About
Founded in 1995, CIHE promotes the belief that an international perspective is needed to foster enlightened policies and practices in higher education. This belief drives our two equally important missions: to advance research, and to connect the field.
The Center for International Higher Education was established by Founding Director Philip G. Altbach in 1995, at a time when postsecondary education was in a period of unprecedented growth around the world – and when, relatedly, a consciousness was beginning to emerge as to the importance of an international perspective for informed higher education policy and practice.
At the time of CIHE’s establishment, there were very few other research centers focusing specifically on the international aspects of higher education (there were none in the U.S.). Indeed, one could not even say that there was yet an established “field” that stressed postsecondary education in a global context. Today, the field of international higher education is not only established but growing rapidly around the world. CIHE has played a significant role in this development.
Throughout our history, we have contributed an independent and often critical voice concerning a range of higher education issues - as a research center but also via our academic programs and our efforts to disseminate important scholarship to those who can leverage it into policy and practice. We have also viewed ourselves, from the outset, as being a convenor of a global network of researchers and scholars focused on international and comparative issues in higher education. Through our collaborative projects, publications and programs, we have successfully built up a strong and diverse group of colleagues and friends, many of whom are now leading voices in our field.
Our Missions and Commitments
To ensure ethics and rigor in research
To conduct all of our work in collaboration with colleagues from around the globe
To elevate local perspectives and enable dialogue and debate
To make knowledge accessible, through open access publication, translation into other languages and clear, accessible prose
To actively work to rectify global inequalities in our field, by maintaining a strong focus on less-resourced and less-powerful global contexts, by elevating marginalized voices and by promoting critical perspectives through our work
To support the development of the next generation of international higher education scholars
Our Network
The Center of International Higher Education encompasses an inclusive academic community of scholars, researchers, and practitioners at various stages of their careers. Learn more about the faculty, staff, visiting scholars, doctoral students, and community that makes up CIHE.
Our History
- 1995
CIHE is established
The Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) is established in 1995, with Philip Altbach as director. The first issue of International Higher Education is published by CIHE through the BC Library System.
- 2008
First Translation Partner
In 2008, CIHE signs an agreement with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China to produce a Chinese translation of IHE, the first of many translations produced by partners around the world.
- 2015
New Leadership: Hans de Wit Appointed
In 2015, Philip Altbach retires from his role as director of CIHE and Hans de Wit is appointed CIHE Director and Professor of the Practice in the Lynch School of Education.
- 2016
New Programs Launched
In 2016, new academic programs are launched, including a certificate, a Master of Arts (now a specialist track through the M.A. in Higher Education) and a Dual Degree program with the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico.
CIHE, in cooperation with and sponsored by World Education Services (WES) launches the annual WES-CIHE Summer Institute for early career researchers.
- 2020
New IHE Publisher
In Spring 2020, after being published independently by CIHE for 25 years, IHE begins to be published by DUZ Academic Publishers in Berlin, but with editorial independence fully intact. IHE's 100th issue is the first issue under the new publisher.
Rebecca Schendel, former associate director of the center, assumes the role of managing director. Gerardo Blanco, associate professor at the Lynch School, begins a newly-created role as academic director.
- 2022
Hans de Wit Fellowship Begins
In 2022, CIHE launches the Hans de Wit Fellowship for Visiting Scholars, funded by World Education Services, a fellowship which intends to support early career scholars in higher education studies with 4 months of scholarship at CIHE. The first fellow, Sevgi Kaya-Kasikci, arrives in March 2023.
- 2023
Inaugural Biennial CIHE Conference
The inaugural Biennial CIHE Conference on International Higher Education brings together higher education researchers from around the world, in order to foster new connections and spark new research collaborations.
Interested in learning more about CIHE?
Explore the legacy of Philip G. Altbach and the history of the Center for International Higher Education by visiting Letter to the Field, an oral history project by Chris R. Glass.