The University of Toulouse, Toulouse Métropole, and the Occitanie Region hosted the European Association for International Education (EAIE) in Toulouse from September 17 to 20, 2024.

The EAIE conference is the premier annual event for higher education professionals across Europe.

After more than 15 years since its last occurrence in France, this event brought together over 7,300 higher education professionals from more than 110 countries for conferences, workshops, and exhibitions focused on the challenges of internationalizing education.

About the EAIE

The European Association for International Education (EAIE) serves as a European center of expertise, networking, and resources for the internationalization of higher education.

Founded in 1989, it is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the internationalization efforts of higher education institutions.

The project was initially led by the University of Toulouse, Toulouse Métropole, and the Occitanie Region.

This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (DGESIP/DGRI – DAEI B3), the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (DGM/DCERR/ESR), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Conference of University Presidents (CPU), the Conference of Directors of Engineering Schools (CDEFI), Campus France, the AUF, the CNOUS, Toulouse Métropole, the Occitanie Region, Regions of France, and the Erasmus+ National Agency.

There is also enhanced support from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs through the mobilization of resources from French diplomatic missions in Africa to facilitate the mobility of staff from African universities to EAIE 2024.

About the University of Toulouse

After nearly 8 centuries of existence, the University of Toulouse is currently home to 110,000 students and 17,000 staff members. One of the largest academic hubs in France, our community brings together 22 higher-education institutions from across the western Occitanie region. Thanks to world-class research, cutting edge education programs and a unique private sector, the University of Toulouse is committed to building the world of tomorrow, playing a pivotal role in addressing the environmental and educational challenges facing modern societies.

Partners

Agence d'attractivité

Capital of the Occitanie region, Toulouse is a dynamic and attractive European metropolis. Known as the "Pink City", it combines its leading position in the aeronautics and space industries with a quality of life that attracts students and talents alike. With its modern, friendly and festive atmosphere, Toulouse surprises with architectural heritage, a varied cultural programme and a high-quality gastronomy.

Occitanie region

The Occitanie Region supports higher education, research, and innovation. Occitanie’s establishments are skilled in training young people and in allowing companies to recruit new talent ready to take on the challenges of the twin transitions. The Region supports its 270 000 students by strengthening the diversity and quality of higher education. Its priorities are to prepare the skills necessary for tomorrow’s workforce and to develop access throughout its territory with its two major university centers of Toulouse and Montpellier, but also its 18 local university cities. Aiming to be a leading European region in science and technology innovation, regional aid also comes in the form of support for research institutions.

Prefecture

Occitanie is France's 2nd-largest region in terms of surface area and 5th-largest in terms of population. It has 13 départements (the most of any region), 2 metropolitan areas (Toulouse and Montpellier), 1 urban community (Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole) and a network of medium-sized towns. Administering Occitanie means managing an area larger and more populous than Ireland.

Prefect of the Occitanie region

Pierre André Durand, prefect of the Occitanie region since January 2023, is the guarantor of the unity of the State's message in the region. Custodian of the State's authority over the region, he represents the Prime Minister and each of the ministers. He is responsible for applying national and Community policies in the region.
To this end, he heads the regional decentralised government departments. In terms of public policy on national education and higher education, Occitanie has a Rector of the Academic Region, Sophie Béjean, who is also Chancellor of the Universities. She is assisted by Khaled Bouabdallah, Deputy Rector for Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Together, they guarantee the unity and coherence of the State's approach to education, working closely with the regional prefect.

An economically and demographically dynamic region

It is an economically and demographically dynamic region, with its urban areas concentrating its wealth and more than two-thirds of its population. Against this backdrop of strong imbalance, the implementation of the government's policy of decentralisation, development and the fight against the territorial divide is one of the major challenges facing the devolved State. In Occitanie, this is organised around a regional prefecture and thirteen departmental prefectures. .

University of Toulouse

After nearly 8 centuries of existence, the University of Toulouse is currently home to 110,000 students and 17,000 staff members. One of the largest academic hubs in France, our community brings together 22 higher-education institutions from across the western Occitanie region. Thanks to world-class research, cutting edge education programs and a unique private sector, the University of Toulouse is committed to building the world of tomorrow, playing a pivotal role in addressing the environmental and educational challenges facing modern societies.

For the university community of Toulouse, the city of Toulouse, the Occitanie region and the Prefecture of Occitanie, it is an honor to host EAIE 2024, an emblematic and essential event in international higher education.