The organising partners are pleased to announce the International Symposium on Higher Education Leadership, Innovation and Capacity Development, which will take place in the Republic of Mauritius from 27 to 31 July 2026.
Organisers & Supporting Partner
This symposium is jointly initiated by the EU–China Higher Education Research Center (ECHE) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the LEAD Academic Network, Zhejiang University, the UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network (UNESCO EE-Net), COLIANI, WERA, in collaboration with and with the support of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Research, Republic of Mauritius.
Key Themes
Higher education leadership and governance
Research, innovation, and institutional capacity development
Artificial intelligence in higher education
Micro-credentials
Educational entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education
Draft Programme Structure (Indicative)
Day 1: LEAD Academic Network Forum Theme: Global Perspectives on Higher Education Leadership
Strategic dialogue on leadership, governance, and international collaboration in higher education
Contributions from scholars, senior university leaders and LEAD Network partners
Focus on policy dialogue, leadership practices, and institutional development
Day 2–3: Zhejiang University & UNESCO EE-Net Programme Theme: Capacity Development, Entrepreneurship Education, and Innovation Sessions led and coordinated by Zhejiang University and UNESCO EE-Net
Topics may include entrepreneurship education, innovation ecosystems, talent development, research capacity building, and international training programmes
Contributions from UNESCO EE-Net partners, Zhejiang University experts, and invited international scholars
Emphasis on practical models, case studies, and scalable capacity development initiatives
Day 4: Joint Synthesis, Policy Dialogue & Cultural Exchanges
Joint reflection and synthesis of key insights from the symposium
Policy dialogue on future cooperation opportunities
Exploration of follow-up initiatives and long-term collaboration frameworks; Signing of Cooperation Agreements
Cultural exchanges
The programme is indicative and subject to final confirmation.
Participants
The symposium will bring together university leaders, policymakers, and academic experts from different regions to exchange experiences and explore future collaboration opportunities.
Practical Arrangements
Participants cover: international travel (round-trip airfare), accommodation, medical insurance, and other related costs.
Registration
Please complete the online registration form (Microsoft Forms) to confirm participation and provide essential logistical information (visa needs, travel dates, dietary requirements, etc.).
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/e/hejaXD3FQp
Contact
For enquiries, please contact: Yujie XUE | yujie.xue@vub.be