5E – Beyond mobility to meaningful partnerships: advancing experiential and interdisciplinary learning for impact
Abstract:
As higher education institutions respond to the AI revolution, international partnerships must move beyond transactional
mobility towards shared educational purpose and sustained collaboration. This session explores how institutions,
particularly within the Asia-Pacific region, can develop experiential and interdisciplinary learning partnerships that are
reciprocal, academically meaningful, scalable and impact-oriented. Focusing on experiential and interdisciplinary learning
as a response to emphasising humanity in the AI era, this session presents five key strategies: (1) building partnerships
around shared purpose; (2) co-creating reciprocal global learning experiences; (3) deepening collaboration beyond
mobility; (4) ensuring sustainability through shared value and governance; and (5) demonstrating impact through
evidence and stories. Drawing on examples from Singapore University of Social Sciences and partner institutions, this
session illustrates how these strategies can create human-centred global learning ecosystems in which students, faculty,
institutions and communities learn collaboratively across boundaries. This session contributes to the conference theme
by demonstrating how higher education can navigate today’s AI era while keeping reciprocity, ethical engagement and
human connection at the heart of internationalisation.
Learning objectives:
- Identify key drivers for developing international partnerships grounded in shared interests in experiential and
interdisciplinary education.
- Explain strategies for designing reciprocal global learning experiences that connect student mobility, curriculum,
community engagement, and real-world challenges.
- Apply governance, sustainability, and impact considerations to strengthen long-term cross-institutional partnerships.
Target audience:
Academics and professional staff in higher education, international office officers, curriculum strategists, and
professionals responsible for developing cross-disciplinary/global programs or partnerships across Asia-Pacific
institutions.