Strategic leaders shaping the future of the EAIE
The EAIE Board drives the strategic vision of the Association and ensures the organisation stays on course to achieve its mission and goals. These leaders, including the President and Vice-President, represent the community’s voice and develop the strategy that moves the EAIE forward, ensuring it serves the sector in the best way possible.
Why volunteer?
Influence the field’s direction
Help shape the Association’s strategy and future priorities, contributing directly to EAIE’s goals and the advancement of international education.
Make a lasting impact
Champion meaningful initiatives, support the community and play a visible role in strengthening the sector across Europe and beyond.
Enjoy additional perks
Benefit from reduced Annual Conference fees and form a supportive network of colleagues who often grow into lasting friendships.
Meet the Board
Sara López Selga
Sara is President of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) and Director of International Relations at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Barcelona, Spain. She is responsible for influencing and implementing internationalisation strategy, promoting agreements and projects for mobility and academic cooperation worldwide, supervising international student services and programme development. Previously, she gained professional experience at the Teaching and Learning Institute of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – UPC) and in Brussels, Belgium, thereby becoming involved in coordinating an EU capacity-building project with Latin America. In 2014, Sara conducted research in international education as a Schuman-Fulbright Scholar in the USA. She received the EAIE Bo Gregersen Award for Best Practice as part of the Network of Catalan Universities. She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences and Sociology and a Master’s in Public and Social Policies from UPF. She also received executive training at the Anderson School of Management at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), USA.
Sara's term as President of the EAIE is from September 2024 to 2026.
Tayyeb Shah
Tayyeb Shah is the Vice President of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) and Managing Director of HSC Education. He is a past Deputy Vice Chancellor of The University of Western Australia and served as Deputy Vice President at King’s College London before that. Tayyeb spent over a decade in the commercial sector before transitioning to higher education in 2007. He is a member of several boards, including the University of Staffordshire and The Brightside Trust, and advises clients, including governments and universities worldwide, on Transnational Education and Research and Internationalisation strategy. Educated at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, SOAS, and Imperial College London, Tayyeb is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Edyta Lachowicz-Santos
Edyta is the Director of Internationalisation Strategy at the University of Economics in Katowice, Poland. She has been engaged in diverse activities related to the internationalisation of higher education institutions within various positions for the past 20 years. She has coordinated and participated in many international projects involving higher education institutions and employers. She has also co-founded and is a board member of the Silesian Universities Network (SUN).
Since 2018, Edyta has cooperated with the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) as an expert and consultant. She has been involved with the EAIE since 2002, received the EAIE Rising Star Award in 2015, and is currently a member of the EAIE Board.
Joanne Pagèze
Joanne Pagèze is Vice-President for Internationalisation at the University of Bordeaux, and university lecturer at the Department of Languages and Cultures. She has worked in university language education for over 25 years and has a research interest in the internationalisation of the curriculum and education for global engagement. She has wide experience in teacher development having set up an award-winning programme at the University of Bordeaux (national PEPS prize 2017) and participated in EQUiiP (an E+ Strategic Partnership). Her current position covers all aspects of internationalisation but she still enjoys working alongside lecturers in the classroom. Assistant-editor of the European Journal of Language Policy, she is a board member of RANACLES affiliated to CERCLES. She holds a research Master's degree from Ecole Normale Supérieur de Cachan/ University Bordeaux Segalen and another Master’s degree from St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge.
Joanne has been involved with the EAIE in different roles and since 2024, she has been a member of the EAIE Board.
Stephen Orme
Stephen Orme is Head of Business Development and Operations at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences after previously being employed by Studyportals, Navitas, Study Group, Nuffic and Leiden University. He has a wide range of experience in the field, covering admissions, international recruitment, pathway education and management. Stephen was born in Northern Ireland but was educated in the Netherlands. He holds a Master of Arts degree in English Language and Literature.
Stephen has been involved with the EAIE in different roles. He won the EAIE Rising Star award in 2009 and was a member of the EAIE General Council for two terms, from 2020-2024. Since 2024, he has been a member of the EAIE Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Board members appointed?
When a position on the Board becomes available, the EAIE issues a call for applications. All applications are reviewed by the Appointment Advisory Committee, which selects interview candidates. Following the interviews, the Committee recommends a candidate to the General Council. The General Council then appoints the new Board member based on these recommendations. Applications to join the Board are now closed; when a new position is announced, a new application period will be opened.
Do I need to be an EAIE member to apply?
Yes. You must be a current EAIE member to apply for a role on the Board.
How long is the term?
Board members serve an initial 2–3 year term and may be appointed for a second term.
How are the President and Vice-President appointed?
The President and Vice-President are appointed from among the Board members. When applying for a Board position, you may indicate your interest in being considered for one of these roles in the future.