JGU Vice Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, participated in three separate sessions at this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland from 21-24 January 2020. He is the only vice chancellor from India invited to speak at Davos this year.

As part of Caspian Week-WEF, Professor Kumar spoke in two panels. The first panel discussion was on the theme ‘Education & Leadership for Sustainable World’ and focused on educational leadership, sustainability, inclusive development, institutional cultural change, and pedagogies of sustainability.  

The second panel discussion was on the theme ‘The Role of Global Universities in Promoting Sustainable Futures’, where key points of discussion included: “What are the challenges relating to sustainable futures that universities are confronted today?”; “What specific role can global universities play in advancing the cause of sustainable development?”; and “What ought to be the focus of universities as they assume a leadership role in educating the youth of the world and preparing them for the future?”.

He also took part in the Times Higher Education’s (THE) debate on ‘What is the power of place?’, aimed at interrogating the point of ‘place’ for universities in a hyper-connected world.

In addition, JGU signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Zurich (Universität Zürich), Switzerland. The collaboration seeks to promote mutual cooperation in higher education and research. Professor Kumar and the President of the UZH, Michael Hengartner, signed the MoU at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Caspian Week is an annual meeting point at the WEF of visionaries, market leaders and experts with a focus on the Caspian region as a vital element of the future global society and economy. The forum aims to promote interaction between the Caspian region and the world, improve cultural, political, business and scientific relations, and introduce and implement innovations and new technologies to the Caspian region.