Higher education institutions have seen growing numbers of international student populations, the continued establishment of English as a common language, new mediums of instruction such as hybrid and digital learning, increased mobility of staff and students, and globalisation. It is these aspects that form the notion of internationalisation in higher arts education as we know it, along with growing concerns surrounding various paradoxes emerging from the internationalisation paradigm.
Students and staff, all benefit from exposure to intercultural and international perspectives, as the diversification of curricula helps to achieve Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI), promoting social safety and facilitating intercultural understanding and collaboration.
Despite these advantages, the paradoxes that internationalisation present can be seen as quite daunting. Challenging topics have arisen such as climate change, political shifts towards right-wing parties, the divide between the Global North and the Global South, and the Covid-19 pandemic, and cases of inequality in various factions.
The PIE Working Group invites you to explore ‘The Paradox of Internationalisation’ in this context at the next PIE Annual Meeting in Prague, Czechia hosted by the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague.
This event questions
How dependent are we on international students for the purpose of internationalisation or are they key to financial sustainability?
How can we integrate students in local society in a time of growing nationalism and limited accommodation space?
How can we preserve national languages in relation to the prevalence as English as the language of tuition?
How can we achieve equity in higher arts education for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, locally and internationally?
How can we prioritise students' mental health in times of such uncertainty?
The PIE working group invites students, teachers, deans, directors, policymakers/advisors, heads of education departments and heads of internationalisation, Erasmus+ coordinators and anyone interested and dealing with internationalisation in higher art education and research from ELIA member institutions to co-create the programme and submit proposals on the main theme.
Who can apply?
Representatives of ELIA member institutions from all artistic disciplines and departments. As PIE is ELIA’s Platform for Internationalisation, this Call for Contributions is particularly interesting for heads of internationalisation, policymakers, leadership, and other staff members who are researching, advising on, creating strategies and policies in the field of internationalisation. Submissions by and with students are also very welcome.
How to apply?
Be creative. Your chosen format should stimulate lively debate, enable co-creation, facilitate dialogues, encourage participation, and move towards creating mutual understanding.
Deadline: 10 March 2024
Event: 05-07 June 2024 Prague, Czechia
Submit your contributions here
