NAFSA could be the strategic partner for global visionaries, change agents, and innovators in driving progressive changes and advancing human society.
I was heading to the San Diego conference center for the annual NAFSA conference, which is one of the largest events for advocating international education and humanity.
Thanks for NAFSA's kind invitation, which made my registration process go smoothly, so I could focus on understanding and sharing insights with participants across the world.
It's just about 7:30 am in the early morning, but there were already lots of people arriving in the conference halls of the convention center. This year's conference theme is "Purpose, Place, and Partnership." There were thousands of attendees in the field of international education from all over the world who came here to learn, brainstorm, and provide great solutions.
The conference hosted hundreds of seminars, workshops, expos, poster fair presentations, and many concurrent learning sessions. As a first timer, I was impressed by the conference agenda. So many well-educated professionals all over the world came here to advocate international education, peace, and justice, with the goal to advance humanity.
Based on my observation, the significant majority of these attendees were female educators who contribute to the success of international education industries across the world.
History of NSFSA: NAFSA -Association of International Educators was founded in 1948. Initially established as the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers, the organization was created to support professionals involved in the field of international education and exchange. Over time, NAFSA expanded its focus to include a broader range of international education activities.
Value: NAFSA believes that international education lies at the core of an interconnected world characterized by diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and well-being for all. NAFSA aims to strengthen the role of international education in fostering understanding and cooperation among nations. This includes fostering international education and collaboration, enhancing global learning opportunities, and advocating for policies that improve access to education worldwide.
Themes: The main themes for NAFSA conferences typically focus on:
2025： “Purpose, Place, and Partnership”: This year's theme is about building sustainable opportunities for global learners.
2024: "Resilience. Renewal Community": This theme underscores the global imperative for social justice and access, and advocates for the well-being of all
2023: "Inspiring an Inclusive Future": This theme emphasized the importance of inclusivity and diversity in international education.
NAFSA 2025 Plenary: I participated in the Plenary panel discussion presentation on May 29th, the female CEO of NAFSA hosted this program, and a few global academics and professionals shared their thoughts about international education, the effort they put in advocating higher education, especially in those areas with political turmoil.
NAFSA 2025 Poster Fair Presentation: On one side of the exhibition hall, attendees walked through the hallway to read through hundreds of posters which introduced international education accomplishments, global student exchange programs, the IT-enabled education application presentations, and safety & security issues, etc.
Workshops & Presentations: I went to a session called "Lights, Camera, Action" Storytelling, activism, and Social changes. The presenter shared some documentary films about social phenomena in Europe, advocating higher education for the people in rural regions. Some presenters shared their thoughts about the education's role in bringing peace and social justice.
I also went to the presentation, which introduced how Information Technology, such as AI and other application tools, makes a significant impact on international education management and innovation. I believe we should put more effort into promoting personalized education and people-centricity.
At the pavilion stage in the exhibition hall, NAFSA staff presented their membership services and solutions. I also listened to the presentations in the exhibition hall, a few young students shared their experience on helping students & their families in Africa and other rural areas in using technology to continue their international education program. The young lady felt very emotional when she shared her experience on how their team helped residents in Africa build water centers and education programs, improve their life quality, and explore international education opportunities.
NAFSA Expo: When we walked through the grand exhibition hall, I knew we live in a peaceful global world, people all over the world came here to introduce diverse education programs, as well as higher education-related solutions. When I chatted with those representatives, they were all friendly, passionately introduced their institutions, communities, and societies to me. That made me want to visit more nations all over the world. Sometimes, when the presenters pointed out certain social problems in one region of the world, when I chatted with the education representatives coming from that nation, they had a different viewpoint; I feel a lot of nations all over the world have made significant social progress. That's why we should always listen to both sides of the story. Most importantly, we need to shape our own independent perspective based on objective facts, personal experience, and the value we could bring to the world.
There were so many universities and colleges coming from Europe, Asia, South and North America to exhibit and do presentations, but I didn't see a lot of booths from the African area. I believe they also have some great international education programs in those nations.
Highlight: NAFSA's annual conferences focus on various themes related to international education, providing a platform for professionals to discuss challenges, share best practices, and explore new opportunities. Overall, the four-day NAFSA conference was a fulfilling experience. The highlights of the conference include such as:
- Innovative Practices: Sharing best practices in international education.
- Policy Advocacy: Addressing regulatory and funding issues in international education.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Promoting equitable access to education.
- Technology in Education: Leveraging digital tools for global learning.
- Resources & Support: Providing Professional Development Resources & Training
I believe NAFSA has spent decades building up an international education infrastructure and platform on which people all over the world can influence and promote the value of education. NAFSA could be the strategic partner for global visionaries, change agents, and innovators in driving progressive changes and advancing human society. There are still so many complex problems in the world we need to solve collaboratively; so many initiatives we should work together to harness innovation. More industries should get involved to improve global education effectiveness and amplify leadership influence across the world.
0 comments:
Post a Comment