On April 14, representatives of the University of West Bohemia (UWB) participated in the Science Diplomacy Summit hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. The event brought together university leaders, researchers, and policy experts to explore how higher education institutions can respond to global crises such as climate change, technological transformation, and health challenges.
Universities must adapt beyond visibility
Global university strategies are no longer judged by visibility alone, but by their ability to adapt quickly to technological changes that affect both technical and social science disciplines. This was the key message delivered by the Rector of the University of West Bohemia, Miroslav Lávička, who took part on Tuesday, April 14, in the Science Diplomacy Summit as a panellist in a discussion focused on the transformation of international university strategies. He received the invitation together with Petr Kavalíř, Director of the NTC Research Centre at the University of West Bohemia, from the organising Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC.
International cooperation through university alliances
In the debate, the Rector highlighted the role of university alliances.
“The goal is to remain prepared, resilient, and relevant in today’s complex world. International cooperation is essential in achieving this, as it gives a medium-sized university like ours greater reach and a stronger position in addressing challenges that go beyond national borders.” –
Miroslav Lávička, UWB Rector
Science diplomacy at the intersection of research and policy
Another participant at the summit was Petr Kavalíř, Director of the NTC Research Centre and Government Commissioner for Quantum Technologies. As part of the FlashTalks: Diplomacy in Many Languages session, he joined other experts in discussing the intersection of science, politics, and innovation, as well as the future of international cooperation.
© UWB
© UWBAddressing global challenges through dialogue
The Science Diplomacy Summit is among the major international gatherings that connect science, policy, and diplomacy to address global challenges, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, and climate change. The conference brought together experts from around the world, each contributing their perspective on these issues in a rapidly changing world. The summit was co‑founded by chemistry Nobel laureate Peter Agre and Johns Hopkins University alumna Ona Ambrozaite.