Dr. Merrill P. Schwartz is senior vice president for content strategy and development at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). As a member of AGB’s leadership team, she contributes to achieving the organization’s strategic goals. She is a frequent presenter at AGB and other higher education association conferences and a regular contributor to Trusteeship magazine. Previously, Dr. Schwartz served as the senior vice president of AGB Consulting, and as director of research for AGB and was responsible for conducting research on and writing about trusteeship, governance, and the academic presidency. She has also managed book projects and conferences, and served as the liaison to AGB’s Board Professionals Leadership Group, a corps of volunteers that develops professional development opportunities for members. Prior to joining AGB, Dr. Schwartz worked for almost a decade as a faculty member, director of institutional relations, and ultimately director of internships at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, a nonprofit educational organization with an experiential learning curriculum in Washington, DC.

Zhang Weihong, Ph.D from University of Liege, Belgium. He is a professor and doctoral supervisor at Northwestern Polytechnical University. He is currently the vice president of Northwestern Polytechnical University. The first “Changjiang” Scholar of the Aeronautical Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering of the Ministry of Education, China. He has won the National Outstanding Youth Science Fund. He has long been engaged in the research of mechanical design and manufacturing, and has achieved systematic innovations in the high-performance design of aerospace structures and the optimization of cutting manufacturing processes.

 He won the second prize of the National Natural Science Award and the Outstanding Contribution Award of the Asian Society of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ASSMO) (the first Chinese who won this award).

Dr. Bernardo González-Aréchiga has a degree in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and a Master in Economics from the University of Essex in England. He also holds a Doctor of Economics degree with a specialty in Economic Development from the University of Southern California. He has participated in the area of ​​research and teaching in various institutions of the public and private sector; He is the author of books and more than 60 articles published in Mexico. Academic Director of the Center for Border Studies of Northern Mexico. Director of Economic Studies of the Colegio de la Frontera Norte. Planning Director and Deputy General Director of Derivatives in the Mexican Stock Exchange, General Director of MEXDER, Coordinator of the Office of the Presidency of the Republic for Public Policies and Independent member of the Governing Board of IPAB. National Director of EGAP Government and Public Policy (Graduate School of Public Administration) at the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, a position he held for nine years. Dr. Bernardo González-Aréchiga joined the Universidad del Valle de México in early January 2013 serving as Institutional Rector.

Dr. Peter P. Laurel is the President of the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Batangas, Laguna and Davao campuses – these schools are award winning higher education institutions.  He is also an advocate of effective leadership in higher education system being the former  President of Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU). He was also a GO  Negosyo Awardee for outstanding entrepreneurship as well as a Golden Juran Awardee for  outstanding leadership in 2015. Dr Laurel was named Entrepreneur of the Year finalist for  2017 (Ernst & Young). Dr. Laurel is the current President of the Association of Universities of  Asia and the Pacific. A PhD holder in Business Management, he earned his Masters from Asian  Institute of Management and Bachelor’s Degree from the London School of Economics. He is  the Chair of Southville International School and Colleges and the Chair of the Government  Academe Industry Network (GAIN).

Professor and Dr. Li Xiaojuan completed her bachelor’s degree from the East  China Normal University in 1986 and her master’s in 1991. In 1999, she was awarded a  Ph. D. from the Institute of Remote Sensing Application, Chinese Academy of Sciences.  From 2000 to 2002, she conducted her post-doctoral research at the Center for  Environmental Sciences at the Peking University. 

Main social titles: Vice President and Secretary-General of the Geographical Society of  Beijing; Member of the China National Committee for Terms in Sciences and  Technologies; Member of the China High-resolution Earth Observation System Specialist  Committee; Editorial board member of Geo-Information Science. 

Her major research topics are related to research and teaching in Remote Sensing (RS)  and Geographic Information System (GIS). She was awarded the “Teacher of Excellence  in Beijing” in 2006. In 2008, she won the first prize of the Beijing Education Teaching  Achievements Award and the second prize of the National Higher Education Teaching  Achievements Award. She has been recognized as an advanced individual in China  National Committee for Terms in Sciences and Technologies in 2010. She has won the  first prize of the Provincial and Ministerial level Science and Technology Advancement  Award thrice in 2009, 2012 and 2016.

Dr. Heidi M. Anderson

Heidi M. Anderson, a native of Gary, Ind., assumed the presidency of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Sept. 1, 2018.

She is the 16th leader of the 1890 land-grant institution in Princess Anne that opened its doors Sept. 13, 1886 as the Delaware Conference Academy – initially under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

A three-time graduate of Purdue University in her native Indiana, Dr. Anderson came to UMES with nearly two decades of leadership experience in higher education.

“What I personally value about access, quality and opportunity – the tools that close the achievement gap – are at the core of my leadership,” she says.

She previously was chief academic policymaker at Texas A&M University-Kingsville from 2015 to 2017, where she managed a $35 million budget and directed 22 academic departments, 10 centers and institutes. She oversaw creation of new degrees in computer science, engineering and clinical mental health counseling.

She also was part of a team responsible for the design and construction of a $60 million music facility. Most recently she served as a special adviser to Texas A&M Kingsville’s president, where she was responsible for launching a plan for a new college of health sciences.

Dr. Anderson led efforts in Texas to implement credit-transfer agreements with four community colleges, increase dual-enrollment and secure funding to support student success and faculty development.

Prior to working in Texas, Dr. Anderson was chief academic policymaker at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2015.

Between 2006 and 2013, she held several positions at the University of Kentucky, including professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, assistant dean for educational innovation, associate provost for faculty affairs and vice president / associate provost for institutional effectiveness.

John Gill has been editor of Times Higher Education since March, 2012. He has previously held roles as news editor, deputy news editor and reporter with the magazine.

Dr. Martha Garcia has been serving as a Superintendent/ President for Imperial Valley College since 2018.  She previously served as Vice President for Student Services and Acting Vice President for Academic Services.  Moreover, Dr. Garcia has developed a multitude of categorically funded programs that focused on serving underrepresented students. Through her successful grant writing competence, she has secured over 20 million dollars to support the creation of innovative programs and services.   She has been employed at Imperial Valley College since 1999 and has held several positions under Student Services and Academic Services.  

Dr. Garcia earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from National University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University and an Associate’s Degree in General Major from Imperial Valley College.

Dr. Garcia is committed to making a difference for students and the community she serves.  She was honored as one of the 56th California Assembly District’s “2018 Woman of the Year,” and received the Outstanding President/Chancellor Award from California Community College Council for Staff Development in March 2020. Dr. Garcia is commended for her commitment, tenacity, and leadership to improve her community through continuous leadership efforts.

Mustafa Aydın is a Turkish academic (Professor of International Relations[1]), writer, columnist, TV commentator, and public intellectual. He served as the Rector of Kadir Has University (İstanbul, Turkey) between 2010 and 2018; and currently is the President of the International Relations Council (UIK) of Turkey.He was born in Trabzon on the Black Sea coast of Turkey on 15 September 1967, but grew up in Ankara. He graduated from the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Political Science of Ankara University in 1988. He did a master’s degree in the field of International Relations and Strategic Studies in 1991 at Lancaster University, UK, and obtained his PhD “Political Sciences and International Relations” in 1994 from the same university.Working as an academic member at the Faculty of Political Science of Ankara University between 1995 and 2005, Professor Aydın assumed the title of Associate Professor in 1999 and the Full Professor in 2005, and served as the founding-chair of the Program on “Global and Regional Studies”.

He later held positions as the Head of the Department of International Relations at the TOBB University of Economics and Technology between 2005 and 2010; Director of International Policy Research Institute (TEPAV-IPRI, Ankara) between 2005 and 2011; Co-Coordinator of the International Commission on the Black Sea; member of the Economy and Foreign Policy Study Group of the President’s Office; Board Member of the strategic research centers of both the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkish Armed Forces; Deputy Chairperson of the International Commission of Eminent Persons on the Caucasus and Caspian (2007-2008); Alexander S. Onassis Fellow at the University of Athens (2003); Research Fellow at the EU Institute for Security Studies, Paris (2003); Fulbright Scholar at the JFK School of Government, Harvard University (2002); and UNESCO Fellow at the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, UK (1999).He is an elected member of European Academy of Sciences and Art; elected member of the Senate of the Euro-Mediterranean University[disambiguation needed]; member of the Governing Council of the World Council for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES), OECD International Management of Higher Education Program, European Leadership Network, Global Relations Forum, and International Studies Association.

