Held in the Kerkzaal of the VU Main Building, the event brought together partners, colleagues, researchers, and students to reflect on the role of international cooperation in today’s changing world.
The day began with the festive opening of the CIS photo exhibition by Mekky Zaidi and Simbarashe Maguchu (CIS-VU), followed by inspiring remarks from Dr. Ir. Margrethe Jonkman (President of the VU Executive Board) and Dr. Denyse Snelder (Director of CIS-VU).
A series of thematic sessions explored a wide range of topics, including conflict mediation, artificial intelligence and knowledge systems, global health, food and nutrition security, and the role of universities in times of crisis. International partners from Ethiopia, Ghana, Benin, Kenya and Ukraine shared their experiences—both in person and through video contributions. The Platform for International Education (PIE) was also represented at the event by Marleen van der Kooij, executive secretary.
The afternoon focused on the future of international collaboration, featuring a keynote by Prof. Sara Kinsbergen on the evolving role of development cooperation, followed by a dynamic panel discussion with experts from Africa, Europe, and the Dutch higher education sector. The event concluded with networking and refreshments on the 15th floor of the VU Main Building.
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📷 Learn more about CIS: www.vu.nl/cis
