Building a Global Mindset: Equipping yourself with a Global Perspective

Event Details

Title of the Event	Building a Global Mindset: Equipping Yourself with a Global Perspective
Type of Event	Informative Session
Date	January 10, 2025
Venue	A.V. Hall
Name of Resource Person	Dr. Asier Altuna Garcia De Salazar
No. of Participants/Beneficiaries	[To be filled]
Name of Activity Coordinators	Dr. Mani Bhatia & Dr. Alka Kataria
Name of Collaborating Agency	University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain

Objective

The session aimed to foster an understanding of global citizenship among students and equip them with the necessary skills to thrive in an interconnected world. It sought to introduce innovative teaching methods that combine global competencies with respect for local cultural values. Additionally, the event aimed to raise awareness about international education opportunities and inspire students to adopt a "glocal" perspective, integrating global awareness with local relevance.

Summary/Description

The International Cell (IIS-TIE) of IIS (deemed to be) University, Jaipur organized an informative and engaging session titled “Building a Global Mindset: Equipping Yourself with a Global Perspective” on January 10, 2025. It aimed to foster an understanding of global citizenship among university students, explore innovative pedagogical approaches to international education, and create awareness about becoming “glocal” students in today’s interconnected world. The event commenced with a warm welcome of the guest speaker, Dr. Asier Altuna Garcia De Salazar, Associate Professor in the Department of Social & Human Sciences at the University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain. Dr. Altuna delivered an engaging presentation that emphasized the importance of developing a global mindset in higher education. He explored key elements of global intercultural pedagogies, focusing on cultural identity, ethnocentrism, and intercultural communication. The discussion highlighted innovative teaching methodologies that equip students with global competencies while ensuring local cultural relevance. Particular emphasis was placed on understanding positionality in social contexts and the role of hidden curricula in shaping global perspectives. Dr. Altuna also provided practical insights into international education through an in-depth discussion of the Erasmus program, which illustrated opportunities for academic mobility and global cooperation. The session included an interactive question-and-answer segment, where students actively engaged with Dr. Altuna, raising queries about pursuing higher education overseas. He addressed their concerns with clarity, offering practical advice and guidance on navigating international academic opportunities. It was an enriching session that successfully enhanced participants' understanding of integrating global perspectives into higher education while preserving local cultural values. It underscored the importance of balancing global competencies with cultural sensitivity and meaningful participation in the globalization of education. Students gained a clearer understanding of their roles as “glocal” learners and were inspired to approach global academic opportunities with a nuanced and culturally aware perspective. The discussion on the Erasmus program further enhanced their awareness of international academic cooperation and mobility, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of global education initiatives. The session ended with a vote of thanks.

Outcome of the Activity

Participants developed a deeper understanding of global mindsets, including key concepts such as cultural identity, intercultural communication, and positionality in social contexts. The session also enhanced their awareness of international education programs like Erasmus, providing insights into academic mobility and global cooperation. Moreover, students were motivated to approach international opportunities with cultural sensitivity, confidence, and a clearer vision of their roles as globally aware yet locally grounded learners.