Randy C. Frisch was named President of City University of Seattle effective October 1, 2016. Prior to the appointment, President Frisch served for three years as the Vice Chancellor of Business and Administration for National University System. In this role, President Frisch provided leadership as its Chief Financial Officer and directed business operations for the areas of finance, human resources, facilities, and financial aid. For National University System, he had responsibility for business development and investment management and as in-house counsel with responsibility for legal matters. President Frisch continues his legal role with National University System.

Prior to joining National University System, President Frisch was with the San Diego Business Journal, where he served as President and Publisher for three years. Before joining the Journal, President Frisch established the Law Offices of Randy C. Frisch, a general business employment and labor law firm in San Diego.

Previously, President Frisch served as the Vice President, Operations and Information Technology and Chief Financial Officer for the San Diego-Union Tribune. He also served as the Chief Operating Officer, Editorial Page Editor, and General Manager of the Salt Lake Tribune. His career in the newspaper industry began with the Tribune Publishing Company of Idaho, where he was a reporter, editor, and publisher.

President Frisch has been actively involved in the community and has served as Chairman and President of San Diego Habitat for Humanity. He also has served on the Board of Directors of several organizations, including San Diego-Imperial County American Red Cross, the Neighborhood House, United Way of San Diego, YMCA of San Diego County, and the ESET Foundation. He was a member of Rotary International, Club 33, and is now a member of Seattle Club 4.

Jiang Hongxin , a PhD of Literature at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,  distinguished professor, PhD supervisor, Chairman of Hunan Normal UniversityCouncil,  a member of Academia Europaea, a member of Discipline Reviewing Group of the State  Council, reviewer of the National Fund for Social Sciences, Associate Director of the  Foreign Languages and Literature Teaching Guiding Committee and Director of English  Teaching Guiding Committee for the Higher Education Institutions that are affiliated  with the Ministry of Education, Associate Director of China’s Master of Interpreting and  Translation (MTI), Director of the Evaluation Committee of China’s Translation  Professional Qualification (Level) Examination and Higher Education Teaching  Committee, a member of the Foreign Language Expert Committee of the Teaching  Materials Committee, a member of China’s Council of BRICS Think Tank Cooperation  that is affiliated with the International Liaison Department of CCCPC, Presidentof  National English Literature Association, a winner of the New Century Excellent Talents  Program supported by the Ministry of Education, supported expert by the Special  Government Allowances of the State Council. 

Jiang Hongxin has been conducted research in the fields of British and American  literature, translation theory and practice, and higher education. He has led and completed  over 20 projects of national major bidding projects for Social Science Fundings at  national & provincial levels. Entrusted by the Ministry of Education,he has gathered  experts from China and abroad to develop the Standards for English Teaching Quality of  Undergraduate Education. He has published hundreds of articles in authoritative journals  at home and abroad. He has also authored dozens of academic monographs, textbooks,  and translation works like Study of Ezra Pound, Approaching the Four Quartets – Study  of the Poetry Art of T.S.Eliot, Meanings of College, etc. He has been granted a number of  Teaching Achievement Awards at national and provincial levels.

Dr. Carl I. Jubran is founding President of the American College in Southern France (ACM-American College of the Mediterranean) in the city of Aix en Provence. ACM is a liberal arts college with campuses in France, Spain and Morocco. From 2012-2016 he served as President of the Institute for American Universities, a study abroad college founded in 1957 by American diplomats in France. From 2001 to 2011 Dr. Jubran was a tenured professor in linguistics and Vice Provost at the University of San Diego where he led the university’s internationalization efforts. He holds two masters degrees in history and literature from New York University and the Sorbonne in Paris. He also holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of California, San Diego. He is fluent in Arabic, French Spanish and English. His research interests and publications include Mediterranean Studies, post colonial studies and the relationship between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Dr. Jubran has worked extensively on several International Boards and organizations such as the World Affairs Council, NAFSA, the Forum and is currently the President of the AAICU (The Association of American International Colleges and Universities).

Post-doctorate in Education at Max-Planck Institute – Berlin/Germany; 1982-1983 PHD in Education, The Pennsylvania State University – USA; 1973-1975 Master in Education, The Pennsylvania State University – USA; 1972-1973 Degree in Education, University of Brasilia; 1969 

Bachelor in Library Science, Catholic University of Campinas; 1963 

Former Coordinator of the Institutional Evaluation Programme of the Brazilian Universities – PAIUB/SESU/MEC (Ministry of Education); 1993-1994 

Visiting Scholar – University of Michigan; 1994 

Former Coordinator of the Unesco Chair on Distance Education – University of Brasilia; 1994-1999 

Former Professor of the Universities of Brasilia and the University of Campinas; Member of the Executive Committee of IAUP (International Association of University  Presidents) and President of the Brazilian Chapter; 2011 – current 

Full Member of the Club of Rome; 2004 – current 

Member of the Penn State Global Advisory Council; 2017 – current 

Member of the Deliberative Committee of the Council of Rectors of Brazilian Universities – CRUB; 2017 – current 

President of the Technical Education Chamber of the Council of Economic, Sustainable and  Strategic Development of the Federal District – CODESE; 2017 – current Member of the Council of Remarkable Women of the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs of  the Federal District of Fecomércio / DF; 2019 – current. 

Member of the Council of Notables of the Education Department of the Federal District;  2019 – current. 

Co-author of the book “High Performance Entrepreneurs – Brasília” – Leader Publishing  Company

PRIZES AND AWARDS 

✔ Medal “Navy Friend” to distinguished personalities, in recognition of the relevant  services rendered to the Brazilian Navy, 2021. 

✔ Trophy “Woman Highlighted 2019” by the Institute of Brazilian Culture – ICB, for the  relevant work in support of brasiliense society , 2019. 

✔ Motion of Praise granted by the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation,  Women’s Secretariat, Secretariat of Culture of the Federal District and Brazilian  Association of International and Government Relations (Abrig) in honor of “Exponent  Women: Technology, Culture, Ethics and Transparency “, 2019. 

✔ Motion of Praise granted by the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District, on the  proposal of Julia Lucy, for example of acting and competence in a still unequal  market between men and women, as well as dedicating her life to the struggle for  gender parity, 2019 

✔ Myrthes Gomes de Campos Medal in honor of the International Women’s Day,  awarded by the OAB / DF, honoring lawyers and other women with effective action in  the legal environment of the Federal District and National, highlighting the rights and  interests of women, their prerogatives and in the valuation of women who work  before the Brazilian Judiciary, 2019 

✔ Medal Partner of the School of Government of the Federal District, in recognition of a  relevant process with the objective of contributing to the strengthening of schools in  the Federal District, and through volunteer work and solidarity action, 2018 

✔ Motion of Praise granted by the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District, on the  proposal of Celina Leão, for the relevant services rendered in front of the Institution  in its 20 years of existence, 2018 

✔ Medal of Electoral Merit of the Federal District in the category of Collaborator, as  recognition for its merits and relevant services rendered to the Electoral Justice of  the Federal District, 2018 

✔ Degree of Commander of the Council of the Order of Commercial Merit granted by  the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the Federal District – 2016 

✔ Distinguished Woman Award 2014 – Soroptimist 

✔ Honoris Causa Doctorate from Caucasus University, Tbilisi, Georgia, 2013 ✔ Commendation of the Order of Merit – Dom Bosco, Grão Colar, Superior Court of  Labour, DF, 2011 

✔ Commendation by the Order of Merit of the Labor Court, 2009 

✔ Commendation by the Order of Merit of the Federal District, Brasilia, Public  Prosecutor´s Office; 2009

✔ Woman Award, 2008 – awarded by Pro Art Brasília – Medal Maria Ignez Witt  ✔ Order of the Pioneer, Brasília, 2007 

✔ Distinguished Alumna 2004 – Pennsylvania State University – USA – 2004; ✔ National Distinction – International Academy of Culture, 2004 

✔ Professional of the Year Award, 2004 

✔ Woman of the Year in Education, International Academy of Culture, 2004 ✔ Role Model Woman Award, Labor Secretariat of Federal District, 2003 ✔ Honorary Citizen for achievements in Education, Brasilia, 2003 

✔ Distinguished Citizen of Brasília – 2003; 

✔ Vanguard Woman Prize, Association of Businesswomen of the Federal District, 2002 ✔ Woman Award, 2002 – Association of Business Women and Professionals of  Brasília – 2002; 

✔ Award for contributions in ‘OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN PRACTICE  AWARD”, Educational Association for Communication and Technology, 2001 ✔ Award of Excellence offered by the Educational Association for Communication and  Technology – USA – 1998; 

✔ Distinguished Citizen of Arapongas,Paraná, 1975

Pam Fredman served as Rector of the University of Gothenburg from 2006 until 2017. She is a Professor of Neurochemistry and has held several leading positions within the University, for example as Dean of the faculty of medicine at the University of Gothenburg – the Sahlgrenska Academy. Pam Fredman was the head of the University and its principal representative. Over the years, she has been active in a large number of scientific and scholarly contexts. Pam Fredman has for example been Chair of the European Society of Neurochemistry and she is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA. Since 2016, Pam Fredmam is the President of the International Association of Universities.

