German scholar urges cultural reorientation in global academia

By Tajudeen Babamale and Bashirat Omotosho

A scholar of Intercultural Business Communications and Chair of the Professorship of Intercultural Business Communication, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany, Prof. Christoph Vatter, has urged educational institutions to rethink what internationalisation truly means, noting that it entails repositioning universities as spaces of dialogue rather than dominance.

Speaking at a Public Lecture organised by the Centre for International Education (CIE), University of Ilorin, at the Auditorium Basement last Tuesday, (March 3, 2026), Prof. Vatter emphasised that meaningful internationalisation must move beyond student mobility statistics and institutional rankings to embrace cultural knowledge systems particularly Indigenous knowledge as equal partners in global scholarship.

According to Prof. Vatter, internationalisation through culture is not simply about exporting Western academic models to the rest of the world but also involves creating reciprocal partnerships where Indigenous epistemologies, languages, and community based knowledge systems are recognised as vital contributors to research, teaching, and innovation.

He added that Indigenous knowledge systems carry generations of environmental stewardship, conflict resolution practices, health traditions, and philosophical insights that are deeply contextual yet globally relevant and integrating them into international research frameworks enriches scholarship and challenges the hierarchy that often privileges Western scientific paradigms.

He further elaborated that cultural internationalisation requires structural transformation within institutions. “True partnership means co-creation which involves shared research design, community consent, ethical engagement, and intellectual property recognition. Indigenous scholars and community leaders must not be treated as data sources but as co-authors, co-investigators, and agenda-setters”, he added.

Also speaking, the Head of the International Office, Dr Claudia Hillinger, who discussed “International Systems in Higher Education: The Facts, Funding and the Future”, examined current data on cross border research networks, student mobility, and multilateral funding schemes, noting that global higher education systems are increasingly influenced by competitive funding landscapes and geopolitical dynamics.

She pointed to initiatives such as the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission as critical instruments that have strengthened institutional partnerships while promoting academic mobility and intercultural exchange.

Dr Hillinger stressed that the future of international higher education depends on sustainable funding models and equitable collaboration frameworks, adding that universities must transition from short-term, mobility-driven engagements to long-term strategic alliances grounded in shared research priorities and inclusive governance.

According to her, institutions that align funding strategies with societal impact, digital innovation, and cross cultural competence will not only remain globally competitive but also contribute meaningfully to addressing complex global challenges.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, called for greater inclusiveness in cultural engagements as a pathway to strengthening global academic partnerships.

The Vice Chancellor said the theme of the lecture, “Internationalisation Through Culture: Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge in Global Academic Partnership”, underlines the urgent need to pursue internationalisation through culture, especially in view of the diversity inherent in global cultural orientations. According to him, universities must deliberately promote inclusiveness in cultural orientation and reorientation within their academic engagements, partnerships, and institutional linkages.

The Vice Chancellor also stressed the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, noting that every community possesses unique resources and intellectual traditions capable of driving its development and enriching global scholarship.

He applauded the Friedrich Schiller University, Jena for providing a viable platform through the Erasmus+ programme to deepen collaboration between both institutions. He noted that although Jena is not the only European university engaging with UNILORIN, it has demonstrated tremendous support and a clear willingness to sustain the partnership.

Prof. Egbewole also commended the leadership of the Centre for International Education for successfully organising the programme, stating that the Centre has demonstrated the capacity, commitment, and wherewithal to advance genuine internationalisation within the University.

In his opening remarks, the Director of the CIE, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, said that the growing collaboration between the University of Ilorin and Friedrich Schiller University, Jena reflects the core objectives of the Erasmus+ programme.

Prof. Onireri noted that the partnership embodies the spirit of Erasmus+, which promotes academic mobility, mutual learning, intercultural understanding, and sustainable institutional cooperation.

According to the CIE Director, both institutions possess complementary strengths that position them for high-impact collaboration, noting that the University of Ilorin has continued to distinguish itself through strong research productivity, sustained academic stability, and innovation-driven scholarship.

By leveraging these strengths alongside the globally respected expertise of Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, he said the partnership is poised to generate research outcomes capable of delivering tangible societal benefits.