ALLEA President at the Black Sea University Network (BSUN) Congress

 

On 13-15 October 2021, ALLEA President Antonio Loprieno delivered a virtual keynote at this years’ Black Sea University Network (BSUN) Congress, hosted in a hybrid format by the American University of Armenia (AUA).

 

This year, the conference was held under the theme ‘Universities’ Role in Solving Complex Challenges.’  Professor Loprieno delivered a keynote speech on the topic ‘Transformation of Universities’ Role in Society: Historical Tendencies and Future Prospects’, which was followed by a panel discussion with experts from within the BSUN network.

Other keynote speakers included Dr. Daron Acemoglu, professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Dr. John Holmberg, professor of physical resource theory, and UNESCO chair in education for sustainable development at Chalmers University; Professor Line Gordon, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, among others. Experts discussed the universities’ leadership role for integration and transformation, public-private-university partnerships, establishing solution-driven university alliances, and strategies for addressing complex challenges in society.

The BSUN 2021 Congress, which is a part of the BSUN initiative, was held in hybrid mode, realizing larger attendance of participants both virtually and in person. The Congress kicked off with a welcome reception on October 13, bringing together local and global university leaders for the official opening of the Congress.

BSUN comprises more than 120 member universities from all 12 member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Serbia.