Call for Presentation Proposals

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, February 1, 2013

Stakeholders interested in international higher education collaboration are invited to submit presentation proposals for CONAHEC's 15th North American Higher Education Conference. CONAHEC's conference "Towards a Sustainable Future: The Role of International Education" will take place from May 1-3, 2013 in one of Canada's greenest cities, Edmonton, Alberta.

This exciting event will focus on how higher education institutions can contribute throught their daily international engagement activities to creating more equitable and sustainable societies. While higher education institutions have been at the cutting edge of many technological developments, and have served as spaces for our communities to grow and develop, achieving sustainable societies is a goal which should guide all of our activities. The role of international education in this should not be underestimated.

We invite the sharing of innovative frameworks and approaches implemented by higher education institutions to provide a locally relevant global dimension within their teaching, research and public service activities, with special emphasis in their consideration of and contribution to sustainability. Case studies and original research will be considered. CONAHEC extends a special invitation to representatives of Canadian First Nations, Native American tribes and indigenous peoples of other countries. In addition, we encourage perspectives from business, government, non-profit, primary and secondary education.

Suggested topics:

Track I - Internationalization

• Good practices in internationalizing institutions and their curricula while strengthening their local connections and relevance
• Fostering international opportunities for those unable to leave their home country
• Fostering the participation of institutions, governments and the business sector in international education and collaboration and involving higher education in local and international economic development

Track II - Mobility

• Developing, promoting and implementing student, faculty and staff academic mobility opportunities
• Strengthening quality assurance and improving recognition and transferability of courses, credits and degrees
• Comparative studies of the development, implementation and promotion of student exchange programs in other regions.
• Addressing important logistical factors in international mobility (health, safety, visas, etc.)

Track III - Issues & Trends in International Higher Education Collaboration

• Challenges and opportunities faced by institutions in preparing the "now" generation
• New competitors and innovative partnerships for higher education in a global context
• Lessons learned from European, Asian and Latin American educational initiatives and from inter-regional collaborative programs

Track IV - Identity

• Identities, cultures, languages and societies in a global knowledge-based society
• Preparing youth to adapt to an international & multi-cultural labor market
• Promoting and strengthening national, regional and cultural studies

Track V - Innovation

• Innovative strategies to position programs for a strong future
• Innovation in program development for international audiences

Track VI - Higher Education Priorities: Serving and Involving Indigenous Communities

• Successful experiences of Higher Education Institutions in connecting with and serving First Nations, Native American, and Indigenous Peoples in other countries
• Challenges, opportunities and lessons learned in international collaboration with colleagues working on sustainable development issues with indigenous communities

Track VII - International Academic Collaboration around Sustainability

• Successful cases of research, teaching and academic exchange and collaboration where the central topic is sustainability

Track VIII - The Policy Environment

• Case studies in government international collaboration initiatives
• Government perspectives on the relationship between international education and sustainability

LANGUAGES: Presentations are welcome in English, Spanish or French. Due to the high costs involved, only a small number of presentations will benefit from simultaneous interpretation services.

NOTIFICATION: Those who submit a proposal before the deadline will be notified by Friday, March 1, 2013, regarding the committee's decision about its acceptance.

COMPENSATION: Regretfully, presenters will not receive any compensation. Travel, lodging and conference registration fees will be the presenter's responsibility.

DEADLINE TO POST PRESENTATION ON WEB SITE: If your proposal is accepted and you would like your presentation posted on CONAHEC's Web site prior to the event, it must be submitted to CONAHEC by Friday, April 5, 2013. Photocopies of papers will not be provided at the conference however, submitted papers will be made available on the CONAHEC website.

Proposals must include:

• A brief abstract (maximum 150 words) summarizing your topic and how you plan to address it. Write this in a way that will attract audience members since it will be used in the conference program if your proposal is accepted.
• Complete contact information for each presenter
• A brief biographical summary that illustrates your expertise in the area you propose to address

Please note that abstracts, proposals, and biographical information can be submitted in English, French and/or Spanish, and translations you provide for the other two languages are also gladly accepted via email. If your proposal is accepted you will also be asked for a digital photograph of yourself (headshot).

CONAHEC reserves the right to edit/modify any information that is used in conference related materials.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Sean Manley-Casimir
Associate Director
CONAHEC - University of Arizona
Telephone: (520) 621-7761
Fax: (520) 626-2675
smanleyc@email.arizona.edu

We look forward to your submission!