DAAD presence at EAIE 2026 in Glasgow
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and its member universities will be actively involved in diverse exchange formats, workshops, panels exhibition booths, and poster presentations.
DAAD’s contributions address key trends and developments in internationalisation, spanning national internationalisation strategies and global mobility trends, support for researchers at risk, and efforts to improve refugees’ access to higher education. They also explore innovative approaches, including the use of immersive technologies in teaching and student recruitment.
A special highlight will be the launch of the EU initiative “Study and Research in Africa” (SRiA), which aims to raise the profile and appeal of African universities and strengthen academic cooperation with Europe. The initiative promotes profile-building, increased mobility, and targeted knowledge exchange. SRiA is overseen by the Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) and jointly implemented by DAAD and the Association of African Universities (AAU).
10:30–11:00 BST
Community Talk: Mentorship Must-Knows to Unlock Your Potential (CDA19)
Room: Community Drop-in Area, Stand F09, SEC Centre, Ground floor
Ready to grow, share your expertise or expand your network? Join us to explore the impact of mentoring and discover what you can gain as either a mentor or a mentee. We’ll cover how the EAIE mentorship programme works, the benefits of participating, and everything you need to know about applying for next year’s popular member-exclusive programme, including key dates and timelines.
Speaker: Peter Kerrigan, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), USA
16:00–17:00 BST
Speed Networking 03: Young Professionals (S1.09)
Room: M1, SEC Centre, Level 1
Description:
A facilitated networking session for young professionals aged 30 or younger who are beginning their careers in international higher education. Participants can connect with peers, build their professional networks and make contacts in similar career stages. The session is designed to complement additional networking opportunities earlier in the day.
Speaker: Peter Kerrigan, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), USA
09:00–10:00 BST
Global Mobility in Flux: A Project Atlas Dialogue (S2.03)
Location: Gala 1 & 2, Armadillo, Level 1
Description:
This session explores how the pace and patterns of global student mobility are changing. Drawing on Project Atlas research, it examines leading host destinations and emerging sending countries, providing a global overview of the factors shaping mobility, with specific insights from Germany and Italy.
Speakers: Nora Nemeth (IIE, USA); Marco Calvi (Uni-Italia, Italy); Katharin Fleckenstein (DAAD, Germany)
09:00–10:00 BST
A European Safe Haven for Science: What Place Is There for International Talent at Risk? (S2.02)
Location: Forth, Armadillo, Ground floor
Description:
The session examines the main considerations involved in establishing support for researchers at risk. It addresses how risk and inclusiveness can be defined and assessed, and explores the relationship between support measures and academic excellence. It also considers concrete opportunities for EU and national support in the coming years, including expectations for the next EU budget.
Speakers: Philipp Effertz (DAAD, Germany); Elisabetta Dolzan (University of Trento, Italy); Marija Mitic (European Commission, Belgium)
09:00–10:00 BST
Taking the Pulse of National Strategies for Internationalisation: Trends to Track (S2.06)
Location: Boisdale 2, SEC Centre, Ground floor
Description:
This session looks at current and emerging national strategies for internationalisation across Europe. It explores how these strategies are responding to changing narratives and increasing complexity in the global and national higher education environment, including the role of European Universities alliances and other instruments.
Speakers: Irina Ferencz (ACA, Belgium); Mervin Bakker (EAIE, Netherlands); Rachel Sandison (University of Glasgow, UK); Kai Sicks (DAAD, Germany); Alenka Flander (CMEPIUS, Slovenia)
09:00–10:30 BST
Poster: A Virtual Reality Live Demo: Rethinking Learning, Mobility and Marketing (126)
Location: Poster Area 02, Argyll Foyer, Crown Plaza Hotel, Ground floor
Description:
A live demonstration exploring how immersive technologies, including virtual reality and avatar-based virtual worlds, can enrich international higher education. The poster considers applications in teaching, learning and recruitment and draws on projects from RWTH Aachen University and DAAD. Participants can experience the virtual reality environments using headsets.
Speakers: Anne Knab (DAAD, Germany); Patrick Querl (RWTH Aachen University, Germany)
13:30–14:30 BST
Launching the Study and Research in Africa Initiative (S3.06)
Location: Boisdale 2, SEC Centre, Ground floor
Description:
The session officially launches Study and Research in Africa, a new initiative under the European Commission’s Global Gateway package. It focuses on strengthening and expanding academic cooperation between African and European higher education institutions, presenting the initiative’s objectives, key components and strategic relevance, while considering the role of digital transformation in future higher education and research collaboration.
Speakers: Kai Sicks (DAAD, Germany); Mervin Bakker (EAIE, Netherlands); Deidre Lennan (European Commission, Belgium); Olusola Oyewole (AAU, Ghana)
14:00–15:00 BST
Study in Germany booth reception: Invitation Meet & Greet with German Universities & the DAAD
Location: Study in Germany Pavillon, Booth A55
On the occasion of EAIE’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Glasgow, you are cordially invited to join us for an afternoon of networking,
while enjoying snacks and refreshments. We look forward to welcoming you at our booth!
