Resources for press and partners
A look back at #EAIE2024
Thank you for being part of yet another record-breaking EAIE Conference and Exhibition! During the week 17-20 September, the city of Toulouse became the world capital of education, with over 7300 international higher education professionals from 110 countries gathering at MEETT convention centre for the 34th EAIE Conference and Exhibition. This year’s conference theme ‘En Route!’ signified our community's energetic movement towards a brighter future. A wide range of interactive sessions, workshops and local campus visits were held throughout the week, along with several networking events in Toulouse.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, The EAIE Conference and Exhibition is the largest international higher education conference in Europe. Through 240+ cutting-edge sessions and activities, in-depth workshops, an impressive showcase of 255 exhibition stands with over 900 exhibitors from around the world and a diverse array of networking events, this year's EAIE Conference gave participants the opportunity to enhance their expertise, explore current trends in higher education and establish partnerships with institutions from around the world.
The EAIE Exhibition is more than just a trade show, it is a global meeting place of exhibitors from every corner of the globe, including national pavilions. Networking and establishing partnerships are the focus for many participants in the Exhibition. See the full list of exhibitors who joined us in Toulouse.
The EAIE Conference and Exhibition is the highlight of the year for many professionals in international higher education. It’s the place where they meet their peers, find inspiration and energy and make plans together with old and new partners.
Snapshots from the week
Who attended
The largest of its kind in all of Europe, the EAIE Conference and Exhibition attracted leaders and decision-makers in international higher education from around the world:
• Rectors, vice-rectors, directors of international offices
• Professionals in student services, marketing and recruitment, credential evaluation,
alumni relations, etc
• Managers of international programmes
• Educators and researchers
• Government representatives
Conference theme: En Route!
A French and English phrase meaning ‘we are on our way', the 2024 conference theme 'En Route!' not only signifies our community's energetic movement towards a brighter future but also serves as a compelling call to action, inviting you to join us on this transformative journey. This work involves exploring the possibilities of increasingly powerful digital technologies, implementing sustainable practices in our institutions, developing innovative ways to support the interests of a wonderfully diverse community of students and staff, collaborating creatively with industry or community partners and so much more. Actively learning as we go, we are ‘en route’ to a better tomorrow through our individual efforts as professionals in the field and in the ways we identify opportunities and develop solutions as a community.
In a literal sense, our community were en route to Toulouse from all over the world, with a staggering array of diverse backgrounds. Everyone in our community brought unique insights into what our field needs and the opportunity to bring the community together for such an event as the EAIE Conference and Exhibition against the stunning backdrop of Toulouse was inspiring to participants and exhibitors alike.
Notable speakers
Élisabeth Moreno
Zhang Zhang
Key sessions on timely topics
Sustainable initiatives at the conference
At the EAIE we want to contribute to a clean future by choosing whenever possible sustainable and green venues, suppliers and products. The EAIE Conference and Exhibition has an impact on the environment, but this is also where we can make the biggest difference. Here’s what we do to support this goal:
Work with sustainable venues
- MEETT conference venue spans 3 hectares and features 10,700 photovoltaic panels producing enough electricity for 3600 homes annually.
- Its compact architecture minimises environmental impact, earning HQE™ and LEED® NC certifications for sustainable design and operations.
- Waste management includes thorough pre-sorting and recycling, and climate control is powered by an urban heating network from nearby facilities.
Embrace fair trade and sustainable conference items
- Provide biodegradable reusable coffee cups
- Use ecological printing paper
- Encourage reusable water bottles and provide water stations around the venue
- Cooperate with Township, a company that produces the conference tote bag and supports female entrepreneurship in South Africa
Encourage participants to make greener choices
- Promote train travel in our communications with participants and encourage reducing CO2 emissions with CANIE.
- Offer participants an ‘I travelled green’ sticker, both digitally and in-person to show they chose to travel sustainably.
- Share the #EAIEgreengoals hashtag and encourage participants to use it to spread the word about their own actions.
- Teach participants about sustainable practices at our dedicated Sustainability Corner at the conference.
- Organise a Netwalking activity in collaboration with Champ D’Actions Association where participants spend afternoon of cleaning and trash picking on the banks of the Garonne River in Toulouse.
Examples of sessions on sustainability in international education
- International education and sustainability: Where are we heading?
- Drawing on Sustainable Development Goals to create global changemakers
- How European Universities alliances are spearheading sustainability literacy for all
- Higher education strategies for sustainable development: "Washing" practices or real impact?
Partners
Campus Experiences
We collaborate with local universities and organise campus visits to highlight the host countries and region’s education system. See more here.
See list of Campus Experiences
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University Toulouse Capitole
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Université of Toulouse - Jean Jaurès
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Toulouse INP ENSIACET
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Toulouse School of Economics and Science Po Toulouse (University Toulouse Capitole)
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National Institute of Applied Sciences of Toulouse (NSA)
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Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier
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Life, agriculture and veterinary science and education in Toulouse
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Campus Showcase: Champollion University and The National School of Meteorology in Toulouse
EAIE social media channels
About the organisation
The European Association for International Education (EAIE) is a non-profit, member-led organisation serving individuals actively involved in international higher education. The EAIE connects thousands of higher education professionals and provides a forum for professional development, information dissemination and networking, with 3000 members from Europe and around the world. The organisation celebrates its 35th anniversary this year and will commemorate this big milestone, leading up to and during this year's conference.
At the EAIE, fresh ideas and best practices can flourish and shape the field of internationalisation. EAIE activities are geared towards helping professionals succeed in their work. In short, the EAIE is dedicated to promoting and driving responsible international education in Europe and beyond.
The EAIE Conference and Exhibition is the EAIE’s largest event as it attracts thousands of participants and takes place in a different European city each year.
