Higher Education Leaders discuss Green Internationalization at NTU
As the COP26 conference drew to a close, Nottingham Trent University hosted a panel of university leaders from across the world to consider the role of university internationalization in developing effective and timely responses to the global climate crisis.
Dr. Fernando León García, IAUP President, was part of the “Leaders Forum on Green Internationalization ”, alongside panelists from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
He shared perspectives with Dr. Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor and President of Nottingham Trent University, as well as Indu Shahani, Founding President of ATLAS SkillTech University, India, and Sue Harrison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Internationalization, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Among other conclusions, experts noted that while intent and commitment for all universities regarding actions on climate change and sustainability should be the same, there are also asymmetries that lead to different approaches regarding Green Internationalization, depending on the institution’s progress and region.
At the same time, e-mobility internationalization at home are increasing. Both minimize the need to travel and represent a smaller carbon footprint.
University leaders must consider the UN Sustainable Development Goals as priorities, and encourage internationalization from a “green” perspective that promotes greater awareness of climate change.
