The Global X International Affairs Working Group invites Cumulus members to a rich and forward-looking session dedicated to exploring how AI can transform and support the future of internationalisation in art and design education. The meeting will open with updates from the Global X board, followed by short participant introductions.
A series of expert talks will offer global perspectives on higher education systems, intelligent borders and the role of technology in unlocking creative potential across continents. Speakers include Prof. Monica Di Ruvo (South Africa), Dr. Tawhid Chtioui (France/Morocco), Prof. Safir Bellali (USA/Morocco) and Prof. Maurizio Vrenna (China).
The core of the session is a collaborative workshop, Bridging Gaps with AI, where participants will reflect on how AI can address key challenges in internationalisation: reducing language barriers, strengthening intercultural competences, supporting staff and faculty collaboration, streamlining administrative processes, and improving global research dissemination. Discussions will also address essential issues such as data protection, ethics, the irreplaceable value of human interaction, and the need for a balanced, human-centred use of technology.
The session will conclude with shared reflections, action points, and planning for the next Global X meeting during Cumulus Athens.
💬 Please sign up here: no late than 23 November 2025.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDIuXjfdjxTByrvlOBsPqZrp0W_2hyPYNY7DDRM3VEqrehNA/viewform
A community dinner will follow on 28 November at 19:30 (venue to be confirmed).
Global X International Affairs Board Stefan Sonntag, Sabrina Minqing Ni, Vatsal Agrawal Costanza Marinelli and Bo Yang.
AGENDA
Global X International Affairs Working Group
Cumulus Johannesburg 2025 Bridging Gaps with AI: rethinking internationalisation (November 26th 2025)
Date and time: 26 November 2025, 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM (SAST)
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Place: University of Johannesburg (room TBD) + online Teams link
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 399 957 127 617 57
Passcode: cA9CR7P7
Opening
3:30 – 3:45 PM – Welcome & Updates
● Opening remarks and session objectives
● Key updates on Global X international affairs (online presentation of the members of the board)
3:45 – 4:00 PM – Round Table Introductions (15 min)
● Short introductions from all participants on site and online
Expert Talks
4:00 – 4:20 PM : Expert Talk 1 (20 min)
The South African Art & Design Higher Education System Speaker: Prof. Monica Di Ruvo, Head of Applied Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (South Africa)
4:20 – 4:40 PM : Expert Talk 2 (20 min)
Reimagining Global Education in the Age of Intelligent Borders Speaker: Dr. Tawhid Chtioui, Président & Dean – aivancity School of AI & Data for Business & Society (France), President of Edvantis Higher Education Group (Art’Com Supn, Morocco)
4:40 – 5:00 PM : Expert Talk 3 (20 min)
Human Creativity by Design: Using Leading-edge Technology and a Human-centered Approach to Unleash a Continent’s Creative Potential Speaker: Prof. Safir Bellali, Adjunct Associate Professor, Product Design – ArtCenter (USA) and Founder, Aliph (US, Luxembourg, Morocco)
5:00 – 5:20 PM : Expert Talk 4 (20 min)
Tools and Practices from a Sino–American Design Program Speaker : Prof. Maurizio Vrenna, Assistant Professor in Design – Wenzhou-Kean University (China)
5:20 – 5:40 PM: Coffee Break & Networking (20 min)
5:40 – 6:50 PM: Workshop: Bridging Gaps with AI: rethinking internationalisation (1 hour and 10 minutes.)
Group discussions and presentation of results on the following topics:
● Overcoming language barriers (automatic translation, live captioning, multilingual curricula)
● Strengthening intercultural competences and better preparing students and staff for mobility
● Supporting faculty and staff in navigating cultural gaps and enhancing collaboration
● Facilitating internationalisation processes (streamlining admin, translating portals, improving access)
Enhancing international dissemination of research through AI-enabled multilingual publications
These topics will be examined in relation to key challenges associated with AI, including the need to ensure data confidentiality and compliance with legislation (e.g. GDPR in the EU), to address ethical issues in its use for education and internationalisation, to preserve the human touch and interpersonal exchange that technology cannot replace, and to prevent digital fatigue by promoting a balanced, human-centred approach.
6:50 – 7:00 PM: Closing Discussion
● Reflections, action points and next steps
● Planning for the Cumulus Athens
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Community Dinner: Friday 28 November at 19:30 (place TBD)
