Reflections APAIE 2025
It’s truly inspiring to witness the strides being made in higher education internationalization in India. This year was particularly historic, as the Asia Pacific Association of International Education (APAIE) hosted its Annual Conference in New Delhi for the first time. Congratulations to the organizers for executing such a large-scale event with seamless precision and flair. What stood out this year was the presence of numerous Indian universities. While the overall attendance was slightly lower, the quality of discussions and meetings was exceptionally productive and meaningful.
APAIE has always been one of my favorite platforms for fostering global collaborations.
This year, I had the privilege of representing the International Office of Anurag University as an Advisor. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from around the world, including: Dr. Pao Ann Hsuing, Professor& Director, International at National Chung Chen University, Taiwan, the President, Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), and Verena Kruppa, Director of the International Office, DHBW, Heilbronn, my dear friend Silke Bochow, Director of International CBS, Germany, my former student, Mayank Vig, who now works in the International Office at Woosong University, South Korea, and Diya Dutt, Adviser, Association of Universities to name a few.
These interactions provided numerous valuable insights and enriching learning moments.
Key Takeaways:
NEP 2020 & Internationalization: The groundbreaking directives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are opening up new avenues for impactful, two-way partnerships globally, fostering mutual learning and growth.
Global Recognition of India’s Contribution: The international community is increasingly recognizing India’s significant role—not just in student mobility, but also in collaborative research.
The Value of In-Person Connections: Despite our deep immersion in the virtual realm, in-person interactions continue to play a crucial role in nurturing and solidifying relationships. The human element—genuine, face-to-face connections—is vital in attracting meaningful partnerships. These personal interactions ultimately strengthen collaborations and drive internationalization forward.
A sincere thank you to APAIE for bringing together 2,400 colleagues from over 68 countries, providing a platform to renew old connections and forge new ones as we work to advance internationalization. I firmly believe that the growing demands in education and research can only be met through globally connected university systems.
A Word of Caution:
As advocates for internationalization, we carry a significant responsibility. This endeavor is not simply about signing partnerships; it's about delivering results. It encompasses an agenda with profound intellectual implications—a two-way process that requires continuous nurturing to ensure that agreements don't become mere "paper tigers" in international offices.
We must foster genuine, lasting relationships that transcend paperwork.
As Joseph Nye aptly puts it, "The real key is how many allies do I grow." Let’s work together to grow stronger, more meaningful alliances for the future of global education.
#HigherEducation
#InternationalAlliances
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