Unlocking Latin America's potential in global higher education

Strengthening Latin America's position as an international study destination

As international student mobility evolves, Latin American universities have an opportunity to position themselves as attractive destinations for students seeking high-quality education, cultural experiences and international career opportunities.

Speakers explored how the region could build on its academic strengths, linguistic diversity and expertise in areas such as sustainability, agriculture and biodiversity during the panel Strengthening the Americas as a Competitive Student Destination.

Dr Santiago García Álvarez, Chancellor of Universidad Panamericana's Mexico City Campus, emphasised the importance of communicating what makes Latin American institutions distinctive, including their educational approaches, cultural richness and personalised student experiences.

However, attracting international students requires more than promoting these strengths. Dr Florentine Strzelczyk, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at Western University, highlighted the importance of offering students a credible and supportive educational experience, including admissions, accommodation, work opportunities and graduate outcomes.

"Our friend is authenticity, and authenticity comes with student testimonials."

Dr Florentine Strzelczyk, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Western University

Dr Strzelczyk's comments reinforced the value of communicating genuine student experiences and providing clear information that helps prospective students make confident decisions.

Traditional definitions of student mobility were challenged; rather than focusing exclusively on full-degree study abroad, universities could expand access through shorter exchanges, internships, joint research projects and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).

These flexible models could make international experiences more accessible to students who face financial or practical barriers to studying overseas.

Moving from international agreements to strategic partnerships

During the Summit, speakers questioned whether traditional university partnerships are delivering sufficient long-term value.

Speaking about Transnational Education as a Growth Engine Across the Americas, panellists discussed how universities can move beyond student exchanges and memoranda of understanding towards deeper partnerships that support research, workforce development and institutional growth. It was highlighted that the success of a partnership should be measured by its outcomes, rather than the number of agreements signed.

Mtra Brenda Galaviz Aragón, Director of Internationalisation at Anáhuac México University, emphasised the importance of shared long-term ambitions, institutional integration and mutual commitment. Effective partnerships require involvement beyond international offices, bringing together academic departments, researchers and institutional leadership.

Speakers discussed a range of approaches to transnational education, including joint campuses, collaborative research programmes and shared academic delivery. They also considered how more flexible qualifications could allow students to study across institutions, while ensuring programmes remain relevant to local needs.

David Cárdenas, Dean at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, reinforced the importance of having committed individuals who can turn institutional agreements into lasting collaborations.

"You need to have a champion."

David Cárdenas, Dean, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

Drawing on his experience developing a partnership with a university in Ecuador, he explained how sustained faculty engagement helped expand an initial agreement into a wider collaboration involving students, researchers and academic programmes.

Financial sustainability, degree recognition and alignment between institutional priorities were also raised as important factors in developing successful partnerships. Speakers discussed how universities across Latin America could use these collaborations to address local skills needs, expand research opportunities and contribute to economic development.

Putting human-centred innovation into practice

While internationalisation creates opportunities for growth, universities must also reconsider how they teach, collaborate and prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

The workshop Innovation Implementation: Building What Comes Next, led by representatives from the University of Notre Dame and Universidad Panamericana, brought together insights from across the Summit and challenged delegates to translate ideas into practical institutional action.

Dr Hiram Eredín Ponce Espinosa, Director of the Center for Innovation and Technological Development at Universidad Panamericana, identified three priorities: strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring innovation serves a wider societal purpose and translating ambitious ideas into realistic action. He highlighted that innovation must extend beyond improving institutional processes to addressing broader challenges facing students and communities.

This human-centred approach was particularly relevant to discussions around artificial intelligence – across the workshop, participants considered how universities can integrate AI into teaching and research while protecting the critical thinking, creativity and ethical judgement that remain essential to graduate success. Rather than treating technological adoption as an end in itself, the discussion focused on how institutions can use innovation to improve learning experiences and prepare students for changing workforce expectations.

Delegates also shared practical examples of institutional transformation, including student-centred learning models, interdisciplinary programmes and peer-to-peer initiatives supporting responsible AI adoption.

The workshop encouraged participants to rethink established approaches to assessment, curriculum design and student engagement, while recognising the importance of institutional structures that enable experimentation.

Key takeaways from the QS Higher Ed Summit: Americas 2026

Authenticity matters in student recruitment  

Universities should communicate what makes their institution distinctive, drawing on genuine student experiences and clear graduate outcomes.

International mobility needs to be more accessible

Short-term exchanges, joint degrees and virtual collaboration can create opportunities for students who may not be able to study abroad for extended periods.

Successful partnerships require shared priorities

Transnational education initiatives need clear objectives, institutional commitment and sustainable models that benefit both partners.

International collaboration should respond to local needs

Joint programmes, research partnerships and flexible qualifications can help universities address regional skills gaps and strengthen research capacity.

Innovation must remain human-centred

As universities adopt new technologies, including AI, maintaining a focus on critical thinking, student needs and practical implementation will be essential.

What's next for higher education in Latin America?

The QS Higher Ed Summit: Americas 2026 highlighted the opportunities for Latin American universities to build on their regional strengths and play a greater role in international higher education. The discussions revealed how greater collaboration across the Americas could open new opportunities for students, strengthen research and support institutional development.

Looking ahead to 2030, the how will universities put these ideas into practice, adapting to changing student expectations while continuing to serve the communities and societies around them?

Continue the conversation at QS Higher Ed Summit: Americas 2027

The future of higher education in the Americas will be shaped by the institutions willing to collaborate, innovate and translate ambition into action.

Join us at the QS Higher Ed Summit: Americas 2027, hosted by Western University in Toronto, Canada, to connect with higher education leaders, explore emerging challenges and opportunities, and help shape the future of higher education across the region.