SSUN Annual Event 2022 & Global Higher Education Leaders’ Forum Held

In this golden season of Autumn, the Global Higher Education Leaders' Forum "Networks for Globalization: The Future of Higher Education", also known as the Social Sciences Universities Network Annual Event 2022 was held at Renmin University of China on October 29-30, prior to the university's 85th birthday on October 3rd, 2022. As part of a series of celebration events for RUC's 85th anniversary, the forum provides an important platform to pool wisdom from global partners, discuss the prospects of international cooperation in humanities and social sciences, and explore multilateralism in higher education in the new landscape of globalization.

Together with representatives from domestic universities, leaders, experts and scholars from 32 world-renowned universities and institutions from Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Mexico and the United States of America etc., attended the forum either online or onsite. On the afternoon of September 29th, the opening ceremony of the forum was successfully held at RUC. Overseas partner universities, institutions and international dignitaries sent their best wishes to RUC's 85th anniversary on the ceremony.

Zhang Donggang, Chairperson of the University Council of RUC, Paul Alivisatos, President of University of Chicago, Yves Flückiger, Rector of University of Geneva, and CHUNG Jin Taek, President of Korea University, attended the opening ceremony online or onsite and made speeches. Lin Shangli, President of RUC, Mark S. Wrighton, President of George Washington University, and Andrea Prencipe, Rector of Luiss University delivered keynote speeches. The ceremony was moderated by Du Peng, Vice President of RUC.

Chairperson Zhang Donggang, on behalf of RUC, extended sincere greetings to foreign and domestic guests, experts and scholars, and heartfelt thanks to friends from around the world who have been supporting the development of RUC. He noted that the world is now undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, which is evolving even faster into a new period of turbulence. It is more than clear that this is a moment of transformation for the world, the times, and the history. At this crucial juncture full of challenges and hope, higher education institutions should join hands to reflect upon and gain insight into the profound connotation and vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and to hold more open attitude towards mutual cooperation, global challenges and higher education innovation. RUC has long been upholding multilateralism in higher education, bearing in mind the sharing of educational resources and win-win cooperation, and dedicated to advancing exchanges among institutions and pursing academic prosperity, so as to build a new type of higher education that is open, inclusive and beneficial to all.

Speaking of ways to better leverage higher education as networks for globalization, Chairperson Zhang Donggang notes that universities should consider the following proposals: adhering to win-win coexistence and promoting open cooperation in higher education; fostering innovation in global issue research; collaborating with each other to cultivate talents with global strategic capability; and learning from each other to facilitating cultural exchanges and connectivity. At the end of his speech, Chairperson Zhang Donggang said that we should stay confident and work together to build a community for humanities and social sciences with a shared destiny and closer relationship.

President Paul Alivisatos said that global issues are growing in scale and complexity, which requires countries and industries to address the common public health crisis in an open and cooperative manner. Besides, universities and their partners also need to adopt more open policies through facilitating the progress of the way of thinking and encouraging scientific innovation. There are many challenges faced by the world that transcend political and cultural boundaries, which research institutions are uniquely well placed to address, such as climate change, urbanization, new energy sources, public health and many others. Universities should also embrace cooperation instead of isolation, cross over the limit of language or discipline, and stay committed to truth, dialogue and empathy.

Rector Yves Flückiger pointed out that in this time of tense international relation, it's very important to organize a forum to discuss the role of universities in our globalized world. Humanity is going through a sensitive period with important challenges. The issue of climate change on the one hand and tension in international relation on the other make the work of universities, particularly important. We all have common interest in working together as effectively as possible to manage all these challenges we have to face. In this context, universities as places for exchange, dialogue and reflection, have a fundamental role to play. Currently, globalization is facing various risks: lack of trust, lack of cooperation, trade conflicts and even wars. Behind the notion of progress and discovery of new scientific knowledge, we have today an obligation of suggesting concrete solutions. As important center for the dissemination of civilization and humanity spirits, universities should assume this historical mission.

President CHUNG Jin Taek proposed that the higher education landscape of the future will be characterized by the fostering of connections, through the greater use of digital technologies, the harmonizing and synergizing of knowledge through academic convergence, and the development of international networks to address global challenges through fostering effective university cooperation. With faith in the shared humanity, coupled with best efforts, universities can have every reason to look forward to creating a more fully integrated higher education environment, delivering a brighter and more equitable future for all.

President Lin Shangli pointed out that RUC has been adhering to its historical mission and social responsibility throughout its 85 years of history. It stands at the forefront of national development, and takes human destiny and people's well-being as its starting point and final goal. RUC has laid a solid foundation for and played a leading role in the development and prosperity of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. So far, RUC has established partnership with 306 universities and institutions overseas, and has made abundant achievements in faculty and student exchanges, joint education programs and scientific research projects. This forum is expected to explore new paths and modes of academic cooperation, and draw a new blueprint for higher education.

President Lin Shangli believes that in a globalized era, higher education must pay strong attention to human caring and always bear in mind human future and destiny. Universities should transcend national boundaries, view education in a global picture, and make collaborations to contribute wisdom and strength to human peace and development. He also emphasized that higher education institutions must deepen cooperation and exchanges, incorporate diverse cultures, and learn from each other. It should also further advance cross-border academic cooperation and multi-cultural exchanges, in an effort to explore a sustainable education path, and make greater contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

President Mark S. Wrighton expressed that universities are engaged not only in teaching what is known, but also are creating new knowledge that advances society in many fields, contributing to solving pressing issues of the times. Such global issues include climate change, environmental concerns and aging of societies. These challenges pose problems that cannot be solved by any single institution. Indeed, these problems cannot be solved by any single country. To make progress, it requires the collaboration of teachers, researchers, clinicians and the next generation of leaders around the world. The aim is to contribute to the education and scholarship that promotes collaboration to enhance our world.

Rector Andrea Prencipe stressed that to address common challenges and difficulties confronting mankind, universities should explore new education modes, seek cooperation on digital and information technology and cultivate global youth leaders. Luiss University, together with RUC and George Washington University, initiated the world's first undergraduate triple degree international program on management, aiming to nurture global governance talents with international vision, professional background and broad employment prospect. He looks forward to furthering cooperation with universities and educators across the world to build a more flexible, resilient and sustainable international community.

The SSUN Annual Event 2022 & Global Higher Education Leaders' Forum "Networks for Globalization: The Future of Higher Education" is one of the important activities to commemorate the 85^th anniversary of RUC. There are three sub-forums, namely "Higher Education Multilateralism in the New Landscape of Globalization", "International Cooperation on Humanities and Social Sciences", and "Building a Future-Oriented Psychological Service System in Higher Education Institutions", and six parallel sessions during the forum.

On November 4^th, 2019, RUC and Luiss University co-initiated the world's first "Social Sciences Universities Network" (SSUN). So far, 24 member institutions have joined the Network, including 15 official members, including University of Munich, Luiss University, Renmin University of China, University of Macau, University of Stellenbosch, Tilburg University and El Colegio de Mexico, together with 9 observers. Since its inception, the Network has been dedicated to integrating high-quality resources in humanities and social sciences around the world, and actively building an international platform for scientific research cooperation, talent training and social services. The SSUN Annual Event 2022 & Global Higher Education Leaders' Forum, taking the opportunity of SSUN annual event, invited a wide range of experts from home and abroad to discuss the future of higher education.

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