The Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) is seeking to strengthen its position in the international academic debate on the future of higher education, expanding its international contacts and prospects for cooperation with leading universities.

The participation of the university’s rector, Professor Vassilis Vasdeki, in the Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026 (GUPLS 2026), held in Hong Kong on 27 and 28 October, provided an important opportunity for international representation and the exchange of academic experience.

AUEB was the only Greek university to take part in the event, which brought together rectors and senior university executives from more than 50 universities across more than 20 countries and regions.

The institutions represented included internationally renowned universities such as Harvard, Cambridge and the University of Toronto, Goethe University Frankfurt, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, South Korea’s KAIST and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, as well as major universities in China and Saudi Arabia. Representatives of ten Hong Kong universities also attended the summit.

The globalisation of knowledge

The central theme of this year’s event was the “Globalisation of Knowledge” and how universities can respond to rapid changes in the international environment, new technological capabilities and the constantly evolving needs of society.

The discussion went beyond the traditional role of universities as centres of knowledge transmission and scientific research, highlighting the need to build stronger bridges between academia, government, industry, research centres and investment organisations. The aim is to turn scientific knowledge into innovation with a tangible social and economic impact.

Particular emphasis was placed on Artificial Intelligence and the changes it is bringing to both the content of academic programmes and the ways in which teaching, assessment and the production of new knowledge are carried out. Modern universities face a twofold challenge: they must integrate new technologies into their teaching and research activities while ensuring that their graduates have the skills required by a labour market undergoing rapid transformation.

In this context, international partnerships, the exchange of research experience and the development of joint educational initiatives are emerging as essential prerequisites for universities to remain competitive.

Greece’s presence in an international academic environment

As an invited speaker, Professor Vassilis Vasdeki had the opportunity to present Athens University of Economics and Business in a highly competitive international environment and exchange views with leaders of major academic institutions. His participation is particularly significant, as internationalisation is no longer simply a means of raising universities’ profiles, but a key factor in academic development.

Networking with institutions abroad can create opportunities for joint research programmes, student and academic staff exchanges, postgraduate-level partnerships and the transfer of expertise in cutting-edge fields.

For AUEB, a university specialising in economics, business administration, information technology and the social sciences, engagement with international academic and research networks can further strengthen its position in an environment where economics, technology and innovation are becoming increasingly interconnected.

According to the university, the summit provided an opportunity to exchange best practices, establish new contacts and explore potential future partnerships. The challenge now is to give these contacts concrete substance and translate them into initiatives that deliver meaningful benefits to the academic community.

“Active participation in the international dialogue on the future of universities”

The university’s rector, Professor Vassilis Vasdeki, spoke about the significance of AUEB’s presence at the summit, stressing that internationalisation, an outward-looking approach and the development of strategic partnerships remain consistent priorities of the university’s policy.

“The participation of Athens University of Economics and Business in the GUPLS 2026 Summit confirms the university’s steadfast commitment to internationalisation, an outward-looking approach and the development of strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide,” he said.

He noted that, at a time when Artificial Intelligence and rapid technological advances are transforming higher education, the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices is becoming particularly important.

“AUEB seeks to play an active role in the international dialogue on the future of universities, contributing to the development of a modern academic environment that connects innovation and excellence with the needs of society,” he added.