Prof Zeblon Zenzele Vilakazi is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the  Witwatersrand. He joined Wits University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and  Postgraduate Affairs in 2014. His previous appointments include Group Executive for  Research and Development at the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) in  2011, while also serving as the Director of iThemba LABS – a position he has held since  January 2007. He also holds an Honorary Professorship in the Department of Physics at  the University of Cape Town (UCT). 

Vilakazi has served as a chairman of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Standing  Advisory Committee on Nuclear Applications from 2009 to 2011. He is a member of the  Programme Advisory Committee for Nuclear Physics at the Joint Institute for Nuclear  Research in Russia and a member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics  Working Group for Nuclear Physics. In 2010, he was nominated by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and is a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. He  has more than 300 refereed articles in Nuclear and High Energy Physics and is a regular  invitee for talks and presentations at leading international conferences and seminars.

Priit Reiska is former acting rector of Tallinn University, Estonia. He has been 12 years vice rector for academic affairs and professor for science education in Tallinn University. He has worked earlier as physics teacher at school, laboratory assistant in university, researcher and senior researcher. 

Professor Reiska has graduated in Tallinn University as physics teacher in 1993. He defended his PhD in science education at the University of Kiel, Germany in 1999. After that in 2002 he finished at University of Kiel his post graduate studies (habilitation). 

Professor Reiska has got during his academic carrier different research grants (Fulbright grant in University of West Florida and University of California LA, DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst) grant in University of Kiel, British Council grant) and different Estonian research funding. 

Professor Reiska has got award in University of Kiel for the best dissertation in 1999 in the Faculty of Educational Sciences. 

Professor Reiska is a member in different organizations (National Science Teachers Association, Council of Estonian Pedagogical Archive Museum, National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Tallinn Science and Technology Center Foundation, Estonian Academic Society of Pedagogy, International Association of Science and Technology Education, Tallinn University Senate, Estonian national council of physics education, European Science Education Research Association, Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, etc).

José Vicente Saz Pérez (Madrid, 1959) has been Rector of the University of Alcalá since 2018. He holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery (1982), is a specialist in microbiology and parasitology (Medical Internship, Hospital de La Paz), and obtained his doctorate in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Alcalá (1985), where he has lectured for almost thirty years, as Full Professor since 2016.  

Between 2009 and 2015, he practised medicine as a Microbiologist and Parasitologist in a post tied to the Prince of Asturias University Hospital. Since then, he has led the Microbiology and Parasitology unit.  

His research has focused on zoonosis, particularly on emergent viral diseases transmitted by rodents and arthropods, as well as on the diagnosis of brucellosis and tuberculosis. His achievements have led to the award of three six-year research assessments by the National Research Activity Assessment Committee. 

His teaching activity has earned him six positive five-year assessments. He has lectured in medicine at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, was director of the MA in Senior Health Service Management and Business Management (Regional Health Department and University of Alcalá, 2006-2010), coordinated the university’s doctoral course in Microbiology and Parasitology (1990-1992), and led the doctoral course in Health Sciences (2009-2010).  

As for academic management at the University of Alcalá, he has been Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Vice-Rector of Academic Planning and Faculty, Vice-Rector of Teaching and Students, Vice-Rector of Teaching and Research Staff, and, since 2018, Rector. 

He has been awarded the Cross for Military Service with white badge, and the Silver Medal of the University of Alcalá.

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, with com laude honors and a specialization on Archeology, from UV; a Master’s degree on Art History and Archeology from University of Paris I – Sorbonne; PhD in Anthropology with an honorable mention from UNAM. 

She has more than 100 national and international publications. 

She has been a member of the National System of Researchers uninterruptedly since 1993; currently, she is at Level II. 

She was a substitute to the President of the Anthropology Council at the National Institute of Anthropology and History since 1996 to 2005, since then she has served as an external evaluator.

In 2007, she received INAH´s Popularization of Science Award to the best publication for her book Hombres y dioses de El Tajín (Men and gods of El Tajín). 

She received the acknowledgment “Mujer Veracruzana 2008” (Best Woman from Veracruz 2008) from the Legislature and the Government of the State of Veracruz. 

She was the Director of the Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa (1995-1997 and 2005-2013). 

She was Provost of Academic Affairs at Universidad Veracruzana (1997-2001). 

Currently, she is the President of Universidad Veracruzana.

Dr. Villanueva earned his B.A and Master’s degrees in Law at the Universidad de Guadalajara, with specialization in Justice Management and Public Security. He also holds a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from the Universidad de Salamanca, Spain. He completed postdoctoral studies at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, focusing on: “The University in the light of training new generations”.

During his professional career, Dr. Villanueva has held different positions in the Jalisco’s State Government such as on the State Judiciary Electoral Court, Head of Guadalajara’s City Council Office, Secretary of the Ministry of Planning, Administration and Finance of Jalisco, and Town Councilor for the Guadalajara City Council, among others.

He is a full-time professor at the Universidad de Guadalajara and has been honored as a member of the Professional Development Faculty Program of the Ministry of Public Education. Dr. Villanueva has conducted numerous research projects and participated in the writing of more than 23 books. At the Universidad de Guadalajara he has also held several adminstrative positions, including President of the Student Federation, Chief Heritage Officer, Chief University Services Officer, and Chancellor of the Tonalá University Center. In February 2019, he was appointed President of the Universidad de Guadalajara for the 2019-2025 period.

Prof. Dr. Gulsun Saglamer, Former Rector of Istanbul Technical University (1996-2004) is a professor of architecture at Istanbul Technical University. She graduated from Istanbul Technical University with a Master of Architecture degree in 1967 and received her PhD from the same university in 1973. She became Associate Professor in 1977, Full Professor in 1987 at ITU. She taught Architectural Design, Computer Aided Architectural Design, Logic Model of Design, Architectural Design Methods and Theories at ITU since 1973 until she retired in 2012. 

She carried out her post-doctoral studies at the Martin Centre, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, UK 1975-1976. She was a member of the Scientific Committee of TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) INTAG between 1990 and 1996. Prof Sağlamer was invited to Queen’s University of Belfast as a Visiting Professor between 1993 and 1996 and was also invited to be an external examiner at the same university for four years between 1999 and 2003. She is a member of the Editorial Boards of “Open House International”, “International Journal for Housing Science and Its Applications”. 

She was a Board Member of EUA (European University Association) (2005-2009) and a member of the Steering Committee of the EUA’s Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) (2009-2013), a chair of evaluation teams in IEP evaluations since 2011 and a member of the Research Policy Working Group of EUA since its establishment in 2005. She is an Executive Committee Member (2003-) of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) and the President of CMU (Community of Mediterranean Universities) (2012- ), the Chair of European Women Rectors Platform since 2010 and the founding Board member and President of the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) since September 2015. 

She was invited to the Marie Curie People Programme (EC) Advisory Group for three terms: 2006-2008, 2008-2010 and 2010-2012 and has been the Chair of the Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions Advisory Group in Horizon 2020 since 2013. She was invited to the” Expert Working Group on The External Research Funding of Universities”, established by the EC (2007-2008). She was a member of the Steering Committee of the OECD/IMHE Quality Teaching Project (2009-2012). She was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Kadir Has University (2006-2014) and the President of the Council for Technology and Technoparks in Turkey (2006-2010). She is the Founder and a Board Member of ITU’s Technology Park and Incubation Centre, ARI Techno-City and a Board Member of ITU Development Foundation (2009-) and a founding Board member of Global Relations Forum (GRF) since 2009. 

She has established a research group on “Doctoral Education in Architecture” and co-authored the book titled “Doctoral Education in Architecture” by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015. She has given over 80 keynote speeches and invited lectures on architecture and different aspects of higher education (such as research policy, doctoral education, innovation, quality assurance, quality enhancement, autonomy, funding) at international meetings. 

