagement at Universities UK International, shares his excitement for International Higher Education Forum 2025. He highlights IHEF’s role as the flagship event that not only connects professionals across the sector but also tackles the most pressing issues in international higher education.

Join Harry as he reflects on the future of international higher education and invites you to be part of this transformative conversation.

I’m looking forward to this year’s International Higher Education Forum (IHEF), which will bring together over 300 academics and policymakers in Birmingham on 4-5 June. As always, our annual flagship conference will be a great opportunity to connect with colleagues across the sector, share insights and tackle the pressing issues currently shaping higher education.  

The conference will cover a broad range of topics – from international student recruitment and transnational education to global mobility, research and partnerships. Whatever your area of expertise, IHEF provides a fantastic platform to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities. 

One session I’m most looking forward to is Global impact, national interests: what does the new UK International Education Strategy mean for universities? With the UK government preparing to refresh its International Education Strategy, this discussion couldn’t come at a more important time. A key focus will be how we can ensure the strategy continues to act as a key mechanism for promoting education partnerships between the UK and the rest of the world.  

While much attention is often focused on the target of 600,000 international students, this session will dig deeper into the many ways universities contribute to broader national objectives, as well as shape foreign policy – whether through research partnerships, global development, soft power, or even national defence.  

We’ll hear from a panel of leaders in the field, including Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of Birmingham, and Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Birmingham, with more speakers to be announced soon. 

IHEF is always a valuable space for us to come together as a sector to reflect, discuss, and look ahead to the future of international higher education. I’d love to see you there – join us by registering your place today.