Innovation in action at EAIE Gothenburg 2025

Day 2 of EAIE Gothenburg 2025 was alive with energy, ideas and collaboration. Across session halls and informal networking spaces, participants came together to share knowledge, explore innovative practices, and spark new perspectives. It was a day not just of listening, but of exchanging—where inspiration met professional growth, and where every conversation held the potential to shape the future of international education.

Exhibitors, posters and a touch of salsa 

At 08:30 in the morning, the day kicked off with our long-awaited EAIE Exhibition. As our biggest exhibition ever, we welcomed over 1000+ organisations from around the world to build and strengthen their international partnerships. Later, in our buzzing Poster Area,  universities from across Europe showcased research and innovations in a visual format perfect for deeper one-to-one exchanges. A standout was ''Like and Subscribe! Reaching Younger Audiences with the Help of Social Media'' by Maria Rosa Cabellos and Lorena Silos Ribas who highlighted how co-creating content with students leads to more effective communication. With 98% of students active on social media, their insights couldn’t have been more relevant. At the Community Drop-In Area, the day continued with an engaging talk by Vlado Damjanovic on how AI is reshaping international student recruitment, sparking lively discussion and idea-sharing. Later, the mood shifted to one that was more celebratory in nature, as participants gathered for a salsa session led by our community coordinator, Nicolas Bohorquez. It was the perfect way to bring everyone together through music, rhythm and plenty of good vibes.

Addressing global challenges together

Staying true to EAIE’s mission of equity and inclusion, Day 2 also provided space for courageous conversations on higher education in times of crisis. The session ''Partnering with HEIs Mid and Post Crisis: Examples from Gaza and Ukraine'' led by Larysa Chovnyuk (Ukraine) and Ahmed Abu Shaban (Palestine) and moderated by Dr. Allan Goodman, drew a full house. The speakers shared how institutions in conflict zones can be supported, not just through emergency funding, but also by building long-term resilience. For Gaza, this meant sustaining universities through international cooperation; for Ukraine, it meant addressing barriers such as access to equipment and research infrastructure. A similar theme was explored in ''Internationalisation in turbulent times: Embracing complexity and co-creating new research directions in a post-truth era.'' Here, Craig Whitsed, Jeanine Gregersen-Hermans, and Marina Casals Sala examined how to prepare emerging researchers to tackle societal challenges and ensure that internationalisation leads to meaningful, real-world impact.

Uncomfortable conversations cannot be avoided.

- Marina Casals Sala

 

Ministers on policy and practice

In the afternoon, attention turned to policy as participants heard from Susanne Conze (Head of Unit for Higher education in the Directorate General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport of the European Comission), Graeme Day (Minister for Higher and Further Education, Scottish Government, United Kingdom), and Urban Kodric (State Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Slovenia). Laura Rumbley, EAIE’s Director of Knowledge Development and Research and moderator of the session, reminded the audience that engaging with policymakers is essential so they can truly understand the challenges faced by higher education institutions. The panellists were asked what "GO-create" means in the broader European context. Susanne Conze emphasised the importance of sharing more stories about what international learning and teaching truly entail. By doing so, we are encouraged to step beyond our comfort zones, exactly what ''GO-create'' is all about. 

International education is massively beneficial to Scotland. Students are not a commodity. They belong to something, to the community. Spread the message about how positive this is. We should be proud and shout it from the rooftops.

– Graeme Day (Minister for Higher and Further Education, Scottish Govermenment, United Kingdom)

A memorable Opening Plenary

Day 2 also brought us our inspiring Opening Plenary. Sweden’s rich musical heritage was celebrated with a high-energy ABBA-Vision tribute band that had participants on their feet before the formal programme began. Mervin Bakker, EAIE Executive Director, officially welcomed participants, thanking Gothenburg and local hosting partners. EAIE President Sara Lopez Selga followed, reflecting on the privilege of coming together as a community with open hearts and minds. The Lord Mayor of Gothenburg, Aslan Akbas, and Renée Bengtsson, President of the Regional Council, then introduced the spirit of West Sweden, highlighting its culture of innovation and collaboration.

I hope you have a rewarding conference with opportunities for exchange and knowledge.

– Aslan Akbas, Lord Mayor of Gothenburg

Finally, changemaker Melati Wijsen, founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags, inspired the audience with her journey from youth activist to global leader. Drawing on her book ''Change Starts Now", she outlined four phases for the week:

1. Connect and be curious

2. Care and communicate

3. Collaborate confidently

4. Community

Her message was clear: no single person or organisation can create the change we need; progress requires all of us.

Change starts now, it starts with you, and together we can GO-create.

- Melati Wijsen

Looking Ahead

And that wraps up a remarkable Day 2 at EAIE Gothenburg 2025! The spirit of collaboration, innovation and honest dialogue is alive and well. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and answer the Question of the Day in the conference app and keep the discussions going. We’ve only just begun. Two more exciting days lie ahead. See you tomorrow for more updates from Gothenburg!