Rage Against the Machine? The rise of AI forces a rethink of what universities do, and maybe what they are

In October 2024 U21 will bring together leaders in International Education to discuss the role of world-leading universities in ‘Preparing Students for a Global Future’. Ahead of the event, Professor Simon Chesterman, the event’s keynote speaker, shares a preview of his view that AI forces us to rethink everything about universities, including delivering global competencies, opportunities and learning across the campus. 

Spotlight on EDI - Migrant Overseas Education Initiative

A key element of U21’s recently ratified Framework for Equitable and Inclusive Global Engagement is a commitment of network members to strive for Global education to be universally available irrespective of background, ability, or means.

This summer 17 students from University College Dublin Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO)  took practical action to support this ambition working with the Migrant Overseas Education Initiative (MOEI**). MOEI is a volunteer English teaching programme that operates in Southeast Asia. The students delivered over 1,000 hours of English teaching to more than 200 underprivileged local students in Cambodia and raised funds to renovate classrooms and facilities.

Hilary Minch, UCDVO Manager, shared more about the programme

A Force for Good - U21 RISE Award Winners Announced

From creating educational tools for children with leukaemia to revolutionising the storage of solar energy, U21 is delighted to play a role in furthering the impact of student social entrepreneurs via the U21 RISE Showcase and Award. 

Spotlight on EDI - Curriculum Transformation at the University of Johannesburg: A Case Study of Decolonising Curricula

Emerging from an online meeting of the U21 Senior Academic Developers Group held in 2024, where the focus was the issue of Curriculum Transformation, we are pleased to share a case study from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). In it, Kirti Menon, Senior Director of the Division for Teaching Excellence, delves into the systemic considerations underpinning curriculum reform at UJ.  

Spotlight on EDI: Waseda University

On a recent visit to Waseda University, the U21 team learned of the groundbreaking EDI initiatives spearheaded by President Aiji Tanaka. We invited Kate Elwood, Dean of International Affairs and a professor in the School of Commerce, to write the following piece on the initiatives undertaken by Waseda to enhance equity, diversity and inclusiveness in their university community.

RISE success for alumni start-up, The Moonbeam Co

In 2021/22, Singaporean start-up The Moonbeam Co were awarded the title of ‘Most Innovative’ in the RISE Awards and Showcase. Since winning, the team have further committed to overcoming global inefficiencies in the management of food supply and waste as a means of meeting Sustainable Development Goal 12.