The International Education Association of South Africa, a non-profit organization, is committed to advancing internationalization in higher education to enhance the quality of teaching, learning, research and community engagement. Over the years, IEASA has played a crucial role in preparing graduates, faculty and citizens to make significant contributions to local and global knowledge landscapes.
The International Education Association of South Africa recently commemorated its 25th anniversary with a comprehensive annual conference and Global Leadership Summit. The event, attended by 262 delegates from South Africa and 22 other nations, provided a platform for reflection on IEASA’s achievements and its vision for the future of international higher education.
IEASA, a non-profit organization, is committed to advancing internationalization in higher education to enhance the quality of teaching, learning, research and community engagement. Over the years, IEASA has played a crucial role in preparing graduates, faculty and citizens to make significant contributions to local and global knowledge landscapes.
Diverse perspectives
With the theme “Looking Back – Looking Forward,” the conference brought together a diverse group of attendees, including academics, internationalization leaders, students and innovators, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives on global education. Distinguished speakers included Professor Ramu Damodaran, associated with the intergovernmental University for Peace to the United Nations, who delivered a lecture on “Higher Education and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Damodaran highlighted the historical significance of Durban as a city aligned with India’s freedom struggle initiated by Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr. Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, expressed her enthusiasm about the focus of the conference on the Global South. “The conversations have been incredibly important and enjoyable; it’s wonderful to be here,” she said.
Focus on inclusivity
Dr. Lavern Samuels, president of IEASA and director of international education and partnerships at the Durban University of Technology, emphasized the conference’s theme. He noted that the gathering aimed to explore how internationalization could become more inclusive and better aligned with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
Normah Zondo, deputy president of IEASA and executive director of corporate relations at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, highlighted South Africa’s increasing role as a magnet for international collaborations and students.
“As higher education institutions focus on post-pandemic renewal and enhance their international engagements, opportunities for groundbreaking research, cultural exchange, academic excellence and career advancement abound,” Zondo stated.
Addressing issues
Throughout the conference, critical issues in international education were addressed, including post-lockdown strategies, decolonization efforts, VUCA agendas (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity), the global education 2030 agenda, and the promotion of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in internationalization.
For those in the higher education sphere, the conference provided a significant platform to review past achievements and chart pathways for the future, reinforcing South Africa’s emerging role as a hub for international academic collaboration.
