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The European University Association’s Leadership Development Programme (LDP) marked an important milestone on 15 April, as this year’s participants gathered at Yeditepe University, Türkiye, for their first in-person session.
The cohort brings together 24 senior university leaders from 15 European countries, representing a wide range of institutional contexts and leadership roles, including rectors, vice rectors, deans and professional leaders with responsibilities in research and innovation, learning and teaching, quality assurance or strategic development. Following two online sessions earlier this year, the meeting provided the first opportunity for participants to engage face-to-face and strengthen connections within the group. To this end, the April session focused on fostering a collaborative and reflective learning environment, combining peer exchange with expert input and interactive discussions.
Welcomed by EUA President Josep M. Garrell, participants engaged in discussions on defining leadership moments and current leadership challenges, including how to navigate resistance to change in complex institutional settings. These exchanges enabled participants to identify shared themes while gaining new perspectives from their peers.
The programme also explored the European policy context, with a session on EU competitiveness and regulatory frameworks, linking leadership practice to wider developments shaping higher education across Europe. In addition, participants advanced in their work on a group simulation exercise, a core element of the programme designed to foster collaborative problem-solving and strategic thinking.
Running from February to September 2026, the EUA Leadership Development Programme combines online and in-person sessions to support senior leaders in navigating institutional and system-level transformation. Now in its second edition, the programme continues to respond to growing demand for practice-oriented leadership development tailored to the European higher education sector.
The call for participation in the 2027 edition of the EUA Leadership Development Programme will open in Spring 2026.
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