Helsinki hosts EAIE international higher education conference

EAIE 2019 takes place in Messukeskus exhibition centre. Photo: Omaima Tebtob/Foreigner.fi.
The event takes place from 24 to 27 September at Messukeskus Expo and Convention Centre. This year the theme is 'encompassing all voices'.

The city of Helsinki hosts from 24-27 September the 31st Annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition, the largest international education conference. The 2019 conference theme is 'encompassing all voices'.

According to the organizers, the theme is "perfectly encapsulated in the country's approach to education for all", including those who might otherwise be marginalised, providing equal access to high-quality learning, and seeking out and incorporating divergent viewpoints into policy and practice.

Photo: Omaima Tebtob/Foreigner.fi

The event will gather in Helsinki hundreds of stakeholders from all over the world. During the week, they will be taking part in 17 workshops, 9 campus experiences -with visits to the main Finnish universities and Universities of Applied Sciences-, and 22 networking events. The aim is that participants can develop their skills in key internationalization areas, learn valuable tips an tricks, discover the local higher education system and network with students, faculties and high education professionals.

Finland's example

The conference started on Tuesday with an introductory session to the Finnish higher education system by Anita Lehikoinen, from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Attendants learned how Finns are trained from kindergarten to universities through a system focused on life-long learning that has turned the country into an innovation leader.

Internationalization, the role of new technologies in high education, best practices in recruiting students and strategies for success were other topics discussed on Tuesday's session, which ended with an open reception at Messukeskus Conference Centre.

EAIE is an European centre for expertise, networking and resources in the internationalization of higher education. Founded in 1989, it is a member-led organization serving individuals actively involved in the internationalization of their institutions. Its activities combine training, conferences and knowledge acquisition events. EAIE partners with stakeholder organizations and institutions to promote its