Prof. Dr. Hans de Wit

Higher education has been always international in its research and education missions. But only over the past 40 years internationalisation has become a key strategic agenda for institutions, governments and international entities such as OECD, UNESCO, the World Bank and the European Union.

How has higher education internationalisation evolved over the past decades in its meanings, rationales, approaches and different dimensions (mobility, curriculum, research, partnerships)? What have been its main dynamics and challenges? And what will be the future of internationalisation in the current climate of increasing geopolitical tensions (Russian invasion in Ukraine, tensions between China and the western world, new BRICS initiatives) and global social demands (decolonization, climate change, health and other SDGs)?

Hans de Wit is Professor Emeritus, Distinguished Fellow and former director of the 'Center for International Higher Education' (CIHE) at Boston College, USA. Before, he was Director of the 'Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation' (CHEI) at the Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore in Milan, Professor of Internationalization of Higher Education at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and Vice-President for International Affairs of the University of Amsterdam.

He is a Senior Fellow of the International Association of Universities (IAU), founding member and past president of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), founding Editor of the Journal of Studies in International Education (SAGE), consulting Editor of the journal Policy Reviews in Higher Education and Co-Editor of International Higher Education.

He is author of books, articles and essays on international(ization of higher) education and is actively involved in consultancy for organisations like the European Commission and Parliament, UNESCO, World Bank, IAU.