From November 30 to December 2, 2023, over 20 Seminar Participants, joined by over 20 Speakers from more than 20 countries, took part in the third edition of the IAUP Seminar on Leadership Development for New Presidents and Emerging Leaders in Doha, Qatar.
Organized jointly with Qatar Foundation and Santander Universidades, the Seminar featured daily sessions on themes such as leadership, governance, the digital transformation of higher education, quality assurance, financial diversification, internationalization, equality, and inclusion, among others.
The first day featured a Pre-Seminar Roundtable, with Speakers and Participants sharing their thoughts on Leadership Challenges in Higher Education in the Post Pandemic Era. This was followed by the official Welcome and Overview, as well as several discussions on a range of topics and individual mentoring sessions, all held at Qatar University.
The Seminar continued on December 1 at Education City, hosted by the Qatar Foundation, and at the University of Doha for Science and Technology on December 2, where panel sessions took place and then ended with a Closing Ceremony.
The IAUP Leadership Development program was first held in 2019 in Denmark, with its second edition taking place in 2022 in Mexico City.
Panel Session Recaps
The panels provided valuable insights into the current and future landscape of higher education through varied topics, with discussions that were engaging, reflective, and encouraged participation through Q&A sessions.
November 30, 2023 | Qatar University
The Nature of the Presidency & Senior Leadership in Higher Education: Achieving Purpose and Impact
- David Julien, Executive Director, Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (Canada)
- Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita, University of LaVerne; ACE Senior Advisor to the President (USA - Virtual)
- Gerald Reisinger, President, University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria; IAUP Former Secretary-General (Austria)
- Ted Mitchell, President, American Council on Education (USA - Virtual)
The panel centered around the key challenges and responsibilities faced by university presidents and senior leaders in higher education, covering the evolving nature of leadership, internationalization, geopolitical tensions, and key future themes like inclusion, equity, and sustainability. Contributions were followed by rounds of questions and reflections.
Institutional Mission, Vision, and Planning
- Ahmad Dallal, President, American University in Cairo (Egypt)
- Kakha Shengelia, President, Caucasus University; IAUP Chairman of the Board (Georgia)
- Shawn Chen, Chancellor, SIAS International University; IAUP President-Elect (China)
- Susanna Karakhanyan, Higher Education Policy & Regulation Director (United Arab Emirates)
The panel discussed the evolving landscape of higher education, addressing the balance between tradition and innovation in institutional values and practices, as well as the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into the core mission and vision, highlighting essential strategies for effective implementation. It explored the shift towards personalized learning and holistic student development, considering the impact of technological advancements, changing student demographics and learning styles, as well as the importance of aligning institutional missions with this dynamic educational paradigm, incorporating data-driven governance, and embracing a student-centric approach.
Governance of Colleges and Universities
- Carlos H. García, Chief of Staff and Director of Institutional Relations, CETYS University (Mexico)
- H.E. Hassan Diab, Former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Former Vice President American University of Beirut (Lebanon)
- Peter Eckel, Senior Fellow and Director of Leadership Programs, University of Pennsylvania (USA)
- Tomás Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino (USA) - Virtual
The panel discussion covered topics such as the distinctive governance issues faced by public versus private institutions, global variations in governance models, and navigating cultural and political landscapes. The conversation expanded to address collaborative governance structures in response to evolving trends like shared governance, sustainability integration, as well as the impact of technology on traditional models, emphasizing the need for collaborative and adaptable governance approaches in higher education institutions worldwide.
December 1, 2023 | Education City
Focusing on Student Development and Success
- Ahmad Dallal, President, American University in Cairo (Egypt)
- Carlos H. García, Chief of Staff and Director of Institutional Relations, CETYS University (Mexico)
- Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita, University of LaVerne; ACE Senior Advisor to the President (USA - Virtual)
- Kakha Shengelia, President, Caucasus University; IAUP Chairman of the Board (Georgia)
This panel highlighted effective university approaches to student development, with insights from specific initiatives as well as a more general discussion of evolving student challenges and the role of universities in addressing them, particularly in mental health. Cultural and regional variations in expectations regarding university responsibility for student well-being and the balance between comprehensive support and resource management were also explored.
A Conversation on Digital Transformation in Higher Education
- Arturo Cherbowski, Executive Director, Santander Universidades (Mexico)
- Lin Li, Vice President, Hunan University of Science and Technology (China)
- Victoria Galán-Muros, Chief Research and Analysis, UNESCO IESALC (Spain)
Drawing on the extensive experience of the panelists, this session delved into the critical aspects, significance, and challenges associated with integrating digital technologies into the higher education landscape.
Implementing UN SDGs: Sustainability
- Francisco Marmolejo, Higher Education President, Qatar Foundation (Qatar)
- Ignacio Sánchez, President, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile) - Virtual
- Victoria Galán-Muros, Chief Research and Analysis, UNESCO IESALC (Spain)
This panel’s topics included opportunities and challenges regarding education, research, engagement, and organizational management/governance of Higher Education Institutions, highlighting the importance of navigating HEIs toward SDG alignment and fostering sustainability within higher education.
