4 reinvention best practices from across the pond

According to a new report from the American Council on Education (ACE), there are unique new opportunities as well as challenges for increased innovative higher education collaboration between United States’ and European institutions.

“Engaging with Europe: Enduring Ties, New Opportunities” represents the latest research in ACE’s International Briefs for Higher Education Leaders series, and explores trends that have emerged over the last three decades of significant changes in Europe’s higher education landscape. It includes eight full-length articles and a number of shorter features that provide a focus on different country contexts, with information about how region-wide programs and initiatives are playing out at the national level.

The report explores the impact of the Bologna process and the formation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), recent trends in student mobility, the role of European higher education associations, broader European internationalization initiatives and global interactions, and what all of this means for U.S. institutions. Of particular note, it addresses a number of European programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020, which are largely unknown by non-European audiences.

Reflecting European higher education’s overall internationalization efforts and desire to connect more deeply beyond its borders, these programs that were originally intended to spur intra-Europe collaboration are now being expanded to include opportunities for individuals beyond the region. The report thus details how U.S. institutions can utilize these initiatives to further their internationalization goals and activities.