North-West University (NWU) academics Prof Babs Surujlal, executive dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and Prof Ephrem Redda, from the School of Management Sciences, recently participated in the 6th InterUni 2023 Forum of Internationalisation of Higher Education, organised by the WSB University in Poland.

The forum brought together participants from universities across the globe, representing a diverse and international spectrum of academic institutions.

During the event the topic of internationalisation and its role in capacity building, improving the quality of higher education, and ranking was widely discussed. Prof Surujlal chaired a panel discussion on whether there is a dark side to the internationalisation of higher education and how to ensure that internationalisation benefits everyone. Prof Surujlal and Prof Redda also provided advice and guidance to PhD candidates at the WSB University.

Prof Surujial says the forum was a great opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, share their research findings, and to discuss the latest trends and developments in their respective fields.

"The discussions were lively and engaging, and everyone had a chance to contribute their perspectives and insights. It was inspiring to see how much passion and dedication the participants had for their work and how committed they were to advancing knowledge and promoting academic excellence. Overall, the forum was a truly enriching experience, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it," he adds.

Prof Surujial says universities have to embrace internationalisation and work together to create a better future for all, and that the internationalisation of higher education is essential to stay relevant in today's globalised world.

"The collaboration and sharing of ideas and expertise will ensure that internationalisation benefits everyone and contributes to the development of high-quality education and research. It will also offer students a unique learning experience and prepare them for the challenges of the global job market."

In addition to participating in the forum, the two academics met with Prof Beata Slusarczyk and Sebastian Kot from the Czestochowa University of Technology. They discussed the existing bilateral agreement and deliberated on the research project "The Dynamics of Family-Owned Businesses".