On Thursday, June 5, the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú welcomed Dr. Hans de Wit, distinguished scholar from Boston College and one of the most influential global figures in the field of higher education internationalization. His visit provided a valuable academic space for reflection and dialogue on the current challenges facing international education from a critical and contextualized perspective.
During his keynote lecture, titled “Critical Reflections on the Internationalisation of Higher Education in Current Geopolitical Times,” Dr. de Wit addressed the complex tensions that shape higher education today in an increasingly challenging global context. He highlighted the need to rethink prevailing internationalization strategies, moving beyond approaches focused solely on mobility, institutional branding, or revenue generation.
De Wit stressed that internationalization is not merely about sending students abroad, but about thinking globally from the local level, with purpose, equity, and institutional responsibility—promoting more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable models.
His visit offered key insights to continue rethinking how universities can contribute to building a more connected, just, and knowledge-driven world, broadening our understanding of the role Latin American universities can play in shaping meaningful internationalization—through initiatives such as internationalization at home and regional cooperation.
