There will be no business as usual post-pandemic, agreed public higher education leaders from five countries at a gathering of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP). There has been an explosion of innovation in teaching and research, the best of which must be part of a future that vigorously tackles inequalities.
While people, universities and countries have faced an array of challenges and disruptions, at the same time research has helped to ease the devastating effects of COVID-19 worldwide and societies have realised the importance of science and of universities as a reliable source of knowledge.
The 19th IAUP Triennial Conference, entitled “Innovation and Inclusion: Key priorities for higher education in a post pandemic world”, was held virtually from 29 to 31 July 2021. It was hosted in Mexico by Dr Fernando León García, president of CETYS University and of the IAUP.
The event was attended by 430 leaders from more than 40 countries and some 80 experts. Innovation and inclusion were overarching themes, and there were special focuses on issues such as accreditation and quality assurance, internationalisation, and leadership and governance.
A session on “The impact of the pandemic on public higher education” was addressed by leaders from Brazil, China, Mexico, South Africa and the United States, and moderated by Dr Thandwa Mthembu, vice-chancellor of Durban University of Technology in South Africa.
From a global perspective, the pandemic has affected international students harshly. In the US, the number of new enrolments of international students dropped by 43% in the 2020-21 year – the biggest decline of any demographic group.
More information: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20211123115812185