A group of higher education managers from around the world is currently on campus as part of the UNILEAD programme. Their aim: to learn from and with each other and to benefit from the experienced academic leaders and experts.
The University of Oldenburg is currently hosting 24 higher education managers from 18 countries as part of the DAAD-funded programme UNILEAD. The managers are attending classes on academic leadership, project and strategic management, among other topics, as well as working on individual projects. UNILEAD, offered by the C3L – Centre for Lifelong Learning, is aimed at university leaders from selected countries in Southeast Asia, South America, Mexico, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.
The Vice President for Research and Transfer, Prof. Dr Ralf Grüttemeier, emphasised the importance of international collaboration in addressing global issues and the need for academic freedom to achieve successful research. UNILEAD’s success relies on the diversity of the regions involved, he said in his welcome address.
“Peer groups from different countries, different cultural backgrounds and with their unique personal backgrounds and professional challenges are working together, learning with and from each other as well as from experienced academic lecturers and proven experts: This is globalization at its best!”
UNILEAD also includes training in resilience and conflict management, and human resources management. The 9-month programme began with an online phase in January. During the three-week on-campus phase, participants prepare to implement their individual reform projects. In September, participants will return to Oldenburg for two weeks to receive additional training, develop their projects, and present initial results.
The programme's participants are university managers employed in central administrative bodies. UNILEAD has attracted almost 530 managers from 54 countries since 2008. This year, a new course called 'UNILEAD Eastern Africa 2024' will be held in Kenya and is aimed at participants from East African countries. The course covers topics such as university digitalisation and cooperation with other higher education institutions and companies.
