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Rotterdam seeks to bring prestigious international education conference to the city

27 October 2017

Rotterdam has announced its candidacy for the prestigious annual conference of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) in 2022. As the largest international conference for higher education in Europe, the event attracts some 5000 professional educators from over 85 countries every year. By bringing the conference to Rotterdam, the city seeks to solidify its international profile as a city of education

In a globalising world, it is important to consider the international context of education. The EAIE is the European centre for expertise, networking and resources in the internationalisation of higher education. Its annual conference offers an opportunity for professional educators to exchange knowledge and experiences on such topics as how internationalisation affects the competencies of students. Moreover, the conference creates options for face-to-face encounters with current contacts and new international relations, creating fertile ground for fresh ideas, partnerships and projects.

Rotterdam announced its candidacy to EAIE today by submitting a bid book. The plan for the Rotterdam edition of the conference is a joint initiative of the City of Rotterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Rotterdam branch of InHolland University of Applied Sciences, Codarts University for the Arts, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, and Rotterdam Partners. Rotterdam’s bid is supported by the Dutch education sector.

Rotterdam believes in the power of good education – education that also prepares young people for the world outside their own city. International education is an important part of that. Young people blossom into world citizens when they interact with international students and gain first-hand experience by studying abroad.

The four-day conference would take place in the new conference centre at Rotterdam Ahoy, and is expected to bring an economic boost of 7.5 million euros into the city.
The EAIE will reach its final decision regarding the location of the 2022 conference at the start of 2019. The other cities that may be submitting a bid have not yet been announced.