Going Global Conference, London 2012

QS attended the 2012 edition of the Going Global International Education Conference organised by the British Council. Among others, this was a good occasion for several QSIU analysts to get further in touch with universities and their leaders in a more practical way, beyond rankings figures.

After opening addresses from Dr Jo Beall and Rt Hon. Dr Vince Cable, the conference in London continued with a talk from Professor Homi Bhabha, who raised some major questions and challenges, setting the agenda for debate over the following two days. The second session of the day was devoted to the necessity of institutions to welcome change and transformation, in order to respond to the needs of new generations. Ben Wildavsky presented a number of emerging models that point the way to change, whether driven by technology or by changing notions of how to serve students.

Parallel sessions were taking place during the following days of the conference, some with specific regional focus (I attended the Eastern Europe and Central Asia one and found it very interesting) and others relating to global problems such as the changing role of the university, employability or internationalisation. The diversity of speakers and their experience in higher education has delivered knowledge and expertise in a concentrated manner to all those attending. But if you did not have the chance to be there, you can access videos and presentations from the 2012 Going Global Conference here.