Inclusion in internationalisation of higher education expert network starts
The Finnish National Agency for Education supports the internationalisation of Finnish higher education institutions by implementing both national and international funding programmes that promote internationalisation and mobility. Inclusion is a key principle in these programmes. The aim is to ensure that international mobility and internationalisation in higher education are accessible to the entire higher education community and that related practices promote equality, diversity, equity, and a sense of belonging. Promoting inclusion is also seen as a key means to encourage the entire higher education community to participate in mobility, and thereby increase international mobility in higher education institutions.
The network’s activities provide not only an opportunity for information sharing and discussion but also perspectives and concrete tools for promoting inclusion as part of internationalisation of higher education through expert presentations. Additionally, the network serves as an expert pool whose insights the Finnish National Agency for Education can utilise when needed to develop inclusion in internationalisation and mobility within the higher education sector, or, for example, by inviting network members to participate in various seminars and events.
Joining the network is entirely voluntary and does not impose any obligations. Participation is free of charge, and no remuneration is provided for it. Meetings and discussion sessions are organised on an average of 1–2 times per semester via remote connections.
Network members
The network is meant for those interested in promoting inclusion in international mobility and internationalisation within higher education, including higher education experts, academic/teaching staff, project actors, representatives of organisations, researchers, and other authorities.
We invite higher education institutions to nominate 1–3 members who will register themselves for the network by 7 March 2025. The members will act as liaisons between the network, the Finnish National Agency for Education, and their higher education institutions. If needed, they may share meeting invitations and other materials produced and distributed by the network within their organisations. Representatives of organisations, authorities, and researchers working on inclusion and internationalisation are also warmly welcomed and invited. Network members will be added to the Teams platform managed by the Finnish National Agency for Education, which serves as the main channel for communication and material sharing.
The network’s first meeting will take place on 18 March 2025, from 13:00 to 15:00, on the Teams platform. During the meeting, the network’s activities will be discussed in more detail. The pilot phase of the network is initially planned to last until the end of the current Erasmus+ programme period, i.e., until summer 2027, after which the need to continue the activities will be reassessed.
We ask representatives of higher education institutions to discuss participation in the network internally and to nominate 1–3 members who will register for the network. We hope for participants representing various roles within higher education institutions. The meeting invitation and participation link will be sent to those who have registered for the network before the event.