On December 7, 2024, the LEAD Academic Network Conference on Future-Oriented Academic Leadership and its 2024 Annual Meeting took place at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou. Academic leaders and scholars from across the globe convened to explore transformative trends in higher education, emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and the future of academic leadership.
Facilitated by Prof. Dr. Yue Kan, Dean of the College of Education at Zhejiang University, the conference opened with a keynote welcome from Prof. Dr. Jianghong Zhou, Vice-President of Zhejiang University. Prof. Zhou highlighted the pivotal role of academic leadership in driving institutional transformation and fostering dialogue between European and Chinese higher education institutions (HEIs). He presented Zhejiang University’s efforts to advance international academic exchanges and commended the LEAD Academic Network’s contributions to enhancing global partnerships and educational diplomacy.
The opening session continued with a thought-provoking presentation by Prof. Jan Cornelis, who reflected on the evolving challenges faced by academic leaders, including climate change, advancements in artificial intelligence, and geopolitical dynamics. He emphasized the necessity of interdisciplinary collaborations and closer ties between universities and their ecosystems to address these challenges effectively. Prof. Dr. Chang Zhu, Director of the Executive Committee of the LEAD Academic Network, followed with a comprehensive overview of the Network’s accomplishments in 2024, including the launch of its official website and other strategic initiatives. Prof. Zhu also outlined the Network’s ambitious agenda for 2025, inviting participants to contribute to addressing higher education’s emerging challenges.
The first keynote session, Future-Oriented Academic Leadership, facilitated by Prof. Dr. Wei Shen of Zhejiang University’s School of Public Affairs, featured diverse perspectives on leadership practices. Prof. Dr. Luciano Saso, Secretary General of UNICA, discussed the evolution of teaching and research in European universities, emphasizing a shift from traditional lectures to fostering creativity and critical thinking among students. Prof. Dr. Vinayagum Chinapah of Stockholm University delved into capacity development, advocating for locally-driven and dynamic approaches to inclusive leadership, citing China’s comparative education development as a model. Prof. Dr. Hantian Wu of Zhejiang University presented research on Chinese postgraduate perspectives, offering valuable insights into the interplay between internationalization and indigenization, globalization, and regionalization in higher education. Prof. Dr. Joao Amaro de Matos, Vice Rector of NOVA Lisbon University, explored the balance between global consistency and local identity, stressing the importance of aligning international standards with community engagement.
The second keynote session, Innovative Leadership in the Digital Age, facilitated by Prof. Dr. Yan Li, Deputy Dean of the College of Education, examined how technology is reshaping academic practices. Prof. Yasar Kondakci from Middle East Technical University discussed the transformative role of artificial intelligence in reimagining academic leadership. Prof. Marcin Górski introduced the EURECA-PRO project, which integrates the metaverse into student learning to drive innovation and engagement. Margarita Vishnevskaia and Prof. Dr. Liusheng Liu of Yunnan Normal University provided insights into governance trends in the digital era and identified areas for future research.
Afternoon roundtable discussions enriched the conference by focusing on innovative educational practices in digital transformation and emerging trends in international higher education leadership. Participants exchanged strategies for integrating digital tools into curricula, fostering critical thinking in the AI era, and strengthening trust in EU-China higher education cooperation. The discussions also explored ways to balance global competitiveness with local relevance while maintaining quality and driving innovation.
The conference concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation in higher education. With its forward-looking agenda and dedication to addressing global academic challenges, the LEAD Academic Network continues to lead efforts to shape the future of academia worldwide.
LEAD学术联盟探索面向未来的领导力与高等教育创新
2024年12月7日，LEAD学术联盟“面向未来的学术领导力”主题会议暨2024年度会议在中国杭州的浙江大学举行。来自世界各地的学术领导者和学者齐聚一堂，共同探讨高等教育领域的变革性趋势，聚焦创新、包容性以及学术领导力的未来。
会议由浙江大学教育学院院长阚越教授主持开幕，浙江大学副校长周江洪教授发表了主旨欢迎辞。周校长强调了学术领导力在推动机构转型和促进中欧高等教育机构对话中的关键作用。他介绍了浙江大学在推动国际学术交流方面的努力，并高度评价了LEAD学术联盟在促进全球伙伴关系和教育外交方面的贡献。
在开幕环节中，比利时布鲁塞尔自由大学的 Jan Cornelis教授发表了引人深思的演讲。他回顾了学术领导者面临的气候变化、人工智能进步和地缘政治动态等全球性挑战，并强调跨学科合作以及加强大学与其生态系统联系的必要性，以有效应对这些挑战。随后，LEAD学术联盟执行委员会主席朱畅教授全面介绍了联盟在2024年的成就，包括官方网站的启动及其他战略性举措。朱教授还概述了联盟在2025年的工作计划，邀请与会者共同应对高等教育领域的新兴挑战。
第一场主旨演讲“面向未来的学术领导力”由浙江大学公共管理学院沈伟教授主持。来自欧洲首都大学联盟的秘书长 Luciano Saso教授探讨了欧洲大学教学与科研的演变，重点介绍了从传统教学向培养学生创造力和批判性思维的转变，同时探讨了人工智能带来的机遇和挑战。斯德哥尔摩大学的Vinayagum Chinapah教授深入阐述了能力发展的内涵，以中国的比较教育学科发展为例倡导以本地驱动和动态的方式实现包容性领导力的发展。浙江大学的吴寒天研究员分享了关于中国研究生视角的研究成果，为国际化与本土化、全球化与区域化在中国高等教育中的相互作用提供了重要见解。新里斯本大学副校长 Joao Amaro de Matos教授探讨了大学在全球一致性与地方特色之间取得平衡的挑战，强调了在高等教育中将国际标准与本地特点相结合的重要性。
第二场主旨演讲“数字时代的创新领导力”由浙江大学教育学院副院长李艳教授主持。来自中东技术大学的Yasar Kondakci教授探讨了人工智能在重新构想学术领导力方面的变革潜力。来自西里西亚工业大学的Prof. Marcin Górski教授介绍了EURECA-PRO项目，展示了如何将数字技术融入学生学习中，以推动创新和参与。Margarita Vishnevskaia和云南师范大学的刘六生教授（Prof. Liusheng Liu）则提供了关于数字时代高校治理趋势的相关见解，并指出了未来研究的方向。
下午的两场圆桌讨论深化了会议主题，分别聚焦于数字化转型中的创新教育实践和国际高等教育领导力的新趋势。与会者交流了将数字工具整合到课程中、在人工智能时代培养批判性思维以及加强中欧高等教育合作信任的相关策略。讨论还探讨了在保持全球竞争力与本地相关性平衡的同时，确保教育质量并推动创新的方法。
此次大会强调了中欧高等教育机构合作的重要性，并对教育包容性和教育创新的探讨作出了重要的贡献。凭借前瞻性的议程和应对全球学术挑战的决心，LEAD学术联盟将继续为引领塑造学术领导力的未来而努力。