Roundtable on Crisis Management
- Carlos H. García, Chief of Staff and Director of Institutional Relations, CETYS University (Mexico)
- Peter Eckel, Senior Fellow and Director of Leadership Programs, University of Pennsylvania (USA)
- Yusra Mouzughi, President, Royal University for Women (Bahrain)
This session touched on effective strategies for fostering collaboration and communication among diverse stakeholders in higher education, including reflections on developing a Systems Thinking focus in crisis management. Panelists addressed the delicate balance between decisive action during a crisis and the imperative of maintaining long-term institutional resilience and sustainability, providing practical insights for cultivating a proactive and adaptive approach to crisis management.
Innovation in the Post Pandemic Era
- Paul LeBlanc, President, Southern New Hampshire University (USA) - Virtual
This session addressed various strategies for fostering innovation in higher education, including enhancing quality within the existing framework, optimizing efficiency while still operating within the conventional parameters, or opting for a complete overhaul of the existing paradigms, providing comprehensive understanding of how innovation can be nurtured in higher education institutions.
Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Rankings
- Gerald Reisinger, President, University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria; IAUP Former Secretary-General (Austria)
- Letlhokwa Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Susanna Karakhanyan, Higher Education Policy & Regulation Director (United Arab Emirates)
The panel explored the importance of quality assurance and the relevance of university rankings, and whether these metrics truly capture the diverse and dynamic nature of higher education. Panelists delved into the necessity of adapting assessment criteria to differing contexts, recognizing the potential biases and limitations in current ranking systems.
December 2, 2023 | University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST)
A Conversation on Putting Internationalization Front and Center
- Fernando León García, President, CETYS University; IAUP President (Mexico)
- Francisco Marmolejo, Higher Education President, Qatar Foundation (Qatar)
- Hans de Wit, Emeritus Professor & Distinguished Fellow, Boston College (USA/Netherlands)
- Samuel Martin-Barbero, President, Franklin University Switzerland (Switzerland)
This panel delved into crucial aspects of internationalization in the present context; the relationship between geopolitical tensions and their consequences for international collaboration, including the challenges and opportunities that arise; and key thematic elements shaping the future of internationalization, with a particular emphasis on inclusion, equity, and sustainability.
Institutional Advancement and Diversified Revenue Streams
- Carlos H. García, Chief of Staff and Director of Institutional Relations, CETYS University (Mexico)
- Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita, University of LaVerne; ACE Senior Advisor to the President (USA - Virtual)
- Md Sabur Khan, President & Founder Daffodil International University; AUAP President (Bangladesh)
- Sue Cunningham, President, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (USA - Virtual)
During this panel discussion, speakers shared key insights into strategic approaches for institutional advancement to impact revenue streams positively, as well as a global perspective on evolving trends and critical strategies for revenue diversification in philanthropy, leveraging international collaborations for sustainable revenue streams in the ever-changing global higher education landscape, fostering community involvement and cultivating a robust culture of philanthropy within university communities. The role of digital communication and technology was discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of innovative approaches to securing financial support and building strong relationships within the higher education community.
Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita, University of LaVerne; ACE Senior Advisor to the President (USA - Virtual)
- Susanna Karakhanyan, Higher Education Policy & Regulation Director (United Arab Emirates)
- Victoria Galán-Muros, Chief Research and Analysis, UNESCO IESALC (Spain)
- Yusra Mouzughi, President, Royal University for Women (Bahrain)
This panel discussion delved into critical issues surrounding gender and diversity in higher education, noting the disproportionately low representation of women in academia and in leadership roles within higher education institutions; gender violence on HE campuses; the panelist’s views and context on the "right to higher education"; as well as the intricacies of reaching and engaging various equity-deserving groups in diverse higher education settings.
Interacting with External and Internal Constituents
- Arturo Cherbowski, Executive Director, Santander Universidades (Mexico)
- Fadlo Khuri, President, American University of Beirut (Lebanon) - Virtual
- Gerald Reisinger, President, University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria; IAUP Former Secretary-General (Austria)
The panel explored strategies, challenges, and experiences related to engaging various stakeholders within and outside academic institutions, covering the diverse perspectives of the panelists, each representing their respective institutions as they shared insights on fostering meaningful interactions with internal stakeholders such as faculty, students, and administrative bodies, as well as external constituents including industry partners, government, and the broader community.
Developing Future Leaders and Succession Planning
- Arturo Cherbowski, Executive Director, Santander Universidades (Mexico)
- Fernando León García, President, CETYS University; IAUP President (Mexico)
- Francisco Marmolejo, Higher Education President, Qatar Foundation (Qatar)
This panel focused on strategic approaches to identifying and nurturing leadership talent in higher education, touching aspects such as faculty development, administrative roles, and key leadership positions, as well as the importance of implementing effective succession plans that ensure a seamless transition of leadership, foster a culture of continuous development and promote excellence in higher education institutions.