International Partners’ Day 2026. Universities without borders: Internationalisation and the future of higher education

April 22nd 2026 – Aula Magna, Edifici històric de la Universitat de Barcelona

Program:

15:30 Institutional Opening

15:45 Session I

· Cristina Sarmento. International Association of Universities (IAU) Vice President and Secretary-General,. Associação das Universidades de Língua Portuguesa (AULP) and University of Lisbon

· Josep Maria Garrell. President of the European University Association (EUA) and former rector of the Ramon Llull University

· Kurt Deketelaere. Secretary-General of the League of European Research Universities (LERU)

· Ainhoa Serrano. Responsible of International Relations. Coordinadora de Representantes de Estudiantes de Universidades Públicas (CREUP)

Moderator: Sergi Martínez (Universitat de Barcelona)

16:30 Session II

· Àngels Fitó. President of the Executive Committee of the Centro Interuniversitario de Desarrollo (CINDA) and Rector of the Open University of Catalonia

· Marcello Scalisi. Director of the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED)

· José Pintor. General Director of Casa Àsia

· Sara Docampo. President of Erasmus Student Network Spain (ESN-Spain)

Moderator: Cristina Galván (Universitat de Barcelona)

17:15 Closing session

· Joan Guàrdia. Rector of the University of Barcelona