Halmstad University hosts one of the world’s largest conference in higher education
Halmstad University is one of the hosting universities when one of the world’s largest international conferences in higher education takes place in Gothenburg in September 2025. The conference, which is organised by EAIE (the European Association for International Education), is expected to attract more than 7,000 people from the sector, travelling from all over the world.
“EAIE creates unique opportunities for both students and teachers to exchange both perspectives and knowledge. We are very excited about next year’s conference.”
Simon Holmesson, Director for International Relations
During the annual conference, politicians, vice-chancellors and staff in international education gather to network and participate in workshops and lectures on current topics within the sector. Several international organisations participate as exhibitors at the conference’s fair.
Although the conference has a European focus, representatives from universities from all continents participate, to build relationships with partners in higher education. Halmstad University collaborates with 200 partner universities to varying extents.
“A lot of resources are required to maintain these relationships and EAIE is a good opportunity to meet representatives from several universities on a joint occasion to be able to discuss current agreements and how to develop the work going forward. This forum also offers opportunities to make contacts with potential new partners who would otherwise have required longer and more resource-intensive processes”, says Simon Holmesson, Director for International Relations at Halmstad University.
The conference, which takes place on September 9 to 12 of next year, is organised by the Dutch organisation EAIE with the help of hosts from local higher education institutions. Next year, Halmstad University is hosting as a part of a consortium consisting of six universities in western Sweden. In addition to Halmstad University, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg, University of Borås, University of Skövde and Jönköping University are part of the consortium. During the conference week, all participants will be invited to a campus tour at each university in the consortium, to gain deeper insight into its activities.
“As co-organiser of the EAIE 2025 conference in Gothenburg, we are making a tangible contribution to building bridges between people and countries around the world. EAIE creates unique opportunities for both students and teachers to exchange both perspectives and knowledge, which is more important than ever in an increasingly polarised world. We are very excited about next year’s conference”, says Simon Holmesson.
Text: Helena Bengtsson
Photo: European Association for International Education
