Woman posing behind large blue NAFSA letters beneath "Where the World Meets" sign
Xin Chen, director of International Partnerships and Development at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education's International and Access Programs, at NAFSA 2026. (UC Davis)

Reflecting on the NAFSA 2026 Global by Design Conference

  • by Nari Fujita

Despite the broader challenges facing international education and lower-than-usual conference attendance, NAFSA 2026 was an exceptionally productive and rewarding event for the UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education International and Access Programs team. 

Three smiling conference attendees wearing lanyards and badges in a room
UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education International and Access Program's Nari Fujita and Xin Chen pose with Jaynie Cheng, EductionUSA advisor at Fulbright Taiwan (right). (UC Davis) 
Three people smiling at a booth with mountain backdrop and Learn Chile logo
(left to right) Dalinda Pérez-Álvarez, executive director for the Office of the Vice-President of International Affairs, UC Davis' Katrina Koenig and Cristián Bonilla, head of Study Abroad & International Internships, Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chile. 

The conference provided valuable opportunities to deepen existing partnerships, establish promising new institutional relationships in various countries and advance strategic discussions in workforce development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) geographic region. 

Delegation in suits and Saudi robes around conference table with Saudi and US flags
(left to right) UC Davis and Council of Universities’ Affairs (CUA): Prof. Hani Choudhry, deputy secretary general, CUA; Prof. Hisham Al-Hadlaq, King Saud University; VP Graduate Studies & Scientific Research; Dr. Mohammed Alresheedi, advisor, general secretariat, CUA; Dr. Majed bin Salah Balalaa, University of Tabuk, VP Education Affairs; Dr. Fatema Almughlliq, strategy expert, Partnerships & International Cooperation, CUA; Christopher Marconi (UC Davis); Katrina Koenig (UC Davis); Nari Fujita (UC Davis); and John Orak, US Embassy - Riyadh

These engagements opened new avenues for collaboration and reinforced our commitment to addressing emerging educational and workforce needs. As a result, we are well positioned to diversify our program offerings, expand our presence in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, and develop sustainable, forward-looking partnerships that support long-term growth and innovation in an evolving global education landscape.

Nari Fujita is the director of International Programs at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. His colleagues Xin Chen, director of International Partnerships and Development, Katrina Koenig, assistant director of International Programs, and Chris Marconi, director of Business Development, joined him at NAFSA.

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The Davis Difference

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