James Hope University (JHU) hosted a thought-provoking fireside chat on Monday, 14 September 2026, welcoming The London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) leadership team to campus – Ben Plummer-Powell, Chief Philanthropy and Global Engagement Officer, Sarah Cook – Director of Leadership Philanthropy and Corey Moore – Chief of staff Global Engagement & Philanthropy .
The visit marked a milestone in strengthening connections between James Hope University and one of the world’s leading institutions for social sciences, research, and global thought leadership.

Held under the theme “Education Across Borders: Building Collaborative Opportunities between the Global South and the West,” the conversation explored the evolving landscape of higher education and the opportunities for institutions across different regions to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and build lasting impact.

The event was organized and moderated by Zephia Ovia-Ikem, JHU -Director of Strategic Partnerships & International Office (Board of Trustees Representative )  and provided an opportunity for an engaging exchange on some of the most pressing questions shaping the future of education.

The conversation also explored the role of AI in shaping the future of teaching, learning, and research, while underscoring the continued importance of critical thinking, soft skills and ethical leadership. A constant question raised, how do universities to remain responsive to a rapidly changing world.

For JHU, the visit reflects the University’s commitment to building meaningful global partnerships and creating opportunities for its students, faculty, and wider community to engage with leading institutions and ideas from around the world.

As James Hope University continues to build its global academic network, conversations such as these are an important part of shaping the future of education in Africa and beyond.

We are grateful to the LSE team, our management,  faculty, students,  and guests for contributing to this important conversation and helping to shape the future of education.