She has received several architectural prizes and was awarded Honoris Causa by Carleton University, Canada (2001), Universitatea de Nord Din Baia Mare University, Romania (2002) and Ovidius University of Constantza in Romania (2009). American Institute of Architects (AIA) awarded her “Honorary Fellowship (Hon FAIA) in 2006 and she has been also awarded “Leonardo da Vinci Medal” by SEFI (Société Européenne Pour la Formation Ingénieurs-European Society for Engineering Education) in 2005-2006. She is a member of European Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters since 2011. Prof Saglamer is a Founding member and a Board Member of Global Relations Forum. She has been a member of the Selection Committee for Fulbright Prize 2014 and the Chair of the Selection Committee of the Vehbi Koç Educational Prize, 2015. 

Dr. Devorah Lieberman, the University of La Verne’s 18th and first female president, brings more than 30 years of higher education experience, scholarship, and leadership to the institution. Since taking office in 2011, she has contributed to the well-being of the university’s students, the scholarly activity of the faculty, and the vitality of the surrounding community while also advocating for engagement, inclusivity, and respect among all.

Lieberman is dedicated to three values: educating and cultivating future leaders, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and leading by example with integrity.

Under her leadership, the University of La Verne launched the La Verne Experience (LVE), a curriculum where students connect deeply with each other, with faculty, with staff, and with the greater community. Through the La Verne Experience, students “major in a mission.”

Additionally, President Lieberman is leading the university’s efforts to better serve underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation students. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, the University of La Verne’s student body reflects the demographic and socio-economic diversity of Southern California.

Throughout her career, she has brought national recognition to the institutions with which she has been associated. This includes receiving the American Council of Education (ACE) Bringing the World into the Classroom award, the Washington Center Higher Education Civic Engagement Award, and the TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Excellence.

Lieberman is president of the executive committee of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities. She was named President of the Year in 2015 by the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) for supporting an inclusive and engaged campus community. She is one of 13 national scholars invited to participate in the Project on the Future of Higher Education; was named the 2000 Oregon Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; and received the 1999 Distinguished Faculty Award from the Portland State Alumni Association. While chairing the statewide Board of Directors for the Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement (OCHA), Lieberman received OCHA’s 1995 Si Se Puede Award and its 1998 Amistad Award, as well as the 2003 Las Mujeres de la Raza Award from the Portland State students and the City of Portland.

Dr. Amine Bensaid is a university professor and President of Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane since November 2019. He served as president of Mundiapolis University in Casablanca between 2011 and 2019, and as Chairman of the Board of the Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (the Fulbright Commission in Morocco) between 2017 and 2020.  He holds a B.S. in Information Systems, an M.S. in Computer Engineering and a Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of South Florida (USF).  He’s held research assignments at the Technical University of Delft and Carnegie Mellon University.  He was a faculty member at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI), Morocco, from 1995 to 2009, where he served as department chair, dean of engineering, then VP for Academic Affairs and Research.  He was a UNDP expert on quality assurance (2002-2007).  As a computer scientist, his research and publications have been in the areas of fuzzy pattern recognition, data mining and Arabic Computing.  He served as Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics from 1999 to 2010, and as advisor to the Chairman and CEO of MAScIR – a Moroccan institute devoted to market-driven research and technology.  His current interests focus on the role of higher education for employability and thriving of millennials in the fast-changing 21st century world.   Amine is a Fulbright Scholar a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Tau Beta Pi honor societies. 

Professor Peter Mathieson MBBS(Hons)(London), PhD(Cambridge), FRCP(London), FRCPE, FMedSci, FRSE assumed the office of Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh in February 2018.

Peter Mathieson was born and educated in the United Kingdom. He went to a state grammar school in Penzance, Cornwall and was the first member of his family to go to university. He read Medicine at the London Hospital Medical College and qualified with First Class Honours from the University of London in 1983. After junior medical posts in London, he obtained a research training fellowship from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to study at the University of Cambridge. He was awarded a PhD by the University of Cambridge in 1992. He became Director of Studies for Clinical Medicine at Christ’s College, Cambridge following his PhD. After a further MRC fellowship he moved to Bristol in 1995 as the foundation Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Bristol and Honorary Consultant Nephrologist, North Bristol NHS Trust. In 1999, he was elected to Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. In 2021 he was elected as Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

In 2007, Peter became Head of the University Department of Clinical Science at North Bristol, was appointed as Director of Research & Development for the North Bristol NHS Trust, and was elected President of the Renal Association (the UK’s national speciality association for nephrologists and renal scientists) in a competitive ballot of the membership, being the youngest President in its history. He served the full three year term as President and remained a Trustee for a further two years as Immediate Past-President.

In 2008 Peter was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol, serving most of a sixth year after his initial five year term. He played a major role in the formation of Bristol Health Partners from 2008 onwards and was appointed as its founding Director in May 2012, a role he undertook alongside that of Dean. He remains an Honorary Professor of Medicine at the University of Bristol.

In April 2014, Peter assumed office as the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), a post he held until January 2018. He remains an Honorary Professor of Medicine in the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at HKU.

In 2011 he was awarded honorary life membership of the Australian & New Zealand Society of Nephrology. In March 2015 he was awarded Honorary Fellowship of Hughes Hall, Cambridge and in October 2016 Honorary Fellowship of Hong Kong College of Physicians.

Mr. Cipriano Sánchez García, L.C., is of Spanish and Mexican nationality, he was born in Talavera de la Reina, Spain in the year 1958. He is a member of the Legion of Christ since 1975 and was ordained a priest in Rome in 1988.

He studied a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, specializing in Philosophical Anthropology at the Universidad Gregoriana of Rome, Italy; Master’s degree in Theology from the Universidad Pontificia Sto. Tomás de Aquino, also in Rome and a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the Universidad Anáhuac México Sur with the thesis: “Participation according to Karol Wojtyla, anthropology for the community in postmodern society.” He also has a certificate course in Classical Humanities at the Centro de Humanidades y Ciencias of Salamanca, Spain.

Within the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi, he has held different positions. He was Prefect of studies at the Centro Vocacional Legionarios in Ontaneda, Spain, from 1979 to 1983; Vice President of the Centro Vocacional de los Legionarios de Cristo in Moncada, Valencia from 1988 to 1989; member of the Comité Doctrinal Territorial de México de la Legíon between 1991 and 2007; he is a member of the Comisión de Estudios y Formación Permanente de los Legionarios since 2014; assistant of the prefecture of Studies of the Estudios del Territorio de México from 1992 to 2009; Director of adult sections of Regnum Christi in southern Mexico City from 1990 to 2004, and Director of the ladies section from 2004 to 2007 in the western part of Mexico City.

Also, Fr. Cipriano Sánchez has deep knowledge of the subject of the family, which has led him to occupy various responsibilities. He is Director of the CENYELIZTLI, A.C., Unidos por la Familia foundation, dedicated to promoting the family with a social responsibility orientation, since 2006.

In 2009, he was the organizer of the World Meeting of Families in Mexico City and hosted the weekly radio program Hombre nuevo edificando a la familia, in 1030 AM, from 2004 to 2013, from Grupo Radio Centro. In addition, he has been a collaborator in religious and values subjects in different programs in Televisión Azteca since 1999.

Telecommunication Engineer from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (1991).  During the years 1993-1997, the European Particle Physics Laboratory (CERN) granted  him a “Doctoral Student” scholarship to carry out his doctoral thesis in the electronics  and data acquisition group of the ATLAS experiment. Ph.D. in Telecommunication 

Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) (1997). Since 2003 he is Full-Professor at the UPV in the area of Electronic Engineering. 

His research work is carried out in the Institute of Instrumentation for Molecular Imaging  (Mixed Center UPV-CSIC), being his field of research the design of data acquisition  systems for high energy physics and electronic instrumentation for medical physics,  specialty in which he has published a large number of scientific papers in international  journals and conferences. 

He has held several management roles within the UPV, including being the vice-rector  for international exchange, vice-rector of economic coordination and planning and vice rector of planning and innovation.  

Besides, he was vice-president ofspanish universities rector´s conference and from 2008  is vice-president of the spanish network of science and technology parks (APTE). 

Prof. Mora was Rector of UPV from June 2013 to June 2021.

Antonio Leaño Reyes is a prominent educator who has dedicated his life to  promote and develop the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG), the  first private university in Mexico, founded in 1935. During his long career he has  held several leadership roles at the University and, since 2005, he occupies  the University President’s position. During his tenure as President he has  transformed and renovated the university’s management model through  adopting a corporate governance model. 

