The University of Texas at Dallas builds its internationalization strategy around strategic partnerships across Asia. Meenakshi Sharma, a returning Gathering participant, on what one-on-one conversations reveal that panel sessions cannot — and on how UT Dallas decides where institutional alignment genuinely exists.
What has engaging with Junction91 and participating in the Gathering helped you understand, see differently or navigate better about the Indian higher education landscape?
Junction91's format is distinctive in that it creates space for genuine one-on-one interaction with participating university partners. Those conversations go a long way towards continuing the dialogue beyond the event itself and towards understanding the internal dynamics of Indian institutions and how they approach internationalization. These insights are difficult to get from panel sessions alone.
From UT Dallas' perspective, what value has come from being part of these conversations — through relationships, institutional connections, new opportunities or a better understanding of where there may be alignment?
UT Dallas' internationalization strategy is built around developing strategic partnerships across Asia. We're always looking for partners who can become long-term collaborators, and for institutions that are genuinely aligned with our mission and share the same commitment to keeping students at the center of any partnership we sign. Conversations like those at Junction91 help us identify where that alignment actually exists, rather than assuming it based on a name or ranking alone.
“We're always looking for partners who can become long-term collaborators — institutions genuinely aligned with our mission, that keep students at the center of any partnership we sign.”
Having participated before, what makes the Junction91 Gathering worth returning to?
A few things. First, the timing works well — it falls outside the peak admissions season and doesn't conflict with our international travel calendar, which is more than I can say for most conferences. Second, I've watched the sessions and the invitation list improve year over year. And third, the newer formats bring a refreshing perspective to the discussions, pushing us to explore the areas that actually matter when deciding on strategic partnerships.
