EU-China Guangzhou Forum on International Cooperation in Higher Education 2025 Successfully Held— LEAD Academic Network Continues to Strengthen EU-China Cooperation in Higher Education

The EU-China Guangzhou Forum on International Cooperation in Higher Education 2025, hosted by Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University (GPNU) and supported by the LEAD Academic Network, was successfully held on October 20–21, 2025 at the GPNU’s Baiyun Campus.

A delegation from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), led by Vice-Rector Prof. Karin Vanderkerken, attended the forum, highlighting the partnership between VUB, GPNU, and the LEAD Academic Network. The delegation included Prof. Vanderkerken, Dr. Jacqueline Couder, Director of the International Relations Office; Ms. Xiaohong Tong, Officer at the International Relations and Mobility Office; Prof. Chang Zhu, Director of the LEAD Academic Network; Anthony Antoine, Executive Director of the Brussels School of Governance; Prof. Marc Theeboom from the Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy; Prof. Reynier Inocente Revilla Castillo from the Faculty of Engineering; Prof. Carlo De Asmundis from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy; Prof. Tan Lu from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School; and Prof. Yunfeng Nie from the Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences.

Focusing on themes such as “New Pathways for Higher Education in the AI Era,” “New Directions for EU-China Cooperation,” and “Integration of Academic Publishing and Disciplinary Development,” the forum brought together experts and scholars from leading universities, research institutes, and academic publishers across China and Europe to exchange insights on innovation and international collaboration in higher education.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Qingyun Dai, President of GPNU, and Prof. Karin Vanderkerken, Vice-Rector of VUB, delivered keynote speeches. Prof. Dai discussed “Transformation and Challenges of Higher Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”, highlighting the integration of education innovation and industry needs. Prof. Vanderkerken presented on “Ethical Use of AI for Research,” sharing VUB’s guidelines and best practices in promoting ethical AI use in academia.

In the concluding remarks, Prof. Chang Zhu, Director of the LEAD Academic Network, emphasized that the forum has served as a vital platform for EU-China academic exchanges. She noted that the discussions and keynotes have provided valuable insights for higher education innovation in the digital age, encouraging continued collaboration to advance global educational excellence and sustainability.

European representatives including Prof. Vinayagum Chinapah (Stockholm University, Sweden), Prof. Marc Theeboom (VUB, Belgium), and Anthony Antoine (Brussels School of Governance, VUB) also shared perspectives on teaching innovation, research collaboration, and university governance.

As one of the key collaborative initiatives under the LEAD Academic Network, the forum further strengthened the network’s role as a bridge between Chinese and European higher education institutions. The Network will continue to promote digital leadership, joint research, and policy dialogue, fostering cooperation and innovation in the AI era.