"To travel is to live"

Hans Christian Andersen said it, and after 14 years working in the field of international higher education, I still agree. However, it always surprises me how time-consuming the preparation of “travelling” to international conferences is. Even though spring still feels surprisingly far away in a frosty Copenhagen, we have been busy bees this month preparing for a University of Copenhagen delegation led by Rector Henrik C. Wegener travelling to the APAIE conference in Singapore later this month. 

Under the APAIE auspices, the University of Copenhagen proudly takes part in two sessions in close collaboration with excellent international partners. I hope that you will join our discussions on 27 March on how we prepare for a new world of student mobility with tech opportunities and on how we target international partners strategically in creating “super partnerships” that benefit student mobility.

New beginnings – University strategy approved
On 11 December 2017 the University Board approved a new university-wide strategy  entitled “Talent and collaboration”. The strategy covers the period from 2018 to 2023. Over the period of the strategy, the University will maintain its focus on partnership agreements on research and education with the best universities in the world. 

During the spring and summer most parts of the university will be working on a more specific plan for implementing the ambitious goals outlined in the strategy.

Speaking Danish – more than a new language
Many international educators will agree with University of Copenhagen Professor Juni Arnfast when she says:”You can’t teach language without incorporating cultural aspects”. The pre-semester Danish Language Courses offered to your students is so much more than an introduction to the Danish language. I recommend your students to take advantage of this great opportunity to familiarise themselves with Danish language and culture. Besides providing international students with an exceptional introduction to the Danish language, the pre-semester Danish Language Courses facilitates cultural integration and social interaction.

Denmark recently adopted a national language strategy with two main objectives; firstly, that more students must choose foreign languages and achieve solid language skills beyond English, and secondly, language education and language teacher education must attract and retain the most talented students.

Connect to strengthen our partnership
As international partners of the University of Copenhagen we have invited those of you who participate in the APAIE conference to a Partner Breakfast on 28 March. During the breakfast you will have the opportunity to meet Rector Wegener and other University of Copenhagen delegates. There will be plenty of opportunity to connect and discuss our partnership. We have increasing student demands for studying abroad and we are interested in discussing with international partners how we can jointly increase student mobility. I look forward to seeing you there.