Bold ideas: 'En Route' to the future at #EAIE2024

We're officially over the halfway mark of #EAIE2024. We're sure you're still raring to go, especially after today's schedule of key insights and crucial discussions. Today, many sessions, workshops and discussions looked towards the future, expertly underscoring this year's theme of 'En Route'. 

Getting energised was the theme of the morning. Some participants met bright and early at 6:30 am on the east side of Toulouse for some invigorating exercise in preparation of the day ahead. Some flexed their muscles with a round of circuit training, while others got their blood pumping with a sightseeing run. Another group gathered at MEETT at 7am and prepared for the day with an Early-bird yoga session.  

Why not take the time to visit the EAIE sustainability corner? Located at stand G01 in the Exhibition room, it's the perfect place to learn how you and your institution can engage in more sustainable practices and help keep our planet happy. Make sure to stop by and learn about the EAIE's commitment to sustainability, including our partnerships with Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) and Township, the South African cooperative who produce our fair-trade conference bags. You can also check the list of sustainable conference actions. See how many items you've already ticked off and find out what more you can do. For more information on the EAIE's commitment to sustainability and our #greengoals, click here.

If you haven't had the chance to stop by already, you can visit the sustainability corner tomorrow to hear the inspiring stories of participants who travelled green to Toulouse, tips on reducing single-use plastics and expert advice for sustainable travel. 

Day three of the conference was, in large part, devoted to the critical analysis of bold ideas from across the international higher education sector. One session that exemplified this in particular was the session titled “Critical conversations 02: Advancing meaningful partnerships in the face of geopolitical tensions”. Organised as a roundtable, participants discussed in what ways institutions might engage in establishing strategic partnerships with countries that are understood to be undemocratic or whose governments may be seen as autocratic. Driven by a guiding concept of responsible internationalisation one of the session's speakers, Ole Petter Ottersen, asked us to remember that when working with academics and students from such countries “we are dealing with individuals, who are not to blame for governmental policy”. While issues such as this might seem at times like rather tricky waters to navigate, we should remember that it's worth dedicating time now, to discuss and wrestle with the issues of the future. 

Today also saw the showcase of one of our regular conference sessions, the EAIE Debate, chaired this year by Caspar de Bok. This year's provocation was “University rankings don't make sense”, a statement that succeeded in generating lively discussion in the room.  

Laura Howard began her argument in favour of the provocation, saying “We're not saying that rankings aren't necessary ... the point is that they don't make sense”. Furthermore, she questioned the claims of rankings’ methodological objectivity, arguing that “Any ranking reflects the thoughts of the ranker ... Rankings create a reality in at least as much as they reflect a reality” 

Referring to the verbiage of the provocation, Ellen Wang opened with a by quoting the Oxford English Dictionary: “Making sense means to be clear and understandable; rankings are a communication tool”. Arguing that rankings, while not perfect, do serve a beneficial purpose, she closed her argument with the statement that “University rankings do make sense because they trigger student decision making, whether we like it or not”. 

In the end though, the “for” side was the the most persuasive (admittedly by a slim margin, however), with 52% of the audience siding with their camp. All in all, it's fair to say that the debate is definitely not over! The EAIE Debate is a real fan favourite of the EAIE Conference and Exhibition as it reminds us to always be open to new ideas and different perspectives from a broad range of experiences.  

Last night's Networking Journeys – INSPIRE and EMPOWER – had participants from various backgrounds and experiences coming together to plot our future, together. Supported by fun activities like karaoke with a live band and rock 'n’ roll dancing lessons, these not-to-be-missed networking events were the talk of the conference today. Those who signed up to tonight's Networking Journeys – IMPACT and ENLIGHTEN – should expect a lively evening full of new experiences with new connections. 

What bold idea did you explore today? Perhaps you discovered a new sustainable action that you can champion, or problem solved a current conundrum with a (new) colleague? Make sure to share with the EAIE community on social media using #EAIE2024.