Since 2014, Times ÖйúAƬ¡¯s World Academic Summit has been a prominent fixture in the academic leader¡¯s calendar as universities and policymakers anticipate the annual launch of the World University Rankings, the results of which will inform their strategic planning.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the event on to a virtual platform for the second (and hopefully final) year, the programme has only grown more ambitious in scope, attracting cutting-edge researchers and ÖйúAƬ leaders as well as key figures from government and industry worldwide.

This year, we are asking ¡°How powerful is place?¡± with the objective of exploring the relationship between universities and their locations in a rapidly changing and digitised world. Here are five reasons you should attend the World Academic Summit:

1. A series of thought-provoking keynote interviews, panel discussions and workshops that have been carefully curated in partnership with the University of Toronto to highlight the biggest challenges faced by decision-makers in ÖйúAƬ. Can universities shift from performative to transformative action in how they engage with minority groups? How can universities and their neighbouring communities create mutually beneficial partnerships to boost prosperity in a time of economic uncertainty? What does the future of internationalisation look like as we begin to permanently merge physical and digital university assets in the name of sector-wide transformation?

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2. The exclusive live launch of the THE World University Rankings 2022, a?survey of the top-performing universities globally that is trusted and used by students, teachers, scholars, governments and industry experts. To a certain degree, the pandemic has reshaped the metrics for success, breadth of research and civic responsibility for universities. What are you hoping to see reflected in this year¡¯s release?

3. An unmatched opportunity to network online one-to-one with senior university personnel from across the globe over three days, where you can discuss how to advance your professional and academic objectives with the sector¡¯s most ambitious leaders.

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4. The opportunity to view this premium content on-demand for the rest of the year on our virtual platform, if you are unable to attend any of your desired sessions at the time they are aired. They will be available within 48 hours post-event.

5. In an exclusive preview of future rankings methodology, our data team will conduct a masterclass aiming to increase the transparency of their data profiling and to outline what changes will be made to?develop a more inclusive vision for °Õ±á·¡¡¯s future rankings.