Ladies and gentlemen, we extend our warmest welcome to the inaugural World Higher Education 2022 Ranking Summit, a groundbreaking event that unites some of the sharpest minds in higher education. Over the past few years, we have witnessed an array of transformative changes, from the global pandemic to shifting demographics, prolonged student graduation times, surging student debt, the rise of online classes, and the advent of virtual reality. These transformations have not only impacted students' lives but have also posed challenges to the quality of education and university facilities. Moreover, new technologies are reshaping the way we evaluate and rank universities. Over the next three days, you will have the privilege of engaging with top leaders, influential change-makers, and visionary educators from across the globe. They will enlighten us on best practices and how to embrace emerging technologies that will propel our institutions into the future.

Let's begin by extending a warm welcome to Robert Love, the Chairman of UNIRANKS, the organization behind this transformative summit.

Welcome the Chairman of UNIRANKS, Robert Love:

On behalf of the board and the entire organization, we are delighted to welcome you to the World Higher Education 2022 Ranking Summit. UNIRANKS stands as the world's foremost and most expansive open-ranking solution, uniquely focused on a comprehensive range of factors that empower not only experts but also students themselves. At the core of our mission is transparency. By emphasizing transparency, UNIRANKS' global open-ranking platform provides students with the vital information and tools they need to choose their ideal higher education path. This could be in person, virtually, internationally, or a combination of these mediums—ensuring they attain the finest educational outcomes for their future.

Our agenda is packed with compelling topics, distinguished speakers, and influential stakeholders from around the world. These discussions aim to stimulate conversations on how you can harness the UNIRANKS Higher Education Solutions, including the unveiling of the Higher Education Virtual Universal City. We believe this virtual metaverse represents the future of universities in a realm we like to call the "Metaverse." The Metaverse is a hyper-focused realm where we explore how to leverage various tools, such as immersive systems, to offer the best possible educational experience to students in the virtual world.

Join us for this enlightening journey into the future of higher education, where transparency, innovation, and the student experience take center stage.