Toulouse, France — From September 16 to 20, over 7,300 participants from around the globe convened at the European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2024 Conference, Europe's premier international higher education event. Among the 240 sessions was a groundbreaking presentation on Strategic Cooperation and the Benefits of Data-Driven Decision-Making, co-presented by Krishna Chaitanya Rao Kathala, Global Engagement Analytics - Lead, Office of Global Affairs (formerly the International Programs Office) and PhD candidate in education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Ramon Ellenbroek, MA, Team Leader of Student Life & International Mobility at Universiteit Utrecht.
The session focused on how higher education institutions (HEIs) can enhance international collaborations and strategic partnerships through the correlation and leveraging of data. Ellenbroek highlighted Utrecht University's strategic alliances and data-informed decision-making, while Kathala presented UMass Amherst’s pioneering model that integrates data analytics into their global engagement strategies.
Kathala emphasized, "By utilizing data-driven approaches, UMass has been able to make informed choices about partnership opportunities beneficial for both our students and faculty." He pointed out that many HEIs label some partnerships as "strategic" without having comprehensive data to back up these designations. UMass Amherst, he explained, developed an approach to collect and analyze data on their international collaborations, including mobility figures and scientific output, to make better-informed decisions about future partnerships.
"We’ve seen incredible benefits from tracking our partnerships through data," said Krishna. "It not only helps us understand what’s working but also allows us to adapt to new opportunities in real-time."
The session attracted a high-profile audience, including Vice Provosts, Global Partner Specialists, Senior International Officers, and data specialists from leading institutions worldwide. Attendees expressed interest in how both American and European institutions are using data to shape strategic global engagements.
Kathala highlighted some of the challenges in implementing data-driven decision-making, including overcoming data silos, ensuring data integration, and addressing inconsistencies across departments. "The absence of a strong data culture is a major hurdle," he explained, "but through careful governance, standardization, and fostering cross-departmental collaboration, we’ve been able to make significant progress."
UMass Amherst's global partnership model has already yielded measurable benefits. The university's Office of Global Affairs has successfully mapped global partnerships across multiple disciplines, enabling real-time partner identification and strategic alignment with the university’s global goals.
"We’re continuously refining our approach," Kathala noted, "and the data we've gathered enables us to optimize resources, improve student mobility, and enhance international collaborations."
Attendees left the session with a better understanding of how data can transform their own institutions' approach to global engagement. The session closed with a roundtable discussion where participants explored practical steps, they could take to implement data-driven strategies at their own institutions.
The work of Kathala and Ellenbroek contributed to the EAIE 2024 Conference’s ability to showcase how data is revolutionizing higher education, and UMass Amherst’s leadership and commitment to fostering innovative, global partnerships for the future.