OeAD Higher Education Conference 2026
The theme of this year's OeAD Higher Education Conference is: "Internationalisation under pressure – what paths and priorities are needed? " and it will take place on 18 and 19 November at the Ilse-Wallentin-Haus of BOKU Vienna.
Internationalisation is a key shaping element of education and research, yet today it faces more numerous and complex challenges than ever before. These give rise to geopolitical, financial and structural constraints. At the same time, they underscore the potential importance of international cooperation as an instrument for mutual understanding and the advancement of democracy.
Austria is firmly committed to strategies that support the global dimension of study, teaching and research, foremost among them the Higher Education Mobility and Internationalisation Strategy and the RTI Strategy 2030. But how do these strategies unfold in times of increasing pressure on institutions, students and researchers? Which developments deserve particular attention? New opportunities for action are emerging, especially through virtual formats, new partnerships and fresh strategic priorities. How can the higher education sector position itself between global competition, geopolitical tensions, restrictive budgets and the imperative of responsible cooperation in order to rethink international collaboration?
The conference provides a dynamic space for dialogue that brings together diverse perspectives. Stakeholders from higher education institutions, higher education policy and professional practice will engage with one another to present and critically reflect upon internationalisation initiatives. Through external impulses and practice-oriented forums, we will explore how internationalisation can continue to be lived and transformed in a manner that is connective, resilient and values-driven, even under changing global conditions.
At the conference, the Internationalisation Award will be presented for the second time by Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner. The award recognises examples of good practice in implementing the goals of the National Higher Education Mobility and Internationalisaion Strategy (HMIS2030).
Your Team of the OeAD Higher Education Conference 2026