He holds a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Autonoma  de Guadalajara and a Master´s degree in Management from the University of  Arizona: he also holds a degree in Public Administration from the University of  Alcalá de Henares, Spain. He has received awards from several academic associations as well as from  business organizations. In 2009 he was awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris  Causa from the Universidad Ricardo Palma in Lima, Peru. Also this June 2014  he received in Washington from the American Academy of Hospitality  Sciences (AAHS) the Lifetime Five Star Diamond Achievement Award for his  valuable contribution to the Latin Community in the United States. In 2014 he  awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from Caucasus University in  Georgia.

Dr. Chen was born in China. As an advocate of lifelong learning, Dr. Chen’s educational career has lasted for over 35 years. Dr. Shawn Chen is the Founder and the Chairman of the Board of Sias University. He also served as the Former President, and current Board Member of the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP). 

In 1998, Dr. Chen founded Sias University, an innovative educational institution through which students, leaders, and scholars from East and West can meet and profit from an exchange of ideas expressed in both Chinese and English. 

As Founder / Chairman of the University, Dr. Chen is solely responsible for financing, planning, implementation, and assessment of the university’s overall operations. He is an Economic Advisor to Chongqing and Henan Province and also a Cultural ambassador between China and U.S. 

To help introduce more Silicon Valley successful innovation and incubation experiences as well as advanced management system to China, Dr. Chen co-founded Plug and Play (China). PnP (China) has established incubation centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Zhengzhou, to provide further support for China’s science technology development.

Marek Kręglewski is full professor at Faculty of Chemistry of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan (Poland). His research covers theoretical chemistry and quantum chemical calculation, high resolution molecular spectroscopy and computer tools for spectroscopy. He visited or work for several research institutions in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France and Germany. He was awarded a Humboldt fellowship for his 2-years stay at the university of Kiel in Germany and had a three years contract as visiting professor at the University of Lille in France.

Throughout his professional career, he has held various academic positions being vice-rector for 9 years, Secretary General of the Conference of Polish Universities Rectors. For 20 years he holds a position of Director of the Interuniversity Centre for Informatics, a consortium of 80 Polish HEI.

For 30 years he serves in governing bodies of a Civil Education Society, the biggest non-governmental organisation in the area of education – a founder of over 200 schools in Poland.

Since 2015 professor Kręglewski is the President of the Compostela Group of Universities (CGU), where he previously served as Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee.

Dr. Adela de la Torre is the first woman and first Latina to serve as a permanently appointed  president of San Diego State University. President de la Torre joined SDSU in June 2018 after a  distinguished career within the California State University system, the University of Arizona and  the University of California, Davis. 

An accomplished economist, public health researcher and higher education leader for more than  three decades, President de la Torre is known for her authenticity and collaborative approach to  leading by listening and example. 

Since arriving at SDSU, President de la Torre has focused on significantly expanding the campus  through SDSU Mission Valley; growing the university’s research enterprise; expanding SDSU  and SDSU Imperial Valley degree access; and launching the university’s new 5-year strategic  plan.  

Through President de la Torre’s leadership, SDSU has recorded far reduced equity gaps for  underrepresented minority students and Pell grant recipients along with improved student and  employee diversity. Her tenure is also marked by improved graduation rates across all student  categories, with the 6-year rate having increased substantially to nearly 79% for the most recent  student cohort. 

The university has also seen significant growth in philanthropy and research grants during  President de la Torre’s tenure, ensuring that SDSU enhances its reputation as a leading public  research university. Gift commitments to SDSU totaled more than $127.2 million in the 2019-20  fiscal year, an increase of nearly 10% from the previous year despite an economic downturn  from the COVID-19 pandemic. That same year, SDSU researchers received $144.4 million in  external grant funding, one of the highest totals in university history.  

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, President de la Torre is the granddaughter of  Mexican immigrants and daughter of a single mother who taught public school for 40 years. She  holds a deep appreciation for cultural traditions, the importance of family and hard work and for  the transformative power of education.  

Throughout her academic career, President de la Torre has advanced the values of inclusion,  equity, and achievement, focusing on the support that students and faculty need to be highly  successful in their chosen fields. With her wide-ranging experience and achievements, President 

de la Torre has brought a global perspective to the SDSU presidency, building on the university’s  unique leadership role in bridging the region’s diverse communities. 

Before her arrival at SDSU, President de la Torre was vice chancellor for Student Affairs and  Campus Diversity at University of California, Davis. She also served for 14 years as director for  the UC Davis Center for Transnational Health, chair of the UC Davis Chicana/Chicano Studies  Department and director of the Hispanic Center of Excellence in the College of Medicine at the  University of Arizona, where she was also director of the Mexican American Studies and  Research Center. 

Formerly a professor at California State University, Long Beach, the University of Arizona, and  UC Davis, where she was the first Latina to rise to the rank of Distinguished Professor, President  de la Torre earned her bachelor’s degree in the political economy of natural resources from the  University of California, Berkeley. She also received her master’s degree and Ph.D. in  agricultural and resource economics from UC Berkeley.

Sue Cunningham is president and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), which supports more than 3,600 schools, colleges and universities worldwide in developing their alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing operations in order to advance their institutions. As CASE president and CEO, she provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the largest associations of education-related institutions in the world with members in more than 80 countries. She became president of CASE in March, 2015.

Cunningham engaged CASE and thousands of its volunteers in a comprehensive strategic planning process resulting in Reimagining CASE: 2017- 2021, an ambitious and comprehensive framework for serving CASE’s members and championing education worldwide. This volunteer and member engagement extends into a comprehensive effort to refine CASE’s governance structure to more effectively support CASE’s global reach and service to members.

Under her leadership CASE acquired the Voluntary Support of Education survey and created AMAtlas. CASE has reinvigorated its global advocacy agenda and is engaged in reviews of the curriculum across all advancement disciplines and an update of CASE’s management and reporting standards and guidelines, which operate as the industry-leading set of standards. She is most proud of CASE’s efforts to diversify the advancement professions and CASE’s commitment to talent management, within the organization and across CASE’s membership.

Cunningham serves on the steering committee of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, is a member of the Council of Higher Education Management Associations, the International Women’s Foundation, and serves on the fundraising committee for the Aurora Foundation.

Prior to CASE, she served as vice-principal for advancement at the University of Melbourne and as the director of development for the University of Oxford. She served as director of development at Christ Church, Oxford, and as director of external relations at St. Andrews University.

She is an honorary fellow of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a recipient of the CASE Europe Distinguished Service Award, and is a CASE Crystal Apple Award recipient. She holds a master’s degree from Oxford University and a bachelor’s degree in performing arts from Middlesex University.

Tomás D. Morales was appointed president of CSU San Bernardino in May 2012. He is the university’s fourth president since it opened in 1965. Previously, Morales had been president of the College of Staten Island, The City University of New York (CUNY), since 2007.

From 2001 to 2007, Morales served in various capacities at Cal Poly Pomona, including as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, vice president for Student Affairs,  and professor of education. Prior to joining CPP, Morales was vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Students at The City College of New York/CUNY from 1994 to 2001. From 1992 to 1994, Morales was assistant dean of the School of Education at the State University of New York (SUNY), New Paltz.

His lifelong dedication to improving the access and quality of public higher education has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Distinguished Leader in Education award from Education Update; the Lifetime Achievement Award in Education from the New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc.; Effective Leadership Golden Age Award from the Latino Center on Aging; Latino Trendsetter Award at the United Nations; the IMAGEN Certificate Award from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; the Professional Achievement Award from Boricua College; the Hispanic Leadership Award from the Boy Scouts of America; the Outstanding Leadership in the Service of Youth Award by the National Honor Society at Susan E. Wagner High School; and the Louis R. Miller Award from the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and Staten Island Advance.

Born in the Pazar sub-province of Rize in 1965, schooled at Pazar Sivritepe Village Primary School, Pazar Secondary School and Pazar High School. Professor Şahin graduated from the Department of Geodesy and Photogrammetry (Geomatics) Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, İstanbul Technical University in 1987 at the top of his class.

Professor Şahin received his master’s degree from University College London in 1991, and his PhD degree from University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1994. He started his academic career in 1988 as a Research Fellow in the Department of Surveying Techniques at Istanbul Technical University and advanced through the ranks of assistant professor and associate professor. In 2002, he became a tenured Professor in the Department of Surveying Techniques at Istanbul Technical University. He was a short-term visiting fellow at Graz Technical University in 1997 and at Berlin Technical University in 2000.

During the years 1996-2004 at Istanbul Technical University, he assumed several administrative positions such as Advisor to the Rector, Director of the School of Foreign Languages, Chairman of the Department of Surveying Techniques, and Coordinator for the Graduate Program in Advanced Technologies.

