Conference
Following the success of the virtual conference ‘Racial Inequality in Higher Education: A Transatlantic Conversation’, held online on 3 December 2020, the Fulbright Commission in Brussels has teamed up with the U.S. Mission to the European Union and the U.S. Embassy to Luxembourg to organize a 2nd conference focusing on diversity in higher education more broadly. This time, we will dive deeper into the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic and how international virtual exchanges (IVE) can continue to be a tool to provide quality international educational experiences to diverse student populations. Similarly, our panel discussions and keynote presentations will highlight specific challenges that higher education stakeholders face in diversifying the student body both in the classroom and once they head out into the workforce.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on access to education for students from all backgrounds, bringing challenges to the forefront that never before had been considered. How did the move to online learning impact students from diverse backgrounds? As we move forward into a “new normal,” what can we do to ensure that these students are not left behind and can catch up on lost time?
Now more than ever, it is important to consider diversity, equity and inclusion in the policies at all levels in order to help ensure that students of the future continue to get access to quality education no matter their background and can continue on into forming a more diverse and inclusive society after graduation. How can higher education institutions make informed decisions to diversify their student population? What can governments or ministries do to ensure that schools are open and equal for all students, and that those students can get access to the jobs they are qualified for? We will tackle some of these questions in sessions throughout the afternoon.
Date and time
29 September 2022 from 12:00h to 20:00h CEST
Location
In-person at KBR (Royal Library of Belgium) in Brussels OR virtually via Zoom
Price
Attendance is free of charge but registration is required and first come, first served
Registration
Participants can choose to attend the entire event in person or virtually but registration is required.
Note that registration closes on 26 September, 9:00 AM CET. Registration for in-person attendance is limited to the capacity of the Panorama Room at KBR. If more people register to attend in person, you may be put on a waitlist and sent the Zoom link to watch online unless space opens up to attend in person.
Schedule
13:00 – 13:15 CEST
Speech: Welcome words by the Fulbright Commission and U.S. State Department colleagues
13:15 – 13:45 CEST
Presentation: Keynote speech on diversity in higher education by Dr. LaNitra M. Berger, George Mason University
13:45 – 15:15 CEST
Panel discussion: Benefits and drawbacks of international virtual exchanges
15:30 – 17:00 CEST
Panel discussion: Tackling audience-specific challenges – diversity from the point of view of students, universities, policymakers and the workforce
17:00 – 17:30 CEST
Speech: Closing remarks
17:30 – 19:30 CEST
Walking dinner and networking