On July 8, 2024, the LEAD Academic Network Symposium on Academic Leadership and Internationalization was successfully held at the University of Cyprus. This symposium brought together academic leaders from various countries and regions to discuss strategies, challenges, and experiences in academic leadership and internationalization, providing valuable insights and inspiration for the future development of these fields.
The event began with a tour of the University of Cyprus campus, giving participants a comprehensive understanding of the institution's infrastructure and academic environment. The symposium's opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. Elena Avgoustidou-Kyriacou, Acting Director of the International Relations Service and Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus. Professor Tasos Christofides, Rector of the University of Cyprus, delivered the opening remarks, warmly welcoming all guests. Stella-Maria Vassiliou, from the International Relations Service, provided an overview of the University of Cyprus and its international recruitment efforts. Following this, Professor Marcin Górski from the Silesian University of Technology presented a keynote speech on "European University Initiative - New Dimension in Academic Leadership Cooperation," exploring new models of academic leadership cooperation.
The symposium then moved into a roundtable discussion on "Strategies, Challenges, and Experiences on Academic Leadership and Internationalization," chaired by Professor WANG Zhenxian from Beijing Institute of Education and the University of Cyprus. Professors from the University of Cyprus, Zhejiang University, Istanbul University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Tongji University, Silesian University of Technology, and Renmin University of China shared their insights and experiences.
In the afternoon, keynote presentations focused on academic leadership and institutional and regional cooperation. Professor João Amaro de Matos, Vice Rector of Universidade Nova De Lisboa, discussed "Academic Leadership and Regional Cooperation at NOVA: Recent Cases," while Anthony Antoine, Executive Director of the School of Governance at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, shared his perspectives.
The interactive Q&A session provided a platform for participants to share their academic leadership experiences and engage in peer learning, fostering a lively and engaging atmosphere. Professor Chang Zhu concluded the symposium with a summary, marking the successful end of the event.
This symposium facilitated collaboration and understanding among academic leaders from different countries, laying the foundation for future development in academic leadership and internationalization, and offering valuable experiences and insights.
