Foreign, education ministers to participate in World Universities Summit

O.P. Jindal Global University has announced the participation of Foreign and Education Ministers in the upcoming G20 Higher Educators Forum's Universities of the Future Summit.

The Theme of the Virtual Summit is 'Building Institutional Resilience, Social Responsibility & Community Impact in G20 Countries'.

The Chief Guest V Muraleedharan, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, will deliver the inaugural address. The valedictory session will be given by Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Union Minister of State for Education.

The five-day summit, which begins on March 27, will bring together 160 national and international participants from all G20 countries across six continents and will involve:

l 100 universities

l 160 university leaders

l 30 plus thematic sessions

l Three keynote addresses

The welcome address will be delivered by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor, O. P. Jindal Global University, while the introductory remarks will be given by Professor (Dr.) Mohan Kumar, Dean and Director, Jindal Global Centre for Studies, O. P. Jindal Global University. A special address will be given by Professor (Dr.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General Association of Indian Universities.

Announcing the inauguration of the World Universities Summit, Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said, "It is a rare occasion for such a high-level gathering of globally recognised academics and educational experts from the G20 countries to come together to discuss issues that directly impact the future of education.

"It is an honour to welcome renowned intellectuals and academics to this unique multi-country summit. As part of the five-day conference we will discuss and analyze the needs, challenges and requirements of higher education across renowned institutions of G20 countries.

"Under India's presidency of the G20, it is our endeavour to contribute towards cooperation, collaboration and development of higher education partnerships. Our sessions will seek to address key issues and will aim to find solutions and build a new foundation in education amongst countries that comprise the G20 group."

Sessions have been organised keeping in mind the contemporary context and needs of higher education amongst the G20 countries. As part of the 30 thematic sessions there will be several special addresses and discussions on important themes, some of which include high-level discussions on topics like:

India's Aspiration to Build World-Class Universities: A Reality Check, which will be conducted by Professor (Dr.) Philip G. Altbach, Founding Director & Research Professor Center for International Higher Education, Boston College, the US and Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar. Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University, India;

No Room Of One's Own: Redefining Work Life Balance In A Post-Pandemic World conducted with Professor (Dr.) Victoria Jones, Senior International Officer, University of California, Irvine, the US; a keynote address and discussion

Building World Class Universities In India: One Rank At A Time By Dr. Ashwin Fernandes Regional Director - Mena & South Asia, Quacquarelli Symonds, India;

Building World-Class Universities: The American Imagination For Higher Education, by Professor Peter H. Schuck Simeon E. Baldwin Professor, Emeritus of Law, Yale Law School, Yale University, the US and Dr. Geoffrey M. Cox, Senior Associate Dean, Finance & Administration, Graduate School of Education, Stanford University, the US.

Other sessions have themes which include Being Glocal: University as a Site of Local Innovation & Meaningful Community Engagement; Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Universities Promoting Equality & Nurturing Future Women Leaders; Academic Freedom & Democratic Leadership: Autonomy versus Accountability; Holistic Higher Education: Role of Interdisciplinary Studies in Overcoming Challenges of the 21st Century amongst many other high-level discourses.

Professor (Dr.) Mohan Kumar, Dean and Director, Jindal Global Centre for Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University said that the summit was an opportunity for India's cooperation with the world as part of its spiritual and abiding theme of building global relationships.

"There will be a special session on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Values Of Global Citizenship & Role Of Higher Education Institutions with Professor (Dr.) Kim Brooks, Provost & Vice President, Academic, Dalhousie University, Canada, Professor (Dr.) Lucas S. Grosman, Rector, University of San Andres, Argentina, Professor (Dr.) Samantha Kelley, Associate Director, Global Programs, Temple University, United States of America and Professor (Dr.) Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President, International, Engagement & Service, Kings College, London, United Kingdom amongst others," said Kumar.

In an unprecedented gathering of leading educational leaders from G20 countries, there will be participation from luminaries like Phil Baty Chief Global Affairs Officer Times Higher Education United Kingdom, Professor (Dr.) Paul Flather, Former Secretary-General Europaeum &

This third edition of the World Universities Summit is special because it entails participation of 100 Universities from G20 countries and is taking place against the backdrop of India's presidency of the G20 grouping, which will culminate in the Delhi G20 Summit of leaders in September 2023.