LEAD Academic Network's Chinese Committee Meeting Held in Beijing

On December 23, 2023, the Chinese Committee Meeting of the LEAD Academic Network was successfully held at the European Studies Centre of Renmin University of China. The meeting gathered 23 experts and scholars from 12 renowned higher educational institutions, including Vrije Universiteit Brussel, National Academy of Educational Administration, Renmin University and so forth. The core agenda focused on in-depth discussions about the summary of the Network's work in 2023 and the development goals for 2024.

The meeting began with a collaborative spirit as the experts reviewed and unanimously adopted the draft Charter of the LEAD Academic Network, a move that signifies the network's commitment to more structured and formal cooperation. Following this, the assembly moved to elect members for the Governing Committee, Advisory Committee, and Executive Committee for the upcoming 2023-2024 term, ensuring continued efficiency and strategic oversight in the network's operations.

Prof. dr. Chang ZHU, Director of the EU-China Higher Education Research Center at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, presented a detailed report on the accomplishments and future plans of the LEAD Academic Network over the past year. Under her leadership, participants engaged in extensive discussions about the focal points for work in 2024, devising detailed work plans and objectives covering areas such as educational and scientific research cooperation, academic leadership training, and construction of academic networks.

As the meeting drew to a close, there was a unanimous sense of commitment and enthusiasm among the participants. They collectively vowed to champion and actively engage in the network's endeavors to foster deeper and more expansive higher education collaboration between China and Europe. The successful completion of the LEAD Academic Network's Chinese Committee Meeting did not just symbolize a year of progress; it also underscored the growing momentum and potential for enriched educational ties between the two regions, laying a robust groundwork for future collaboration in a multitude of sectors.