Capacity Building Workshop: Developing Sustainable Partnerships with U.S. HEIs and International Student Services to Increase Student Mobility

Paasitorni, Helsinki
Leasa Weimer moderating a panel discussion about hosting practices. Three panelists, a man and two women, are sitting on green armchairs in front of a classroom.

The Fulbright Finland Foundation will organize a capacity-building workshop to support Finnish higher education institutions in their efforts to develop sustainable and successful partnerships with U.S. institutions to increase student mobility from the United States. Together with expert speakers, participants will share best practices in partnership building as well as in hosting U.S. students and compile concrete ideas on the workshop resources site for developing institutional partnerships as well as international student services. 

The event is free of charge. 

Pre-Event Webinar

March 12, 2025 at 14:30-15:45

Insights to the U.S. Higher Education System

  • Leasa Weimer, Director for Global Partnerships, University of Denver, Colorado 


Tentative Program of the Capacity Building Workshop

March 19, 2025, Paasitorni, Helsinki

8:30 Registration and Breakfast

9:00 Welcome and Introduction to the Capacity Building Workshop

9:05 Fulbright Finland Grant Programs Supporting Institutional Collaborations 

9:20 Trends in the U.S.: Partnerships & Student Mobility 

  • Leasa Weimer, Director for Global Partnerships, University of Denver, Colorado

9:50 U.S. Institutions’ Insights: International Student Partnerships 

  • Dr. Risto Marttinen, George Mason University; 2024-25 Fulbright U.S. Scholar 
  • Dr. Julie Shortridge, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; 2024-25 Fulbright-University of Oulu Scholar Award

10:20 Break

10:35 Inspirational Practices from Finnish HEIs Collaborating with U.S. HEIs 

  • Utilizing Fulbright Finland for partnership building with U.S. Institutions
    Tia-Maria Sjöblom, International Relations Adviser, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Fulbright Finland Travel Grants for Institutional Partnership Building alumna
  • Aalto University School of Business partnerships with U.S. universities – Best practices and lessons learned
    Saila Kurtbay, Head of International Affairs, Aalto University
  • Facilitator: Leasa Weimer, Director for Global Partnerships, University of Denver, Colorado

Small Group Discussions: Sharing Inspirational Practices 

11:50 Lunch

12:50 Mapping out “Sweet Spots” to Engage with U.S. Institutions
Small Group Discussions: Opportunities/Challenges & Creative Solutions

  • Facilitator: Leasa Weimer, Director for Global Partnerships, University of Denver, Colorado

13:50 Break

14:05 U.S. Student View: Practical Tips for Developing International Student Services 

  • Andrew Greene, 2024-25 Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award
  • Katelyn Moje, 2024-25 Fulbright - LUT University Graduate Award 
  • Facilitator: Leasa Weimer, Director for Global Partnerships, University of Denver, Colorado

Small Group Discussions: Sharing Inspirational Practices 

15:10 Discussion in Small Groups on Best Practices and Next Steps in Establishing/Developing Partnerships with U.S. Institutions 

  • Facilitator: Leasa Weimer, Director for Global Partnerships, University of Denver, Colorado

15:50 Closing Words

16:00 End of Workshop

Registration

Advance registration is required. Please register by filling in this form.

 

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