IE University and University of Miami Discuss Global Challenges of Higher Education with 40 Universities from Across the Globe at 2024 Reinventing Higher Education Conference

Co-hosted by IE University and the University of Miami, the 14th edition of the Reinventing Higher Education (RHE) conference brings experts from around world to the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Florida to discuss the most pressing trends in higher education today. The overarching theme of the event this year is “Connecting the Dots” and the two day event (March 7-8, 2024) includes panels and sessions that focus on the crucial link between higher education and cross-collaborative innovation, a link which enables stakeholders to tackle pressing societal issues. More than 200 international experts, distinguished guests and student representatives from more than 25 countries are in attendance at this year’s event.

"Preparing the next generation of university students includes investing more in research and assessment. We must advance the science of learning, and perfect the art of teaching," said University of Miami President Julio Frenk. "We are delighted to welcome fellow leaders in higher education to our Coral Gables Campus so that we may engage in critical conversations and reimagine the student experience for an ever-changing world."

"We have the opportunity to not only usher in but steer and innovate a new era of higher education, one that brings together a multitude of collaborators and perspectives and also integrates emerging technologies like AI, forging a new path for effective teaching and learning," said Santiago Iñiguez, IE University President.

"This year’s edition of Reinventing Higher Education focuses on connecting the dots between various domains of knowledge and how we can build a thriving ecosystem through alliances that has the power to make a positive impact on society, today and tomorrow."
Santiago Iñiguez, IE University President

"On behalf of all participants – the presidents, rectors, and vice-chancellors of leading international universities – I would like to express our gratitude to the University of Miami for hosting us on their campus for this important conference," said President Iñiguez.

University presidents, rectors, vice-chancellors, leaders in both higher education and the business and tech world, journalists, and students, from five continents, are taking part this year.  In addition to traditional panels, this year’s conference also includes design thinking workshops and an un-conference format intended to bring inclusivity and disruption to the thinking of the participants and focused on enabling all the attendees – regardless of their level of seniority – to have a voice and to feel that their voice matters.

The event is co-chaired by Julio Frenk, President of the University of Miami, and Santiago Iñiguez, President at IE University. Leadership of participating universities and institutions include: Africa Leadership University, Rwanda; Arizona State University, United States; Brown University, United States; Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands; FGV EASP, Brazil; GBSN; George Washington University, United States; Georgia Institute of Technology, United States; Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar; Harvard University, United States; Honor Education, United States; IE University, Spain; Imperial College, United Kingdom; LASPAU, United States; LUISS University, Italy; Mahidol University, Thailand; Michigan State University, United States; Minerva University, United States; Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany; Singapore Management University, Singapore; Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico; Universidad de San Andrés, Argentina; Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador; University of Miami, United States; University of Minnesota Rochester, United States; University of Notre Dame, United States; University of Pittsburgh, United States; and Woxsen University, India.

Since its launch in 2010, the RHE conference has provided a platform where university administrators, policy makers, entrepreneurs and top managers, academics, student representatives and media experts can meet to discuss the current status and future evolution of higher education, and debate the direction of research, learning, governance, and management that universities can take. Last year’s conference “New Humans, New Society, New Higher Education” was co-hosted by IE University and the University of Cape Town and focused on access to resources, inclusion, and global south-north relations.

"Since its inception, the RHE conference has served as a yearly point of reflection that allows the various stakeholders of the academic community to discuss the current status and future evolution of higher education and debate the direction research, learning, governance and management of universities should now take," commented Geoffroy Gerard, Director of the Conference and General Director of the IE Foundation at IE University.

This year, some to the topics that speakers and moderators will tackle numerous topics regarding the future of universities include interdisciplinary solutions for societal challenges, the global perspectives redefining higher education, AI’s impact on learning innovation, how higher education and cross-sector collaboration can foster innovation, unlocking potential though access, governance, and funding, and engaging the next generations in the learning ecosystem.