For the first time, Fachhochschule Dortmund and seven universities of applied sciences from North Rhine-Westphalia organized a joint exhibition booth at the EAIE (European Association for International Education) conference in Glasgow.
The EAIE is considered one of the most important international conferences in the field of internationalization in higher education. From September 7 to 11, 2026, it brought together more than 7,300 international education experts from over 100 countries. The program featured over 300 presentations and sessions, while the accompanying trade fair showcased more than 250 booths representing over 200 participating organizations. Representing the Fachhochschule Dortmund on site were Dagmar Hösch, Head of the International Office, and Dr. Thilo Groll, Head of the Department of Academic Affairs and International Relations.
The focus of this year’s participation was the first-ever presentation of a joint booth by Fachhochschule Dortmund and six other universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia. The joint booth, themed “Meet us in North Rhine-Westphalia: Universities of Applied Sciences,” was initiated and organized by the International Office at Fachhochschule Dortmund. Die Fachhochschule Dortmund thus took the lead in the design, coordination, and implementation of the joint presentation.
Strong Network
Together, the universities represented a strong network offering internationally oriented study programs, close ties to industry, and excellent opportunities for student exchanges, research, and institutional partnerships. In addition to the Fachhochschule Dortmund, the booth featured Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, and Westphalian University of Applied Sciences.
The seven universities offered visitors the opportunity to meet international representatives from all participating institutions, explore study, exchange, and research opportunities in North Rhine-Westphalia, learn about practice-based and career-focused education, and discuss international partnerships and collaborative projects. The booth highlighted the diversity, innovative strength, and global outlook of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Welcoming atmosphere
A particular highlight was the reception at the booth, which offered a relaxed setting for conversation and a tasting of regional specialties from North Rhine-Westphalia. Visitors had the opportunity to engage in casual conversations while sampling honey, mustard, pumpernickel, and regional sweets. The regional food and drink offerings helped create a welcoming atmosphere in which new contacts could be made and existing relationships deepened.
The initiative to organize a joint booth with six other universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia proved to be a valuable contribution to strengthening the international visibility of the participating institutions. Pooling resources enabled a professional and appealing presentation that would have been difficult for individual institutions to achieve on their own. At the same time, the joint booth fostered exchange among the participating universities and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. The Fachhochschule Dortmund will evaluate the experiences gained from this inaugural event and continue to build upon and further develop its collaboration with partner universities for future events.
Background: EAIE
The EAIE (European Association for International Education) is a nonprofit organization that supports educational institutions in their internationalization efforts through training, conferences, and a knowledge network. It prepares academic and non-academic professionals for the challenges of internationalization through best practices and practical solutions, and offers them a platform for strategic exchange.