Professor Şahin is a member of various national and international engineering societies and he has 14 international SCI articles and 73 international papers.

Hans de Wit is Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Fellow of the ‘Center for International Higher Education’ (CIHE) at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College, USA, a leading global research center on higher education in the global environment. He was its director, 2015-2020.   

Before, he was Director of the ‘Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation’ (CHEI) at the Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy, and Professor of Internationalization of Higher Education at the Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences. He was Vice-President for International Affairs of the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1996-2003.

He is a Senior Fellow of the International Association of Universities (IAU), and chair of the Board of Directors of World Education Services in New York/Toronto. He is founding member and past president of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), founding Editor of the ‘Journal of Studies in International Education’ (SAGE), consulting Editor of the  journal Policy Reviews in Higher Education, and Associate Editor of International Higher Education. 

He publishes a blog in University World News, www.universityworldnews.com.  He has (co)written books and articles on international education and is actively involved in assessment and consultancy in international education, for organisations like the European Commission, UNESCO, World Bank, IAU, and the European Parliament.

Dr. Allan E. Goodman is the sixth President of the Institute of International Education.  IIE promotes the exchange of scholars and students, rescues scholars, students, and artists from persecution, displacement, and crises, conducts research on international academic mobility, and administers the Fulbright program sponsored by the United States Department of State, as well as over 200 other corporate, government and privately-sponsored programs.

Dr. Goodman is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a founding member of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), and serves on the selection committees for the Rhodes and Schwarzman Scholars and the WISE and Yidan Prizes.  He also serves on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation International Quality Group Advisory Council and the Board of Trustees of the Education Above All Foundation.  Dr. Goodman has a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard, an M.P.A. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government and a B.S. from Northwestern University.  He received decorations for his work in promoting educational exchange and scholar rescue from the governments of France, Germany, and Norway; he received the first Gilbert Medal from the Universitas 21 Organisation. 

Rodrigo Guerra was born in Monterrey, México. He graduated from the Tecnológico de Monterrey  as Chemical Engineer with a minor degree in Administration. 

In 1965, he joined IBM México Sales Force and developed a 10 years career as Salesman, Account  Manager and Branch Manager. In 1977 was appointed Director of Administration and Corporate  Services, and in 1980 President and CEO of IBM México, job held until March 1995. 

In April 1995, he retired from IBM and in September that year was named President and CEO of  AT&T Latin America and Caribbean based in Florida; in 1997, he was appointed International Vice  President Operations Support. 

In 1998, he retired from AT&T and became Treasurer and later General Director of CCE, (Mexican  Private Enterprise Coordination Council); in 1999, he was appointed Executive President of CETRO,  a Private Trust to Support Small and Mid-size Companies across Mexico. 

In September 2001, he was appointed President of Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey,  México, position he held until July 2012; in September that year, he was appointed Secretary  General of FIMPES an Organization that Promotes and Accredits Higher Education Quality for its 112 Universities with an enrollment close to 800 thousand students. In addition, FIMPES lobby in  Congress and in the Federal Education Department on behalf of the interests and rights of the  Private Mexican Higher Education Institutions. 

Mr. Guerra, has occupated high level positions in Company Boards, Trusts, Chambers, Associations  and ONGs, such as: Banamex, IBM México, AGA de México, ROLM, Sidek, Maxcom, AMCHAM,  ANIERM, Tecnológico de Monterrey, ORT University and others. 

Mr. Guerra has been professor at the Business Schools in Universidad Anáhuac, Tecnológico de  Monterrey and Universidad Regiomontana.

Jamienne S. Studley became President of WSCUC, a US and international accreditor of higher education institutions at the bachelor’s and graduate level, in 2018 to pursue her commitment to student success and equity. 

Jamie served with the US Department of Education as deputy undersecretary, acting undersecretary, acting general counsel, and chair of NACIQI (National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality & Integrity) during the Clinton and Obama Administrations. Her higher education experience includes President of Skidmore College; Associate Dean & Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School; national policy advisor to Beyond12, and adjunct faculty member at Mills College and Stanford and UC Berkeley Law Schools. She was also president of the civil rights advocacy group Public Advocates Inc. and executive director of the National Association for Law Placement. 

A graduate of Barnard College and Harvard Law School, she has chaired the SF Ethics Commission,  California Civil Rights Coalition and Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, been a board member of AAC&U and the American Craft Council among many others, and serves now on the boards of KQED and the Foundation for Student Success. WSCUC is a member of the Quality Beyond Borders Group of international higher education quality assurance agencies.

Marja-Liisa Tenhunen Ph.D(Econ.) has held the position of President and Managing Director at Centria University of Applied Sciences in Kokkola, Finland since 1995 until  2012 together 17 years. After the job of president Dr. Tenhunen was appointed at Shanghai University (SHU) as Visiting professor at MBA Center. In 2014 Dr. Tenhunen got from Shanghai University, China the title of High-end Foreign Expert (national level). Dr. Tenhunen signed the second Visiting professor contract with North China University of Technology in Beijing, China. In addition to this, Dr. Tenhunen has been teaching as Visiting professor at Universidad CETYS Mexico, Baja California from 2011. In February 2018 CETYS Universisdad, President Dr. Fernando Leon-Garcia invited Dr. Tenhunen to be “PIMSA Disdinquished Visiting Chair in International Strategy”. The fourth Visiting professor contract she signed in late autumn 2018 with Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University in Bucharest, Romania. This contact has been very active including a lot of teaching and interesting development work.  Dr. Tenhunen regularly visits all four foreign universities for teaching in business administration and economics. Dr. Tenhunen was elected rector at Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University since January 1st, 2021. 

Since June 1st 2012 Dr. Tenhunen has worked also as part-time own business owner. She has held a position of an expert and a consultant for several domestic and international organizations. Her projects has consisted of some international evaluating projects under the Ministry of Education and Culture, writings of research articles and lessons in the field of business cooperation and internationalization in higher education. Dr. Tenhunen has the degree of Certified Auditor. 

Dr. Tenhunen has received several medals of honor from several organizations like as Finland´s National Entrepreneurs´ Organization, Association of Finnish Accounting Firms and Finland´s Cultural Foundation. The most notable highly respected Medal of Honour is given by President of Finland´s Republic in 2002. 

Since 2015, Mr. Jaime Valls Esponda has served as General Executive Secretary of the National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions of Mexico (ANUIES, as known by Spanish acronym). ANUIES includes 203 higher education institutions that account for 60% of the enrollment and 90% of the research undertaken in Mexico. From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Valls Esponda was President of the Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas – the most important public university in that State. From 2008 to 2010, he was Mayor of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas. Starting in 1992, he held several positions in the Ministries of Education, Finance and Communications of the Mexican Federal Government.

Mr. Valls Esponda received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from ITAM in Mexico City and a Master´s degree in Political Economy from the University of Essex in England.

Secretary General of the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture. 

Degree in Philosophy and Education Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, with postgraduate studies in administration, supervision of education and educational research. 

He has held different positions in the Ministry of Education of Spain, Inspector of Education in the cities of Barcelona and Madrid, Provincial Director in the province of Toledo and Director in the Ministry of Education of Spain for ten years. He has been professor of the Department of Didactics and School Organization of the Faculty of Education of the Complutense University of Madrid.

He is the author or co-author of numerous texts, articles, research and conferences on educational topics. He has worked as a consultant or expert in education in almost all countries of Latin America and Spain, for organizations such as UNESCO, UNDP, OAS and OEI, as well as in European Union programs.

Mr. Jabonero was director of Education of the Santillana Foundation until March 2018.

Due to his dedication to education, Mr. Jabonero has been granted with different distinctions in Latin American countries and in Spain.

Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is the second women Secretary General of the Association in its 96 years of existence. She  has been serving the higher education sector for more than 03 decades at senior positions  at the University Grants Commission of India. She is the National Commissioner for  Rangers of Bharat Scouts and Guides. She is also the Member of General Assembly of the  Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi. 

Dr. (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal is a Fulbright Scholar and has been a topper in MSc and PhD in Agricultural Statistics from IARI, New Delhi. Dr Mittal has also served as the first regular  Vice Chancellor of Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Haryana, the first rural  women university of North India for two terms. Dr Mittal is also the recipient of many  Awards and Honours like Fulbright Nehru Scholarship grant for Educational  Administrators, President of India Award in 2017 for Digital Initiatives in Higher  education, Honorary Doctorate-D. Litt. (Honoris Causa) from Karnataka State Women’s  University, Karnataka, First Padam Shri Subhashini Devi Award 2018 for contributions  in Societal Development and Community Engagement, Qimpro Gold Standard Award for  leadership in Education for the year 2018 and Smt. Sushma Swaraj Stree Shakti Samman  2020. 

