LEAD Academic Network Symposium Highlights Visionary Leadership and Internationalisation in Higher Education

On July 4, 2024, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) hosted the LEAD Academic Network's symposium on Academic Leadership and Internationalisation. This event gathered prominent academics and leaders from universities worldwide to discuss evolving challenges in higher education and the necessity for innovative leadership to address these issues effectively.

Opening and Keynote Presentations

The symposium opened with an address by Anthony Antoine, Executive Director of the School of Governance at VUB. Prof. Chang Zhu, representing the LEAD Academic Network, welcomed participants and encouraged collaboration within the network. The keynote presentations then set the tone for the day, focusing on global challenges that require visionary leadership in higher education.

Prof. Lucien Bollaert from Ghent University, Belgium, highlighted pressing global issues such as economic shifts, climate change, digitalisation, and health crises, urging a rethinking of traditional university missions. He emphasized the need for transformational blended leadership at all levels to drive effective organizational transformation.

Prof. Marieta du Plessis from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, discussed the difference between diversity and inclusion, proposing actionable steps for fostering inclusive academic leadership, including cultural intelligence, equity-mindedness, and mentorship programs.

Prof. Luciano Saso from the UNICA network addressed the critical role of university networks in strengthening academic leadership, noting the challenges and opportunities posed by increasing digitalisation and the importance of international cooperation in shaping higher education.

Prof. Pius Achanga from Mountains of the Moon University, Uganda, identified the critical pillars for strong academic leadership in growing universities, focusing on institutional policies, good governance, and strategic partnerships.

Panel Discussions on Internationalisation and Research Collaboration

The second session, chaired by Prof. Chang Zhu, featured a panel discussion on academic leadership and internationalisation. Speakers emphasized the importance of visionary leadership and learning from successful international initiatives like the Bologna Process. They also shared institutional experiences in promoting internationalisation.

The third session focused on research policies, collaboration, and the impact of research. Speakers discussed how international research collaborations contributed to the internationalisation of higher education and institutional performance in various countries. They also shared challenges academics face in initiating international collaboration under different national contexts.

Roundtable and Concluding Remarks

In the final session, Zhengwen Qi from the EU-China Higher Education Research Center facilitated a roundtable discussion, allowing network partners to share their institutional experiences and future prospects for cooperation. The session highlighted cooperation areas such as teacher training and resource sharing.

The symposium concluded with remarks from Prof. Antonio Rendas, who reiterated the significance of continuing international cooperation, promoting exchanges, and enhancing strategic leadership in higher education.

The LEAD Academic Network symposium served as a crucial platform for discussing the future of academic leadership and internationalisation in various contexts. By fostering a collaborative environment, the symposium advanced the knowledge of academic leadership and reaffirmed the importance of continuing exchanges and cooperation among academic leaders.

LEAD学术联盟研讨会聚焦高等教育中的前瞻型领导力和国际化

2024年7月4日，布鲁塞尔自由大学（VUB）主办了LEAD学术联盟关于学术领导力和国际化的研讨会。本次活动汇集了来自世界各地的知名学者和领导者，讨论了高等教育中不断变化的挑战以及培养创新型领导力来应对这些问题的必要性。

开幕致辞与主题演讲

研讨会由布鲁塞尔自由大学治理学院执行董事Anthony Antoine致开幕词。LEAD学术联盟主任朱畅教授欢迎与会者，并鼓励学者们借助LEAD学术联盟开展合作。接下来的主题演讲为一天的讨论定下基调，重点关注需要前瞻型领导力的全球挑战。

来自比利时根特大学的Lucien Bollaert教授强调了经济变动、气候变化、数字化和健康危机等紧迫的全球问题，呼吁重新思考传统大学的使命。他强调需要在各个层面实施转型，推行混合领导，以推动有效的组织变革。

来自南非西开普大学的Marieta du Plessis教授讨论了多样性和包容性的区别，提出了促进包容性学术领导的具体步骤，包括文化智力、公平思维和导师计划。

UNICA网络的Luciano Saso教授探讨了大学网络在加强学术领导力中的关键作用，指出了数字化带来的挑战和机遇，以及国际合作在塑造高等教育中的重要性。

乌干达月亮山大学的Pius Achanga教授指出了成长型大学实现强大学术领导力的关键支柱，重点是制度政策、良好治理和战略合作伙伴关系。

关于国际化和研究合作的专题讨论

由朱畅教授主持的第二环节专题讨论会，探讨了学术领导力和国际化的重要性。发言者强调了前瞻型领导力的重要性，并分享了博洛尼亚进程等成功的国际倡议经验，以及促进国际化的机构经验。

第三环节重点讨论了研究政策、合作和研究的影响。发言者讨论了国际研究合作如何促进高等教育的国际化和各国高校的绩效。他们还分享了学者在不同国家背景下开展国际合作所面临的挑战。

圆桌讨论和总结发言

在最后一个环节，来自中欧高等教育研究中心的齐政文主持了圆桌讨论，联盟合作伙伴分别分享了他们所在机构的成功合作经验和未来的合作前景。该讨论还强调了教师培训、资源共享等合作领域。

研讨会在Antonio Rendas教授的总结发言中圆满结束，他重申了持续国际合作、促进交流和提升高等教育战略领导力的重要性。

LEAD学术联盟研讨会是讨论高等教育中学术领导力和国际化未来的关键平台。通过营造合作环境，研讨会促进了对学术领导力的认知，并重申了促进学术领导者交流与合作的重要性。