Webinar “The Geopolitics of higher education” from the Metropolitan College Global University Hub

The event explored the international higher education practices and how they are affected by political dynamics at a global level.

Keeping up with the latest developments and changes taking place globally, the Metropolitan College Global University Hub organised a webinar on the geopolitical challenges of the 21st century and how they affect higher education.

The online discussion was attended by experienced and distinguished speakers from five countries. More specifically, speakers included:

• Prof. Dinos ARCOUMANIS, FREng
Former Vice-President of City, University of London, UK. Chairman of Metropolitan College’s Academic Board, GR.

• Jason CZYZ
Co-President of Institute of International Education (IIE), US.

• Prof. Jenny J. LEE
Center for the Study of Higher Education, University of Arizona, US.

• Prof. Mohamed ROCHDI
Attaché for University and Scientific Cooperation, Embassy of France in Greece.
Former Rector, University of Reunion, FR.

• Prof. Maurits van ROOIJEN
Chief Executive (Academic), Group Rector, Global University Systems.
Former President Compostella Group of Global Universities.
Former Rector Magnificus, Nyerode University, NL.

• Vivienne STERN
Director, Universities UK International (UUKi), UK.

The moderator of the discussion, Dr. Giannis Matsoukas, Executive Director, Global University Hub, Metropolitan College, set in the beginning the conditions that have developed internationally at the moment: weaknesses in global governance, growing political populism, nationalism and authoritarianism, the swinging balance of power towards China and Asia, climate-related emergencies and the growing demands for reparative social justice. “Globalization brought new opportunities and new challenges for graduates and academics seeking to prosper in and contribute to an increasingly interdependent world”, mentioned.

The discussion focused on the following 4 topics:

• Russia-Ukraine Conflict – The Geopolitics of Energy & Its Consequences in HE.
“At IIE, we reacted by issuing emergency grants to over 200 hundred Ukrainian students studying in the United States, so that they have enough funds for housing, tuition, books, etc. for a short period, as of course it’s difficult for them to receive funds from their family back in Ukraine”, stated Mr. Czyz, while Mr. Arcoumanis focused on the impact of the war on higher education: “Russian students that were coming in large numbers in the UK and in the US will find an unfriendly atmosphere waiting for them and therefore we are going to see very reduced numbers. […] The last few years we have seen partnerships between European universities and universities in Russia. All these partnerships will now have to be reconsidered”. Mr. Arcoumanis predicted that, due to the energy crisis caused by the war and the effort made by Europe to become independent of Russian energy, studies in alternative sources of energy will become popular.
Mr. Rooijen, in his turn, stated that “the real complicated here is that the Russian’s university presidents publicly have supported the war. It’s not difficult to imagine why that happened, i don’t think there was much alternative, but it does make it much more difficult for institutions outside Russia to ignore that”.

• Post-Brexit Britain in the Geopolitics of International HE.
“The proportion of people who can travel outside their home country to pursue higher education is always going to be limited. Typically, it’s about two percent of the higher education population worldwide that will seek degrees outside its country”, stated Ms. Stern, while Mr. Arcoumanis highlighted the great opportunity that Brexit has brought in institutions, like Metropolitan College, which cooperate with British universities: “European institutions, especially around central Europe, have the opportunity to develop English speaking programs, in order to attract students that may decide not to go to the UK because the fees are high”. Mr. Arcoumanis also mentioned that «the British education system will remain top, with this of US as well, contemplating and complementing each other in many ways».
As to whether the Anglo-Saxon model of higher education will be affected by geopolitical changes, Ms. Lee stated that “the anglo-saxon model is powerful, unlikely to be toppled anytime soon, even despite wars and geopolitical conflicts”, with Mr. Czyz agreeing, arguing that «almost every university around the world wants some type of partnership with a university in the UK, the US or Canada».
Ms. Stern stated, in her turn, that “we have to respond to how the world is changing around us and go with it. That is what will make us stronger”.

• The ‘Asian Century’.
“China is doing a lot right now and among those is of course the strive to have a higher proportion of world-class universities”, stated Ms. Lee, while Mr. Czyz and Mr. Rooijen agreed that China, in the last 20 years, has greatly improved the level of education it provides, constituting a major success story. “China wasn’t in the top 10 host destination rankings but now it’s number 4”, stated Mr. Czyz.

• Geopolitics and Knowledge Diplomacy in Southeast Mediterranean & Africa.
These areas «are hungry for partnerships with universities around the world, as they modernize their higher education system», stated Mr. Czyz, to add Mr. Rochdi that “something is getting better and better in those countries, specifically in Saudi Arabia. They are attracting students from Africa or from the wider area”.
On the contrary, Ms. Lee expressed reservations about these countries because of the continuing restrictions on academic freedom, gender and human rights.

You can watch the whole webinar here.

Τhe Metropolitan College Global University Hub is expected to organise other similar and related activities in the near future, aiming to be an effective communication channel between members of the educational community around the world.