As this year’s 25th annual European Association for International Education (EAIE) conference came to a close in Turkey, its President Hans-Georg van Liempd reflected on what inevitably crept to the centre of discussions during the three day event: the protests in Istanbul.
“In order to build a truly European citizenship, mobility needs to go both ways”
Describing the demonstrations as unexpected, he told The PIE News, “We had cancellations from around the world, from the US because of travel warnings and at the same time we had people here who were caught in the demonstrations and we had to help them. But, being here made people more aware about the protests than what was being reported in the media.”
Renewed clashes between protestors and police erupted on Tuesday after an anti-government demonstrator was killed in the town of Hatay.
Around 4,800 delegates from over 90 countries met in the heart of Istanbul to discuss “weaving the future of global partnerships”. Turkey’s position as a young, politically developing and geographically strategic country was underlined by speakers and sponsor, Koç University. The venue endorsed the EAIE’s intent to ensure European mobility looks outwards too.
Speaking of the future, van Liempd told The PIE News that he is undeterred by political unrest and said “these conferences only benefit regions of instability.”
Hans-Georg van Liempd endorsed Ashdown’s keynote address: “it is all about building networks”
When asked about future conference locations and areas of unrest such as the Middle East, he said, “It’s a challenge and we may not have one [in the Middle East] for the next 10 years. Ultimately, we are a European organisation and should stay in Europe, but we should also reach out, which is why it was important for us to be here in Istanbul.”
True to this year’s theme of building partnerships, delegates were given opportunities to visit nine local universities in surrounding regions. Former leader of Britain’s Liberal Democratic party and UN diplomat Paddy Ashdown, noted Turkey’s strategic importance between West and East in his rousing opening plenary.
He noted that countries that developed their intellectual capital and their ability to network beyond borders – and not just with countries with very similar political values – would be the nations that prospered in the future.
“If there is a profession to be in, that marks the development of future, it is yours”
“If there is a profession to be in, that marks the development of future, it is yours,” he told the crowd.
In a bid to further this dialogue between Eastern and Western Europe, van Liempd also told The PIE News: “mobility within the continent is predominantly from East to West. In order to build a truly European citizenship, mobility needs to go both ways.”
“Since we are in Prague next year, we will aim to reach out to Eastern Europe” he added.
One compelling dialogue gave delegates a window into the Middle East higher education landscape in the ongoing Arab Spring, detailing shifting attitudes of university educators and students. Describing the Arab education system, Khaled Fahmy, Professor at The American University in Cairo said, “one of the main problems with Arab universities is a lack of value for a liberal arts education”.
The unrest was largely confined to one night during the event
Explaining the rampant use of social media among today’s Egyptian students and how it is widening the chasm between professors and the student body he said, “students actively dumb themselves down and appear backward, just to avoid challenging their professors.”
There were also a range of seminars focusing on new partnerships being formed in East Asia and the continent’s future internationalisation strategies, evolving marketing and recruitment tactics as well as workshops on working with African and Chinese institutions to promote mobility.
Organisers were quick to prioritise safety and cancel receptions in Istanbul due to a potential outbreak of demonstrations. The unrest was however, isolated to Istiklal street near Taksim square and most EAIE events around the city went ahead as planned in other areas.
To see more photos of the event, visit our Gallery.