15:30–16:30 BST
Boosting Access for Displaced Students: The Power of Global Collaborations (S4.09)
Location: Boisdale 2, SEC Centre, Ground floor
Description:
This panel explores new models of collaboration designed to improve access to higher education for refugee and displaced students. It highlights two initiatives—the Global University Academy and the EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar—as examples of how strategic partnerships can create sustainable academic pathways in crisis settings.
Speakers: Jonah Kokodyniak (IIE, USA); Marianne Knarud (University of Oslo, Norway); Michael Hörig (DAAD Office Brussels, Belgium)
09:30–10:30 BST
From ‘Threat to Life’ to ‘Research for Life’: Reimagining Academic Solidarity for a Global Future (S5.12)
Location: Castle 1, Crown Plaza Hotel, Ground floor
Description:
Using the experience of an Afghan researcher developing life-saving anti-cancer drugs as a starting point, this session explores a new approach to academic solidarity based on empowerment, internationalisation and global engagement. It examines how fellowship and hosting schemes for at-risk researchers can benefit researchers, universities and society more broadly.
Speakers: Philipp Effertz (DAAD, Germany); Iris Vernekohl (Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Germany); Louise Watts (Campus France, France)
09:30–10:30 BST
Campfire: Staying Yourself While Everything Changes: Navigating Health Challenges at Work (S5.17)
Location: Community Drop-in Area, Stand F09, SEC Centre, Ground floor
Description:
A peer reflection session on how health challenges can affect professional identity, relationships and expectations at work. Participants will explore issues such as disclosure versus privacy, changing workplace dynamics and maintaining a sense of self, with a focus on the value of peer support and professional networks.
Speakers: Ceren Genc (Utrecht University, Netherlands); Stephanie Griffiths (Independent Intercultural Consultant and Trainer, UK); Peter Kerrigan (DAAD, USA)
10:30–12:00 BST
Poster: International Students Boost Public Finances and Drive Economic Growth (325)
Room: Poster Area 02, Argyll Foyer, Crown Plaza Hotel, Ground floor
Description:
The poster examines the economic contribution of international students to their host countries. Drawing on a study by the German Economic Institute commissioned by DAAD, it highlights the long-term contribution of international student cohorts to public finances and provides arguments for advocating on behalf of international students.
Speaker: Nina Salden (DAAD, Germany)
10:30 – 12:00 BST
Poster: From Campus to Career: Onboarding as the Foundation for International Talent Retention (302)
Room: Poster Area 01, Concourse, SEC Centre, Ground floor
Description:
This poster showcases how German universities use innovative and sustainable onboarding practices to support international students’ success and integration. Good practice examples illustrate how tailored linguistic, academic and social measures foster belonging, academic achievement and long-term talent retention with the objective to strengthen universities as global talent magnets.
Speaker: Katharin Fleckenstein, DAAD: German Academic Exchange Service, Germany
10:30–12:00 BST
Poster: Global Lessons in AI Literacy: What Higher Education Can Learn from Different Countries (322)
Location: Poster Area 02, Argyll Foyer, Crown Plaza Hotel, Ground floor
Description:
This poster compares approaches to AI competence and literacy across different countries, drawing on DAAD’s international network. It presents examples of policies and educational models that are shaping AI skills and literacy and offers ideas for institutions seeking to develop responsible and future-ready AI education through international and intercultural exchange.
Speaker: Regina Ring (DAAD, Germany)
09:00–10:00 BST
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students in International Education: Best Practices from Japan, Poland, Germany and the US (S9.17)
Location: Staffa & Shuna, Crown Plaza Hotel, Mezzanine
Description:
The session provides an overview of national LGBTQIA+ policies and examines practical approaches to supporting LGBTQIA+ students participating in international education. It presents examples from Japan, Poland, Germany and the US and explores how institutions can develop new ideas and practices in the context of internationalisation.
Speakers: Peter Kerrigan (DAAD, USA); Katarzyna Pardyka (University of Lodz, Poland); Denis Smirnov (Ritsumeikan University, Japan)
09:00–10:00 BST
A Welcoming Culture Under Difficult Conditions: Experiences of Discrimination Among International Students (S9.01)
Location: Forth, Armadillo, Ground floor
Description:
This session examines the challenges of creating a welcoming environment for international students in a difficult political and social climate. It focuses on the tension between efforts to attract qualified international students and experiences of discrimination, drawing on recent research and real-life case studies from Germany and the Netherlands.
Speakers: Kumi Tempels (Nuffic, Netherlands); Nina Salden (DAAD, Germany)