Dr Mittal has visited a number of countries like USA, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom,  Australia, China, South Korea, Spain, Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, Malaysia,  Mauritius and Philippines to name a few, for academic purposes for presenting papers in  international conferences and for academic exchanges on behalf of UGC. She  has published a number of papers, articles, occasional papers and reports on issues 

relating to higher education and women empowerment in national and international  journals.

Dr. Antonio R. Flores has served as president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) for twenty-five years. He has been a leading advocate for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Hispanic higher education success. Under his leadership, HSIs have garnered over $5 billion in federal funding and current appropriations above $500 million annually. 

HACU’s membership represents more than 500 colleges and universities that collectively serve two-thirds of the 3.8 million Hispanic students in U.S. higher education across 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. HACU also affiliates 30 leading universities in Latin America and Spain. 

Dr. Flores has received numerous recognitions and honors for his contributions to higher education, including five honorary doctorate degrees from higher education institutions. He serves on and has chaired various national boards and commissions. 

Dr. Flores earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; a master’s in counseling and personnel from Western Michigan University; and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and elementary education from Universidad de Guadalajara and Centro Normal Regional, Mexico, respectively.

Ted Mitchell is the president of the American Council on Education, the  coordinating body for higher education institutions in the United States. ACE’s work  encompasses policy advocacy; program development; and research focusing on  equity, access, and student achievement. 

Mitchell’s leadership of ACE and of the nation’s higher education sector is informed  by a lifetime of work in higher education as a professor, dean, college president,  trustee, and most recently as U.S. Under Secretary of Education in the Obama  administration. 

Mitchell also has deep experience in K–12 education, having served as CEO of the  NewSchools Venture Fund—a venture philanthropy investing in K–12 innovation to  support low-income students, schools, and communities—and as the president of  the California State Board of Education.

Pradeep K. Khosla became UC San Diego’s eighth Chancellor on August 1, 2012. As UC San Diego’s chief executive officer, he leads a campus with more than 40,000 students, seven undergraduate colleges, six academic divisions, and six graduate and professional schools. UC San Diego is also home to the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the UC San Diego Health System. With annual revenues of $5.4 billion in fiscal year 2019, UC San Diego is an academic and research powerhouse, with faculty, researchers and staff attracting more than $1.45 billion in sponsored research funding a year. UC San Diego is recognized as one of the top 15 research universities in the world and is the largest civilian employer based in San Diego County.

Khosla initiated and led UC San Diego’s first-ever Strategic Plan and the ambitious $2 billion Campaign for UC San Diego. The Campaign, which is aimed at transforming the university physically and intellectually, has raised $2.31 billion in eight years. Khosla has significantly expanded college access and affordability for underserved populations, initiated interdisciplinary research initiatives to foster collaboration and solve societal challenges, and strengthened university and community relationships and partnerships. The campus is currently in the midst of a $2 billion-construction plan aimed at expanding classroom and research space and doubling the number of on-campus housing units.

An internationally renowned electrical and computer engineer, Khosla previously served as Dean of the College of Engineering and Philip and Marsha Dowd University Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He spent the majority of his career at Carnegie Mellon, rising through the ranks from his first position as Assistant Professor in 1986 to his appointment as Dean in 2004. From 1994 to 1996, he also served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Program Manager in the Software and Intelligent Systems Technology Office, Defense Sciences Office and Tactical Technology Office, where he managed advanced research and development programs.

Khosla is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and the American Society for Engineering Education. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Association for Advancement of Science, the American Association of Artificial Intelligence, the Indian Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Indian Academy of Science. Khosla is also the recipient of numerous awards for his leadership, teaching, and research, including the 2012 Light of India Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the George Westinghouse Award for contributions to improve engineering teaching. In 2012, he was named one of the 50 most influential Indian-Americans by SiliconIndia.

Dr. Rita Hartung Cheng served as the 16th President of Northern Arizona University from 2014-2021 and is currently Professor of Accounting and Sr Fellow for Educational Policy at NAU.  Under her leadership, NAU experienced enrollment increases of first generation and underrepresented students and significant improvements in retention and graduation rates.  She focused on growing and enhancing diverse, market-driven programs on the Flagstaff campus, state-wide and online.  During her tenure NAU received designation as an Hispanic-serving institution, was ranked in the top one percent of all four-year public universities with the highest Native American enrollment, doubled research awards and created the institutions first Diversity Strategic Plan.  Dr. Cheng served as Chancellor of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale from 2010 to 2014. She also spent over 20 years in faculty and administrative roles at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, including as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. She earned her Ph.D. in management from Temple University’s Fox School of Business and Management, an MBA from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor of business administration with honors from Bishop’s University in Quebec.

Born in the Pazar sub-province of Rize in 1965, schooled at Pazar Sivritepe Village Primary School, Pazar Secondary School and Pazar High School. Professor Şahin graduated from the Department of Geodesy and Photogrammetry (Geomatics) Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, İstanbul Technical University in 1987 at the top of his class.

Professor Şahin received his master’s degree from University College London in 1991, and his PhD degree from University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1994. He started his academic career in 1988 as a Research Fellow in the Department of Surveying Techniques at Istanbul Technical University and advanced through the ranks of assistant professor and associate professor. In 2002, he became a tenured Professor in the Department of Surveying Techniques at Istanbul Technical University. He was a short-term visiting fellow at Graz Technical University in 1997 and at Berlin Technical University in 2000.

During the years 1996-2004 at Istanbul Technical University, he assumed several administrative positions such as Advisor to the Rector, Director of the School of Foreign Languages, Chairman of the Department of Surveying Techniques, and Coordinator for the Graduate Program in Advanced Technologies.

Professor Şahin is a member of various national and international engineering societies and he has 14 international SCI articles and 73 international papers.

Professor Şahin was appointed as the Rector of Istanbul Technical University on August 6th, 2008 and his tenure ended on August 6th, 2012. In 2009, Prof. Şahin was the first and only rector from Turkey to be elected as a member of the Board of Directors of CESAER (Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research), based in Belgium and including the most prominent engineering universities in Europe. In February 2012, Professor Şahin was nominated and elected unanimously to the four-member Executive Board of CESAER on account of the contributions he had made to “Research and Strategy Management at Universities”.

Professor Şahin is a member of the Advisory Board on Earthquakes of the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, and a member of the Board of Directors of Foundation for Citizens from Rize and Black Sea Region. Between August 2008 and August 2012, he was the Chairman of ITU Foundation and ITU Development Foundation, Chairman of ITU ARI Technocity Board of Directors, Founding Representative of ITU Development Foundation Schools and an Honorary Chairman of ITU Alumni Council.

Professor Şahin is married to Neşe Şahin, a textile designer, and has two children: a son named Efe, born in 2002, and a daughter named Defne, born in 2009.

Professor Şahin is the founding rector of MEF University and has been in position since March 2013.

Dr. Enrique Graue graduated from the UNAM School of Medicine in 1975  as a medical doctor and then in 1978 with a specialty in ophthalmology.  Later he studied Biology and Cornea Transplants Surgery at University of  Florida. 

He became the coordinator of the Academic Ophthalmology Committee and  then the Associate Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research, position  he occupied from 2004–2008. 

He was designated as Dean of the School of Medicine at UNAM in January  2008 and reelected for the position in 2012. 

Dr. Graue has taken part on various committees regarding his specialty. He  was the only Mexican to sit on the Ophthalmologic Internationalist  Academy and has been the president of the Mexican Ophthalmology Society  (1990), the Mexican Ophthalmology Council (2004–2006), and the Pan 

American Association of Ophthalmology (2005–2007), and Vice president of  the International Ophthalmology Council. Currently, he is the president of  the National Academy of Medicine. 

On November, 2015, Dr. Graue was designated Rector of the UNAM.

Vice-Chancellor, American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB)

Born in Manila, Philippines, Dr. Lamagna is the first woman Vice-Chancellor in Bangladesh. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Adamson University, Manila, obtained her Master in Arts from Rizal Technological University, Philippines and Doctor of Business Administration in California Coast University, California. Under her guidance, the University, from its inception in 1995 has earned eminences as a higher seat of quality education in Bangladesh. From 70 students, the current student population is more than 11,000 under the Faculties of Science and Information technology, Engineering, Business Administration and Arts and Social Sciences. Dr. Lamagna’s achievements as an educator and manager may be gleaned from the positions she has in prestigious international bodies.

Morocco

Jamil Salmi is a global tertiary education expert providing policy advice and consulting services to governments, universities, professional associations, multilateral banks and bilateral cooperation agencies. Until January 2012, he was the World Bank’s tertiary education coordinator. He wrote the first World Bank policy paper on higher education reform in 1994 and was the principal author of the Bank’s 2002 Tertiary Education Strategy entitled “Constructing Knowledge Societies: New Challenges for Tertiary Education”. In the past twenty years, Dr. Salmi has provided advice on tertiary education development, financing reforms and strategic planning to governments and university leaders in about 90 countries all over the world.

Dr. Salmi is a member of the international advisory board of several universities in Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America and the Middle East. He is also a member of the International Advisory Network of the UK Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, and the CHEA International Quality Group Advisory Council. Between 2008 and 2011, he represented the World Bank on the Governing Board of the International Institute for Educational Planning. Dr. Salmi is Emeritus Professor of Higher Education at the Diego Portales University in Chile.

Dr. Salmi’s 2009 book addresses the “Challenge of Establishing World-Class Universities”. His latest book, co-edited with Professor Phil Altbach, entitled “The Road to Academic Excellence: the Making of World-Class Research Universities”, was published in September 2011.

Ricardo Rivero Ortega (Palencia, 1969) is a jurist and expert in Economic Regulation, Professor of Administrative Law  and the current Rector of the University of Salamanca. 

He studied law at the University of Salamanca, taking his final year of studies as an Erasmus student at the University  of Amsterdam (Netherlands). He later completed his doctorate degree, receiving the Outstanding Doctorate Award, after carrying out research stays at the University of Freiburg (Germany). 

He has worked as a lecturer and invited researcher at the Research Institute for Public Administration of Speyer  (Germany) and at the universities of Paris X-Nanterre, Buenos Aires, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Sao  Paulo, Rosario (Colombia), National University of the Plata, National University of Rosary (Argentina), of Litoral and the National University of Costa Rica. He is an honorary professor at the University of the Plata and the Pedro Henríquez  Ureña National University. 

He is the author of 24 books and more than a hundred research papers, and his specialisms include Economic  Administrative Law, Regulation, Local Regime and Innovation in Public Administrations. It is worth mentioning his work  as a coordinator of American academics contributing content for the construction of the Pan-Hispanic Spanish Law Dictionary. 

He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Technological University of Santiago, appointed Honorary Counsellor of  the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, academician of the National Academy of History and Geography of the National  Autonomous University of Mexico, where he was also awarded the Isidro Fabela Medal of the School of Law. 

In the area of University Management, he has served as the Defender of the University Student from 2005 to 2009, for  which he was elected by an absolute majority by the University Senate. He also served as the Dean of the School of  Law from 2012 to 2017. 

His mandate as Rector is characterized by advocating the role of the university as a public service that, as well as conveying and creating knowledge, must participate in cultivating its nearest social environment. He is the defender  of the need for humanism in the classroom and the role of the University of Salamanca as an academic bridge between  Europe and Latin America, as a place of learning that is commemorating its 800-year history, the oldest of all Spanish speaking universities, and an institution that has continued to educate since its establishment in 1218.

Professor Liu Jinan is the president of Organizing Committee of World Women University Presidents Forum, president of Women Leadership Academy, honorary president of Communication University of China (CUC), honorary president of Nanguang College of CUC and the member of National Committee of CinemaReview.

In February 1939, Professor Liu Jinan was born in Xiaogan city of Hubei province in China. Graduated from Peking University in 1965,she hasworked as a teacherand then professor, doctoral supervisor in CUC (former Beijing Broadcasting Institute)sincethen.From 1990to 2006, she had beenthe president of CUC (former Beijing Broadcasting Institute). In 2004, Prof. Liu Jinan founded a modern college named Nanguang College of CUCandshe was the president of Nanguang College of CUC from 2004 to 2010.

Since 2001 when launching the World Women University Presidents Forum, Professor Liu Jinan has successfully heldeightmain forums and tensub-forums.She took the lead in filming the first TV series of World Women University Presidents (15 episodes) and publishing the “World Women’s Universities and Women University Presidents” book series (50 books) which is another achievement of WWUPF. 

In October 2004, she was awarded the “2004 Outstanding Achievement Award” by the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP).

Francisco Marmolejo es Presidente de la División de Educación Superior  en la Fundación Qatar para la Educación, la Ciencia y el Desarrollo Comunitario  (Qatar Foundation), desde donde dirige las actividades de apoyo y coordinación  en temas universitarios en la Ciudad Educativa de Doha, Qatar, el más grande  campus de su tipo a nivel global que alberga 8 prestigiosas universidades que  ofrecen mas de 70 programas académicos a estudiantes de más de 60 países.  De 2012 a comienzos del 2020 trabajó en el Banco Mundial, primero como  Coordinador Global de Educación Superior desde la sede en Washington, DC y,  más recientemente, como Especialista Líder de Educación para India y el  Sudeste Asiático con sede en Nueva Delhi. Fundó y dirigió entre 1995 y 2012 el  Consorcio de Colaboración de la Educación Superior de América del Norte  (CONAHEC), con sede en la Universidad de Arizona, en donde además fungió  como Vicerrector Asistente de Programas del Continente Americano. En 1994  fue el primer mexicano seleccionado como Fellow del Consejo Estadounidense  de la Educación Superior en el marco de lo cual fue Académico Visitante en la  Universidad de Massachusetts. Ha sido además Vicerrector de la Universidad de  las Américas en México, profesor de la UNAM y la UASLP y Consultor  Internacional de la OCDE con sede en París. Ha sido el primer exalumno al que  la UASLP le ha otorgado el Doctorado Honoris Causa. Esta misma distinción  también le ha sido otorgada por la Universidad de Guadalajara.

Currently, Dr. Karakhanyan is employed by the Abu Dhabi Government as Higher Education Policy & Regulation Director at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge in the United Arab Emirates. She is also President of the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), which is a global umbrella network of tertiary education quality assurance providers, which brings together more than 350 members worldwide. She consults governments on policymaking, governance as well as external and internal QA systems in a diversity of contexts globally. 

Dr. Karakhanyan’s expertise evolves around tertiary education in general and policymaking, governance and quality assurance in particular. Her expertise has been widely sought after by a diversity of systems and cultures. She has worked with around 35 governments, authored and delivered capacity building events and external reviews of governance structures, legal and policy frameworks and QA systems worldwide. She has led a variety of projects under the auspices of the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Open Society Institute, IREX, to name but a few. All the projects address higher education reforms in general and diversity of aspects in legal and policy frameworks, policymaking, governance and quality assurance, in particular. Her service has been acknowledged in a diversity of contexts and systems globally. 

Dr. Karakhanyan holds M.S.Ed in Educational Administration/Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, the USA and PhD in Social Sciences from Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Her research interests focus around higher education governance and administration, reforms, policymaking, policy diffusion and transfer, and external and internal quality assurance. Her research background has helped her tremendously in the establishment of new and evaluation/review of existing tertiary education systems in a diversity of contexts at the global level.

Dr. Brimmer is the Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the largest nonprofit professional association dedicated to international education.  

She served at the U.S. Department of State as the Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs from 2009-2013.  She served on the Policy Planning Staff from 1999-2001 and on the staff of the Under Secretary for Political Affairs from 1993-1995.

She was the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs from 2013-2015. Earlier in her career she was Deputy Director and Director of Research at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. She was a visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. She has published numerous articles and edited eight books on transatlantic relations. Her work has been translated into five languages.  

She has been a senior advisor at McLarty Associates and an associate at McKinsey & Company. 

From 1995-1999 she was a Senior Associate at the Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict, an operating program of Carnegie Corporation of New York.  

She is a member of the Trilateral Commission and the Executive Committee of the Atlantic Council.  She is a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, where she has also been an adjunct senior fellow.  

She received her doctorate and master’s degrees in international relations from Oxford University and her bachelor’s degree from Pomona College. 

Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc is President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Under the 17 years of Paul’s direction, SNHU has grown from 2,800 students to over 170,000 learners and is the largest non-profit provider of online higher education in the country. Paul serves on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) and on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Board on Higher Education and Workforce. In 2018, Paul was awarded the prestigious TIAA Institute Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in Higher Education. Paul immigrated to the United States as a child, was the first person in his extended family to attend college and is a graduate of Framingham State University (BA), Boston College (MA), and the University of Massachusetts (PhD). From 1993 to 1996 he directed a technology start up for Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company, was President of Marlboro College (VT) from 1996 to 2003 and became President of SNHU in 2003.