On April 14-15, 2025, the LEAD Academic Network successfully organized a seminar entitled "Digital Leadership on the Use of AI in Higher Education" at Yildiz Technical University (YTU), Istanbul. The event brought together international experts, academic leaders, and researchers to explore opportunities and challenges in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into higher education.
The seminar was opened by Prof. Dr. Ali Fuat Arici, Dean of the Faculty of Education at YTU, who welcomed participants and emphasized the critical role of academic institutions in adopting digital innovations.
Prof. Dr. Chang Zhu, Director of the LEAD Academic Network, presented an overview of the network's ongoing initiatives and strategic vision, highlighting its dedication to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among international academic institutions.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Dr. Haiyan Wang from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, who discussed the paradigm shifts brought about by AI in higher education, emphasizing both opportunities and significant challenges. Dr. Sevgi Kaya Kasikci from Middle East Technical University provided comparative insights into AI policies from major global actors, highlighting implications for universities. Prof. Dr. Jianwei Zhang from Tongji University delivered a keynote on leadership cultivation in fundamental disciplines in the AI era, specifically addressing the unique characteristics within the field of physics.
The seminar also featured two interactive workshops focusing on strategic visions, policy-making, and the skills required by academics to successfully navigate and implement AI-driven innovations in educational settings. Members of the LEAD Academic Network teamed up with postgraduate students at Yildiz Technical University to actively engage in discussions about the ethical use of AI, transparency, and effective digital leadership practices.
The seminar concluded with insightful reflections from participants representing institutions such as Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Guangxi Normal University, Tongji University, Yildiz Technical University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, emphasizing that AI is not merely a technology but a terrain of changes requiring visionary leaders, informed policy-making, and continuous adaptation. Prof. Melita Kovacevic, chair of the Advisory Committee of the LEAD Academic Network highlighted the significance of the seminar in discussing a timely issue that is important for academic leadership development.
This successful event underscored the LEAD Academic Network’s commitment to addressing contemporary challenges in higher education and strengthening global academic collaboration through innovative digital leadership.
LEAD学术联盟研讨会聚焦高等教育中人工智能的整合
2025年4月14日至15日，LEAD学术联盟在土耳其伊斯坦布尔耶尔德兹技术大学成功举办了主题为“人工智能与高等教育数字领导力”的研讨会。会议汇聚了国际专家、学术领导者及研究人员，共同探讨人工智能（AI）在高等教育领域的融合机遇与挑战。
研讨会开幕式由耶尔德兹技术大学教育学院院长Ali Fuat Arici教授主持，他在致辞中欢迎了参会者，并强调了学术机构在数字创新应用中的关键作用。
LEAD学术联盟主任朱畅教授介绍了联盟当前的战略举措及未来规划，强调联盟致力于促进国际学术机构间的协作与知识交流。
主旨发言嘉宾包括来自中国科学院大学的王海燕教授，她探讨了人工智能给高等教育带来的范式转变，指出了AI技术带来的巨大机遇与严峻挑战。来自中东技术大学的Sevgi Kaya Kasikci博士则对全球主要国家及地区的AI政策进行了比较分析，阐述了这些政策对大学发展带来的深远影响。同济大学的张建伟教授发表了关于AI时代基础学科领导力培养的主旨演讲，特别探讨了物理学领域的独特特征。
会议还组织了两场围绕战略愿景、政策制定及学术人员AI技能培养的互动式工作坊。LEAD学术联盟成员与耶尔德兹技术大学研究生们组成团队，积极参与讨论，深入探讨了AI技术应用的伦理问题、透明度及有效的数字领导实践。
最后，来自比利时布鲁塞尔自由大学、广西师范大学、同济大学、耶尔德兹技术大学、中国科学院大学及恰纳卡莱翁塞奇兹大学的参会者们发表了总结反思，强调人工智能不仅是一项技术，更是一片充满变革的领域，需要具有前瞻性的领导者、基于信息的政策制定以及持续的适应能力。LEAD学术联盟咨询委员会主席Melita Kovacevic教授特别强调了本次研讨会讨论的议题在学术领导力发展中的重要性和及时性。
此次研讨会充分展示了LEAD学术联盟对应对高等教育当代挑战的决心，以及通过创新数字领导力持续推动全球学术合作的承诺。