Third Arab-Euro Conference on Higher Education (AECHE), 25 – 27 May 2016

BRUSSELS, 27-May-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — The European University Association (EUA) and the Association of Arab Universities, together with the University of Barcelona, will hold the Third Arab-Euro Conference on Higher Education (AECHE) from 25 to 27 May 2016. Under the theme “Opportunities and Challenges for Arab and European universities in fulfilling their societal mission,” the event will take place at the University of Barcelona in Spain.

The topic is timely as the effects of national and international crises, political repression, civil rights restrictions and armed conflict are challenging the ability of universities in both regions in fulfilling their missions. This year’s AECHE conference will focus on the contribution that universities can make to interregional dialogue, international collaboration and conflict solving – also in light of the escalation in the number of people fleeing their homes.

The continuing flow of refugees into Europe underlines the fact that the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East is not a regional problem, but a global emergency with worldwide implications, and a matter of common concern for universities both in Europe and in the Arab world. This conference represents a unique opportunity for institutions and organisations to share good practices in responding to refugees, and discuss implications for the higher education sector, including on funding.

Conference participants will also have the opportunity to discuss effective internationalisation strategies, how universities can contribute to social development and share experiences of positive cooperation between Arab and European universities.

Around 200 participants will attend the conference, including rectors and other academic representatives from Arab countries and Europe. There will be high-level participation at the event, in particular from the Arab world, including ministers from several countries.

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For more information, please visit the conference website.

AECHE, launched in 2013, is a platform for Arab-European higher education cooperation and exchange. For more information on AECHE, please click here.

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For more information please contact: EUA: Jessica Carter, tel: +32 2 743 11 59; mobile: +32 473 74 87 85; email: jessica.carter@eua.be University of Barcelona: Núria Quintana Jou, tel: +34 934 03 55 44; nquintana@ub.edu

The European University Association (EUA) is the representative organisation of more than 800 universities in 47 European countries and 36 national rectors’ conferences (NRCs). The Council of EUA is comprised of the President, the members of the Board, and of the presidents of all of Europe’s NRCs. EUA works closely with its members to ensure that the voice of European universities is heard.