Lecture

What Europe Can Learn from Asia: Vaes-Elias Lecture

Date

Wednesday 30 September 2026

Time

17:00 - 19:00 hour

Address

Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden

Room

Groot Auditorium

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.

The evening will open with remarks by Professor Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board of Leiden University.

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. 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)

Registration is mandatory. As places are limited, you are encouraged to register early. The deadline is 30 September (or until the maximum number of registrations has been reached).

Register here

More information

More information can be found on the Leiden Asia Centre website. Do you have questions about this event? Send a message to [e-mail]