Glasgow hosts successful EAIE
Glasgow took centre stage in international higher education as the city hosted the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference and Exhibition 2026 in September.
Bringing together more than 7,300 international education professionals from over 100 countries, the conference provided an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate collaboration, strengthen partnerships and explore the future of international engagement.
Throughout the week, the University hosted a series of events designed to complement the main conference programme and showcase the best of Glasgow and the University community.
The celebrations began on Sunday evening with a special drinks reception at The Hunterian, Scotland's oldest public museum and one of the University's most distinctive cultural assets. The event provided an opportunity to reconnect with long-standing partners in a uniquely Glasgow setting, surrounded by world-class collections and centuries of history.
On Monday, we were pleased to host more than 100 of our international partners for a dedicated partner event focused on the strength, breadth and future of our global relationships. Discussions explored opportunities for collaboration across education, research, mobility and innovation, reflecting the importance of international partnership to the University's strategic ambitions.
The following day, more than 150 EAIE delegates visited our historic Gilmorehill campus. Guests were welcomed for a programme designed to highlight the University's academic excellence, global outlook and rich heritage. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase both our renowned campus and the role international collaboration continues to play in advancing our mission.
Alongside hosting events, University of Glasgow colleagues contributed actively to the EAIE conference programme, which featured more than 240 sessions and activities. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), Professor Rachel Sandison OBE, played a prominent role throughout the week. She led the opening session introducing delegates to Scotland's higher education landscape and participated in wider discussions on national frameworks, internationalisation strategies and the future of global engagement.
Reflecting on the conference, Professor Sandison said:
“I was delighted to welcome colleagues and partners from across the world to Glasgow for EAIE 2026 and to have the opportunity to showcase both our city and our #TeamUofG community through our Partner Day and Campus Experience sessions. We were also thrilled to host the British Council Alliance event, which provided a valuable forum for exploring the evolving role of European University Alliances and their contribution to international collaboration. The week highlighted the strength of our global partnerships and reinforced the importance of working together to address shared opportunities and challenges in higher education.”
Professor Sandison also noted that EAIE 2026 provided an important opportunity to celebrate reassociation with Erasmus+ and to showcase the excellence, innovation and impact of Scotland's higher and further education sectors.
Across the conference there was a strong sense of optimism about the future of international higher education, with delegates exploring new approaches to global collaboration and renewing existing partnerships. For Glasgow, hosting the event offered a chance to demonstrate the city's reputation as a welcoming, globally connected destination for education, research and innovation.
For the University of Glasgow, the conference was a fitting moment within our 575th anniversary celebrations. For more than five centuries, international engagement has been central to our identity, and today we continue to work with partners around the world to create opportunities that benefit our civic and global communities alike.
We would like to thank all of the partners, colleagues and delegates who joined us throughout EAIE week. It was a pleasure to welcome so many friends from around the world to Glasgow, and we look forward to building on the conversations, connections and collaborations forged during an unforgettable week for both the city and the University.