II.b: Is financing shaping the future of higher education? Speakers Chair/ Moderator: Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, Vice Chancellor, United States International University-Africa, Kenya Antoni Cahner, General Manager, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Spain Roberto Escalante Semerena, Secretary-General, Association of Universities of Latin America & the Caribbean (UDUAL), Mexico - IAU Deputy Board Member Description Many universities are facing heightened pressures to accommodate an increasing number of students, to produce cutting-edge research and adapt to labour market and societal demands - all within a context of dwindling public funds. In turn, students and their families are increasingly bearing the cost through tuition fees. This session aims to discuss how different financing models are affecting the future of higher education.