Heads of University Management & Administration Network in Europe

The Berlin Summer School 

Change Management and Transformation in Universities

September 15-20, 2024

Hosted by the Freie Universität Berlin        

Specific goals

The Summer School develops the leadership capability of senior managers in higher education involved in large transformation programmes by exposing them to different management and examples from within higher education as well as other sectors 

PROGRAMME PILLARS

Thematic Sessions on major changes and trends in higher education and the need for different models of service delivery

Considering best-practice approaches to the leadership of services transformation programmes 

Exercising leadership & collaboration skills around case studies, as well as communication skills to achieve transformational change  

Programme themes

The programme has five key components:   

  • Understanding contemporary approaches to the design and delivery of large scale transformation programmes (strategic transformation programme design, organisational development and culture, change communications, stakeholder engagement) 
  • Learning from real-life experiences from higher education institutions that have embarked on a transformation journey 
  • Gaining insight from large transformation programmes from other sectors (e.g. health sector) 
  • Understanding the obstacles and drivers for change (organisational culture, digitalisation, governance models) 
  • Understanding the power of collaborative, agile approaches to the leadership of transformational change of services in an academic setting. 

Programme delivery 

These five components are delivered through strategic conversations with highly experienced leaders and managers in higher education, practical casework and highly interactive team building sessions. Click on the tab below to view the full programme.

The first part of the programme will be an introductory webinar, with a significant emphasis on working in teams. By the time participants arrive at the Freie Universität Berlin on September 15, 2024, for the residential component of the programme, your multi-national teams will be fully functional.

Throughout the week of the residential programme, participants will continue to work with peers from other institutions on two large-scale change programmes, appraising the strategy of the two case institutions, advising on the next steps that should be taken and how best to improve their professional services transformation delivery capability, as well as attending plenary sessions delivered by experienced, senior higher education leaders.

School Fee

The fee for the week-long programme in 2024 will be €4,080 for HUMANE Members (€4,580 for non-HUMANE members). It includes fees for tuition, all documentation and accommodation in a central Berlin hotel but excludes travel costs. Non HUMANE Members may apply if they meet the following criteria: they are from a higher education institution that delivers degree programmes in at least two of the three Bologna cycles (BA, MA, doctorate). The Secretariat will apply the correct rate.

Erasmus+ offers travel support for higher education administrative staff. Further information is available here.
Applications are managed through the institutions Erasmus + Coordinator, usually attached to the international office. The Summer School regularly has participants making use of this opportunity.

Apply for the 2024 edition

The 2024 Summer School will take place on September 15-20. Applications are now open here

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, May 15.