By placing the international dimension at the heart of higher education’s missions, ARES contributes to the internationalization of higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. It supports them in developing and implementing their international strategies, activities, and projects, while enhancing their visibility and attractiveness worldwide.
Our Missions
- Promote the international visibility of higher education.
- Coordinate the international relations of academic clusters and institutions, particularly regarding educational offerings and joint degrees.
- Support the participation of higher education institutions in international missions.
Internationalization: A Process of Change at the Core of Higher Education
Student mobility, European and international networks, joint PhD supervision, European universities, joint master’s degrees, programs in foreign languages, visiting professors, international conferences, summer schools, the Bologna Process… Internationalization is central to the missions of higher education.
Although mobility and international dimensions have existed since the founding of the first European universities, until the late 1980s, internationalization was largely seen as a “luxury” in higher education. With European integration, the Bologna Process, the development of information and communication technologies, globalization, and increased mobility through European programs such as Erasmus, internationalization has become a strengthened and essential component of higher education today.
Internationalization is, above all, a process of change that must be reflected in the three core missions of higher education: teaching, research, and community service.
And in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation?
Higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are fully engaged in this dynamic process of internationalization. A few examples?
- Nearly 20% of students are international, as are over 40% of PhD candidates.
- More than 55% of scientific publications are co-authored with international researchers.
- Nearly 20% of academic or scientific staff are from abroad.
- Numerous joint programs (including Erasmus Mundus master’s and doctoral programs) have been developed, and courses are offered in English, Dutch, Spanish, German, etc.
Our Role
To support the internationalization of higher education institutions, ARES focuses its efforts on two specific areas:
- Supporting institutions in their internationalization strategies, actions, and projects.
- Enhancing the attractiveness, promotion, and visibility of higher education institutions worldwide.
Our Tools
ARES develops tools and guides to support institutions in their internationalization projects. Discover them below!
LEARN MORE: Contact the International Relations team at international@ares-ac.be