What Europe Can Learn from Asia: Invitation to the 2026 Vaes-Elias Lecture

Name: What Europe Can Learn from Asia: Invitation to the 2026 Vaes-Elias Lecture
Start: 2026-09-30T17:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-30T19:00:00+00:00

Event information

Organised by Leiden Asia Centre

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For decades, Asia was seen primarily as the world’s factory floor. Today, it has become one of the world’s most dynamic engines of innovation, technological development, and new ideas. From artificial intelligence and digital platforms to clean energy and advanced manufacturing, many of the innovations shaping our future are emerging from Asia. What can Europe learn from this transformation? And how can Europe and Asia work together to tackle the technological and societal challenges of the decades ahead?

To explore these questions, Leiden Asia Centre warmly invites you to the 2026 Vaes-Elias Lecture, held as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations. This year’s Vaes-Elias Lecture is the first in a series of annual Asia Lectures aiming to underline Leiden University’s position as a leading centre of expertise on Asia.

The evening will open with remarks by Professor Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board of Leiden University, who will reflect on the growing importance of Asia knowledge for the Netherlands and Europe and the role of Leiden University in fostering understanding of this rapidly changing region.

The keynote lecture will be delivered by Professor Dr. Vinod Subramaniam, President of the Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam and Professor of Biophysics. Drawing on his extensive experience at the intersection of science, innovation, and higher education, Prof. Subramaniam will discuss how Europe and Asia can learn from one another in an age of technological transformation and why international knowledge exchange is more important than ever.

Following the lecture, Puneet Shukla of Infosys will join Prof. Subramaniam. Mr. Puneet Shukla is board member en regional director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East for the Indian tech company Infosys. During a lively moderated conversation the two speakers will discuss questions such as

Where does innovation take place today?
What can Europe learn from Asia’s technological rise?
How can Asia and Europe strengthen one another in science, technology, and knowledge development?
What role do international collaboration and mutual understanding play in maintaining future competitiveness?

Join us for an engaging discussion on the opportunities, challenges, and partnerships that will shape the next generation of innovation. The lecture is open to all, but places are limited. We therefore encourage you to register early.

Preliminary Agenda

17:00-17:30 Walk-in

17:30-17:45 Introduction by Luc Sels

17:45-18:15 Lecture by Vinod Subramaniam

18:15-19:00 Discussion and Q&A with Vinod Subramaniam and Puneet Shukla (moderated by LAC director Floris Harm)

About the speaker(s)

Prof. dr. Vinod Subramaniam

Prof. Vinod Subramaniam is president of the Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam. Subramaniam has a broad international scientific track record. He is a professor of Biophysics and obtained his PhD in Applied Physics in the United States for his work on laser spectroscopic protein research. His career took him to a number of leading research institutions in Europe before joining the University of Twente in 2004. There, he led the Nanobiophysics department and was scientific director of the MIRA research institute. He later became director of the fundamental physics institute AMOLF. His work is characterised by interdisciplinarity and the connections between fundamental research and societal applications – core values that are also central to the UvA’s profile. Subramaniam previously served as president of the Executive Board of the University of Twente and as rector magnificus of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Prof. dr. Luc Sels

Prof. Luc Sels is President of the Executive Board of Leiden University. Luc Sels is in charge of the strategic direction and general management of the university. He is Professor of Strategic HRM and the Future of Work at the Faculty of Law. From 2017 to 2025, Luc Sels was rector of KU Leuven. He brings a rich academic background and extensive administrative experience. After obtaining his PhD in social sciences (1995), he became a professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, where he also served as Dean for nine years. He also had part-time affiliations with the universities of Bern and Rochester. In Flanders, he held various advisory and administrative positions, including at the High Council for Employment and as director of the Work Support Centre.

Puneet Shukla

Puneet Shukla is a senior technology and business leader with more than 20 years of international experience across technology, financial services, and digital transformation. He is currently Group Managing Director and Regional Head of Infosys EdgeVerve for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Country Head of Infosys Netherlands and Managing Director of Infosys Luxembourg.

Infosys is an India-headquartered global leader in digital services and consulting, supporting organizations around the world in navigating digital transformation and adopting new technologies. In his role, Puneet brings a valuable perspective on the intersection of Indian and European technology and innovation ecosystems. Puneet holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics Engineering and has completed executive education programs at Stanford University, MIT Sloan, Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth, and the National University of Singapore.