The Association of Commonwealth Universities will take part in Going Global this year, an annual forum for education world leaders to debate international higher and further education challenges and to discuss collaborative solutions. Going Global 2015 will take place on 1 and 2 June 2015 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, London. Registration for the forum is now open.

The ACU’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr John Kirkland OBE, will be presenting on the topic of Universities and international innovation networks as part of a session on international research cultures, practices and networks. The event explores how convergence and divergence in research cultures and practices are manifest in international and regional research collaborations, as well as pin-pointing the competencies needed by globally mobile researchers to navigate an evolving landscape.

In addition, Joyce Achampong, Director of External Engagement at the ACU, will be taking part in a session titled Global innovation networks: the anatomy of change, aimed at reflecting on the role global university networks play in today’s rapidly evolving global higher education system. She will be joined by representatives of different networks, who together will explore the rationale for their work, the ‘theories of change’ that underpin how they approach innovation, and how they evidence the impact of their activity. The debate will circle around questions fundamental to university network experts, such as how networks can they be managed in ways which balance ’self-interest’ with the ‘common good’.

Also, Liam Roberts, Programme Officer with the ACU’s Programmes and Projects Unit will be participating in the planned TNE: Global Wellbeing or New Imperialism? session, focussing on the ACU’s The world beyond 2015 – Is higher education ready? campaign. Just as the campaign is designed to raise awareness of how higher education can and should respond to global challenges beyond 2015, this session will highlight the impacts of transnational higher education on local, regional and national development, on employability and on national cultures and local knowledge. Participant dialogue will be enhanced through fishbowl conversations to develop collaborative visions and practical strategies to enhance the contribution of transnational higher education to global wellbeing.

With the internationalisation of higher education being a leading theme at the forum, the ACU is delighted to announce the launch of its Internationalisation Community, which will be taking place at the event. The Internationalisation Community will explore developments in and contribute to debates on the international education agenda, improving and expanding collaboration between member universities. More information is available on the ACU Member Communities page. If you have any further questions or would like to register your interest, please contact Neil Johnson, Member Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected]

For further information on the forum and to register, please visit the Going Global website.

ACU members are also entitled to a £100 discount off the price of a standard ticket – register here using the following discount code: GGPartner5102