Rui Branco Lopes' appointment to lead this European committee marks a significant milestone for the institution. The EAIE is recognised as a benchmark organisation for discussing higher education internationalisation policies with the European Commission.
Lopes was elected to the thematic committee in June, following a competitive process that saw 304 candidates vying for 63 positions. His subsequent appointment as coordinator underscores the confidence placed in his expertise and experience.
As coordinator, Branco Lopes will be responsible for leading committee meetings and fostering connections between the committee, the EAIE board, and the association's services. He highlighted the committee's strategic importance for monitoring European trends and policies in higher education internationalisation, as well as for accessing up-to-date knowledge and collaborating within a broad international network of specialists.
Founded in 1989, the EAIE is a non-profit organisation bringing together over three thousand professionals actively involved in the internationalisation of higher education. Its annual conference typically attracts around 7200 participants from more than 90 countries.
Rui Branco Lopes has been a member of the EAIE since 2018 and has worked at the International Relations Office of ESTeSC-UPCoimbra since 2011, gaining extensive experience in European exchanges and working meetings.
