24 participants selected for EUA’s Leadership Development Programme

With over 60 applications received from EUA member institutions, there is strong demand for leadership development among university leaders in Europe.

Following a rigorous review process, a diverse and balanced group of participants have been selected to participate in the programme’s inaugural edition, which kicks off in February 2025. They represent a wide range of professional profiles, institutional types and geographic regions, for example they:

• hold senior leadership roles such as executive head (rector, president, vice-chancellor) vice-rector, head of administration, director and dean;
• are responsible for university missions and operations including performance, strategic development, quality management, research, learning and teaching, student affairs, digitalisation and sustainability; and,
• come from EUA member universities in 16 European countries.

Running from February to September 2025, the pilot programme is designed to empower university leaders with the skills and insights needed to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education in Europe. As such, it offers a rich blend of in-person and online sessions, tackling key leadership challenges such as governance, strategic foresight and effective communication, as well as major transformation topics like sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, or digitalisation. Participants will also benefit from exclusive interactions with European policy makers, gaining first-hand insights into high-level decision-making processes in Brussels.

A key feature of the programme is its collaborative approach. Participants will work in action learning groups to tackle real-world cases and complex dilemmas, fostering peer learning and sharing of diverse perspectives. Sessions led by university leaders and EUA experts will offer a comprehensive view of European trends, challenges and opportunities, providing participants with a solid foundation to lead their institutions through times of transformation.

This inaugural cohort represents a significant step forward in EUA’s mission to empower university leaders and foster collaboration across Europe, as outlined in our vision for 2030 'Universities without walls'.

Welcoming the pilot programme’s selected participants, Thomas Estermann, Director for Governance, Funding and Public Policy Development at EUA noted:

"After much planning and preparation, we are excited to kick off the first European-level university leadership development programme, a vital resource to empower senior leaders. The future success of European universities depends on the quality of their leadership, and this programme will play a crucial role in equipping leaders to navigate challenges, seize opportunities and inspire transformative initiatives across the higher education sector."