Study in Greece (SiG) hosted the eighth webinar of the From Insight to Impact series, this time in collaboration with QS Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the globally renowned organization behind international university rankings and higher education analytics. The session brought together Greek university representatives to explore the intersections of internationalization strategies and rankings performance, with expert insights from Eleni Bodo-Schlesinger, Partnerships Manager & Country Director at QS, and Kesh Patel, Lead Consultant at QS.
With forecasts projecting nearly 8.5 million international students by 2030, the discussion emphasized how universities can adapt to shifting demographics, technological disruption, and evolving labor market needs in order to remain globally competitive.
Key Takeaways:
- Global Student Mobility: QS presented forecasts and mapping tools that track international student flows by country and city, highlighting growth markets in Africa (Nigeria, Kenya), alongside shifts in China and India.
- Benchmarking Greece: The session analyzed Greek universities’ performance against peer countries, underlining strengths in research citations and international collaboration, while pointing to the need for greater visibility and data accuracy.
- Rankings & Data Submission: Practical guidance was offered for the upcoming 2026 QS ranking cycle, stressing the importance of accurate data reporting, reputation surveys, and showcasing institutional strengths to enhance global standing.
- Employability & Reputation: Employers consistently recognize the quality of Greek graduates, while subject strengths such as archaeology, classics, and civil engineering stand out as areas where Greece excels in global rankings.
The webinar concluded with a lively Q&A session, where participants raised questions on data submission processes, the role of international faculty, and strategies for improving visibility in subject-specific rankings. Speakers emphasized that rankings should be seen not as an end goal but as an output of strong institutional strategy, offering universities a valuable benchmark to guide long-term growth.
Live Event on Youtube
About QS (Quacquarelli Symonds):
QS stands as a globally recognized authority in higher education intelligence, offering universities an array of services—ranging from rankings and performance benchmarking to recruitment strategies, reputation management, and consultancy. QS informs decision-making through rigorous data analysis and global reach, helping institutions elevate their international engagement.
Speakers:
Eleni Bolou-Schlesinger
Partnerships Manager – Country Director
Eleni Bolou-Schlesinger, Partnerships Manager – Country Director at QS, is a higher education professional with over 15 years of experience advising universities, business schools, and government bodies across Europe, particularly in the UK, Nordic countries, Greece, and Cyprus. She specializes in international marketing, reputation and brand development, student recruitment, partnership management, and research collaboration, helping institutions enhance global competitiveness and achieve long-term sustainability. At QS, she has led multi-year projects that leverage global datasets and insights to inform strategy, improve rankings, and expand international networks. Committed to education as a vital investment in growth, she supports institutions and individuals in maximizing their potential through international mobility, academic achievement, and career development.
Kesh Patel
Lead Consultant
Kesh Patel, Lead Consultant at QS, has nearly 20 years of experience advising universities worldwide on strategies to enhance international competitiveness and operational efficiency. He specializes in strategy development, transformation, reputation and brand building, student recruitment, and portfolio planning, helping institutions align academic offerings with industry and labor market needs. At QS, he has leveraged digital advertising and strategic frameworks to maximize institutional visibility and guide universities in developing comprehensive strategic plans. Kesh has also advised governments on research, international partnerships, and student recruitment, supporting long-term institutional success and sustainability.
