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Item GLOBALISING EDUCATION: STRATEGIES, CHALLENGES, AND SUSTAINABILITY(Centre for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnership (CISP), University of Ilorin, Nigeria, 2026-07) Edited by Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, Raveesh Agarwal, Azeez Adesina Lukuman and Jumoke I. OladeleFOREWORD Humanity stands at a pivotal moment in its collective history, where diverse global interests increasingly converge in the pursuit of peaceful coexistence. The affairs of nations and societies have become profoundly interconnected, with relationships expanding to such an extent that no nation can thrive in isolation, while collective consciousness is increasingly shared across borders. Globalisation, therefore, signifies not merely growing interconnectedness but also the emergence of complex supranational interactions and interdependencies that shape virtually every sphere of human endeavour. At the heart of this global phenomenon, which is fundamentally aimed at advancing human development, lies the globalisation of the structures, practices, systems, and strategies of higher education, driven in large measure by the aspirations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As globalisation continues to redefine institutions and practices across sectors, universities and other higher educational institutions are no longer constrained by geographical boundaries. Rather, they now operate within a global knowledge ecosystem in which collaboration and competition coexist, embedding international and intercultural dimensions into the core functions of teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement. Consequently, institutions of higher learning across the world are increasingly challenged to produce graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also globally conscious, culturally responsive, technologically proficient, and equipped to address complex societal challenges that transcend national borders. The contemporary landscape of higher education is thus characterised by a dynamic interplay between global forces and local realities. While the globalisation of education has created unprecedented opportunities for international collaboration, cross-border mobility of students and scholars, accelerated knowledge exchange, and innovation in teaching, learning, and research, it has simultaneously raised critical questions concerning equity, Globalising Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Sustainability iv cultural identity, quality assurance, digital inclusion, policy harmonisation, funding, and institutional resilience. This suggests that universities seeking to remain relevant and competitive within the global knowledge economy must pursue internationalisation with strategic intentionality. While striving to expand opportunities for knowledge exchange and strengthen their competitive advantage, they must equally ensure that their internationalisation agenda aligns with the broader imperative of sustainable development. Such alignment is essential because the evolving global context within which higher education now operates is characterised by the intersection of market competitiveness and sustainability. Accordingly, the pursuit of globalisation and sustainability in higher education should not become merely a positional exercise in which institutions perform sustainability primarily to enhance rankings and institutional reputation, rather than to contribute meaningfully to the global commons. Instead, higher education institutions must endeavour to balance global competitiveness with local relevance, ensuring that education remains a public good dedicated to human development and societal progress. The University of Ilorin has consistently positioned itself for this imperative, and as a forward-looking institution committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation, community engagement and ethical leadership. Our vision extends beyond national relevance towards meaningful participation in the global knowledge ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, development organisations, and international agencies across the world, the University continues to strengthen its international profile while remaining firmly committed to addressing local and national developmental priorities. The establishment of the Centre for International Education, recently renamed the Centre for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnership, clearly demonstrates this commitment. The Centre has continued to serve as a catalyst Globalising Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Sustainability v for internationalisation by promoting global academic partnerships, facilitating staff and student exchanges, encouraging collaborative research, and fostering intercultural understanding. With its longstanding engagement in the discourse, practice, and scholarship of the globalisation of higher education, the University of Ilorin recognises the complexities that characterise the evolving phenomenon of internalisation of education. It is against this backdrop that the Centre for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnership brought together distinguished academics, researchers, policy experts, and practitioners from diverse disciplinary and geographical backgrounds during its first international conference to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges associated with globalising education. Through rigorous discussions and scholarly engagement, participants, during the conference, offered rich theoretical insights, empirical evidence, and practical perspectives on strategies for advancing global education while addressing its inherent challenges. This publication is the outcome of that remarkable intellectual engagement at the International Conference on Globalisation of Education: Strategies, Challenges and Sustainability. The international conference, and its enduring legacy in this edited book, further demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the University of Ilorin to advancing knowledge, promoting international collaboration, and contributing meaningfully to contemporary educational discourse. It also reflects our commitment to sustainable development through the pursuit of education, not as an end in itself, but as a powerful instrument for societal transformation. The diversity of perspectives represented in the chapters of this edited book not only reflects considerable scholarly depth but also underscores the inherently interdisciplinary nature of contemporary educational issues. Collectively, these contributions demonstrate the indispensable role of collaborative scholarship in generating sustainable Globalising Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Sustainability vi solutions to global educational challenges. Indeed, each chapter offers a distinctive perspective through which readers may appreciate the varied dimensions, strategies, and complexities associated with the globalisation of education. Among the diverse themes explored are the imperative of digital technologies in the internationalisation of education, digital equity and sustainable global learning, digital sustainability in global education, cross-border digital education, and equitable access to education within the global landscape. The book also presents rigorous empirical analyses of curriculum internationalisation for equitable global impact, international partnerships and collaborations, bridging global approaches with local realities, enhancing trust and transparency in virtual teams, the glocalisation of Africa's untapped heritage, globalising reformation education programmes within correctional facilities, global university networks, online learning and carbon footprints, the internationalisation of higher education in South Africa, and many other contemporary issues of significant scholarly and practical relevance. It is particularly gratifying that the contributors to this edited book have examined these issues with remarkable intellectual rigour and practical relevance. Their analyses illuminate the multifaceted dimensions of educational globalisation while proposing strategies that are adaptable across diverse institutional and national contexts. I am confident that policymakers, educational administrators, academics, researchers, postgraduate students, and development practitioners will find this book an invaluable resource for both scholarship and professional practice. I warmly congratulate the editors, chapter contributors, reviewers, and the Centre for International Education and Strategic Partnership for producing this outstanding scholarly work. The collective efforts of all stakeholders, whose dedication made both the conference and this publication possible, exemplify the values of excellence, integrity, collaboration, and innovation that define Globalising Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Sustainability vii the University of Ilorin. Indeed, the successful organisation of the international conference from which this volume emerged further demonstrates the growing capacity of our Centre for International Education and Strategic Partnership to convene distinguished scholars and thought leaders in addressing issues of global significance. As this book reaches readers across the world, I trust that it will stimulate informed reflection, deepen scholarly discourse, and inspire meaningful partnerships that strengthen educational systems globally while remaining responsive to local realities. It is my sincere hope that the ideas presented herein will influence policy, enrich professional practice, and contribute to building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable educational futures for generations to come. I therefore commend this book to scholars, policymakers, educators, development partners, and all who remain committed to the transformative power of education in an increasingly globalised world. May this publication stand as a lasting testament to the University of Ilorin's enduring commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and sustainable development. Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole SAN, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria