Title: Science Diplomacy Through Geospatial Intelligence: Harnessing GIS to Address Global Challenges.
Short Biography:
International higher education leader, former university president and academic with more than two decades of senior leadership experience across Europe, Asia and Africa. Extensive experience in establishing and transforming universities, strengthening governance and international partnerships, and connecting higher education, research and innovation with wider
national and international development.
More recently, his work has expanded towards international knowledge cooperation and science diplomacy, building trusted relationships between universities, governments, international organizations and other knowledge actors across countries and regions. Combines academic experience and executive leadership with a strong understanding of different cultures, systems and institutional environments, and a long-standing commitment to using education, research and knowledge as bridges between people and societies. Leadership Style & Institutional Approach People-centered, international and strongly focused on building institutions and relationships that last. Leadership is based on trust, empowerment and shared purpose, combined with strategic clarity, accountability and a clear sense of direction.
Particularly experienced in working across cultures and guiding universities and organizations through periods of establishment, transformation and renewal. Believes that lasting international cooperation is built not simply through agreements, but through trust between people and strong
institutional relationships.
His approach increasingly extends beyond individual institutions towards connecting knowledge ecosystems across borders – bringing together universities, researchers, governments, international organizations and innovation actors around shared opportunities and challenges.
Abstract:
The presentation aims to bring together GIS and geospatial intelligence with the growing field of science diplomacy, looking particularly at how geospatial knowledge can support dialogue, shared understanding, trust and international cooperation in addressing challenges that increasingly cross national borders.