background:white">color:#333333">Prof. Romain "Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333"> MEEUSEN, VUB Vice-Rector Internationalisation, welcomed all participants on behalf of VUB. The Minister-counsellor for Education and Culture from the China Mission to the EU, the representative from the European Commission's DG Education and Culture, and Vice President YU Jingtian from the National Academy of Education Administration, also addressed at the kick-off ceremony. The LEAD book on ‘University Governance and Academic Leadership’ was also released at the event.
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0px">color:#333333">Preparatory meetings had been productive as they provided a clear picture of the LEAD2 project and a series of activities which will be held. During the partners meeting session, each partner had the opportunity to present their institution and goals for the LEAD2 project. In addition, the strategic work plans and the arrangement of project activities were discussed and optimised.
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0px">color:#333333">Keynote speeches at the kick-off meeting and the workshops were insightful and accompanied by intense discussions. The points raised touched on key issues concerning university academic leadership development in both China and Europe, including the contribution of incorporated analytics in decision-making, the importance of considering paradoxical leadership as a necessary approach, and old and new challenges for leaders in higher education.
background:white">color:#333333">During the LEAD2 project, blended training and learning (including MOOCs, workshops and peer learning) will take place in both Europe and China. Furthermore, the importance of comparative studies regarding university governance and academic leadership was emphasised in lively debates. The potential research results are highlighted as additional contributions for future collaboration between Chinese and European universities towards academic leadership development.
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0px">color:#333333">Throughout the three days of the LEAD2 kick-off meeting, several case studies and practices toward university governance and academic leadership were shared by European and Chinese participants. Differences and similarities were found in understanding and responding to the perceptions and practices of academic leadership. Stakeholders from both sides shared a common concern that leaders, regardless of their academic levels and contexts, are facing both old and new challenges in decision-making and strategic planning. It is, therefore, essential to strengthen cooperation and communication amongst all partners and stakeholders to share experiences and learn from each other.
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0px">color:#333333">The LEAD2 kick-off meeting and workshops have created a solid foundation for the implementation of the work plan and cooperation. These exchange activities have strengthened the current cooperation as well as the discussions and establishment of further collaboration among all partners and actors involved.
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0px">color:#333333">The next LEAD2 event will be a first series of LEAD2 workshops on Academic Leadership in Beijing, China, in June 2019.
background:white">color:#333333">For more information, please visit the LEAD2 project website
background:white">color:#333333">More information regarding the previous project can be found on the LEAD project website
background:white">color:#333333">Access to the LEAD MOOC on "University Governance and Academic Leadership" (free of charge) by clicking the link behind the title.