King's hosts THE World Academic Summit
The Times Higher Education World Academic Summit - a flagship higher educational conference - will launch this Sunday, hosted by King’s. Leaders in Higher Education from over 50 countries will come together to the UK's capital - the first time the summit has been hosted in Europe - to explore the key issues and opportunities facing higher education today.
This year's summit centres around the theme of collaboration. Major topics that will be discussed include the impact of Brexit on research; diversity in Higher Education; the value of entrepreneurship; the power of Global partnerships; and how universities create impact in their local communities. The summit will also mark the launch of THE World University Rankings 2017-18, due to be announced on Tuesday 5 September.
In partnering with THE, King’s will connect with leaders from the world’s leading universities, Nobel laureates, and prominent figures from government, policymaking and industry.
King’s President and Principal Professor Ed Byrne said: 'This summit exemplifies the heart of our new strategic vision; serving the needs and aspirations of society by partnering up with a network of global leaders.
King’s is committed to tackling the major issues of our time. Through partnerships such as the PLuS Alliance, and with the Francis Crick Institute, we are bringing together some of the greatest minds across the world. These shared challenges will be most effectively addressed through coalition and collaboration.'
PLuS Alliance combines the strengths of three leading universities – King's, UNSW Sydney, and Arizona State University – to solve global challenges around sustainability, social justice, health, and technology. Examples of recent work include ongoing research investigating at how best to manage the Okavango delta in Botswana, a UNESCO heritage site that faces threats from water shortages and flooding.
This will be discussed by leaders of each of the PLuS Alliance universities, at just one of many sessions throughout the summit's three days.
Phil Baty, Editorial Director, Global Rankings, Times Higher Education said: 'It is fitting that our 2017 World Academic Summit is being held in one of the world's most international, most diverse and most globally networked cities. Hosted by King's – one of the most dynamic institutions in London – we look forward to bringing people together, fostering collaborations, partnerships and strengthening relationships.'
The summit theme truly reflects King's major strategic aims: collaborating with world-class institutions to reach new international communities, enrich student experience and increase the impact of our research.
We're also looking closer to home, and take seriously a civic responsibility to contribute to the city in which we're based. The KCL SMILE Society is just one example of that, with dental students volunteering within the local community to educate children on the importance of good oral health and disease prevention. A topic of discussion during the summit, leaders will consider how universities can exist in collaboration with, rather than in isolation from, their local communities.
Professor Byrne reaffirmed the importance of hosting the summit: 'We show a firm commitment from London to be a cooperative, outward reaching hub for research and education,' he said.
The Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, collaborating for a better world: New models for research universities, will be hosted by King's from 3-5 September 2017.
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