2026 Leadership Programme
12:00
Online Session
15:30
Registration and coffee
16:00
Welcome and introduction to the Strategic Professional Leadership Programme Auditorium
Stephan van Galen, Secretary General, University of Groningen; HUMANE Board Member, NL; Nadine Burquel, Director General HUMANE, BE
16:15
Panel – Setting the scene: Leading universities in turbulent times: Conversations with senior university leaders Auditorium
Panel Chair:
- Stephan van Galen, Secretary General, University of Groningen; HUMANE Board Member, NL
Panel Members:
- Nicola Owen, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, University of Birmingham, UK
- Arnold Boon, University Director, Copenhagen Business School, DK
- Andrea Silvestri, General Director, University of Turin, IT
17:15
Peer networking activity – My leadership style, journey and self-reflections Auditorium
Nicola Owen, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, University of Birmingham, UK
18:00
Return to hotels
20:00
Dinner
09:00
Welcome by the host
09:10
Welcome by the HUMANE President Auditorium
Alex Pellacani, HUMANE President; Director General, University of Trento, IT
09:20
Setting the scene: Leading universities in the VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) Auditorium
Franco Bernabè, Chairman of FB Group and Techvisory (Artificial Intelligence), Chairman of the University of Trento, Honorary President of the National Commission for UNESCO, IT
10:30
Coffee Break Terrace
11:00
Leading multiple crises, daily: university approaches and leadership styles Auditorium
Janka Stoker, Professor of Leadership and Organisational Change, Director centre of expertise ‘In the LEAD’; Harry Garretsen, Professor of International Economics & Business; Director ‘In the LEAD’, University of Groningen, NL
12:30
Lunch Terrace
14:00
Group work; one-on-one private consultations: My leadership challenges linked to a current major organisational challenge in my institution Several rooms
15:00
Coffee break Terrace
15:30
Building Institutional Resilience: Addressing Global Research and Knowledge Security Risks (including the ethical impact of research) Auditorium
Koen Verlaeckt, Secretary-General, Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), BE
16:45
Group work; one-on-one private consultations: My leadership challenges linked to a current major organisational challenge in my institution Several rooms
17:45
Takeaways of the day Auditorium
18:00
Return to hotels
20:00
Dinner
09:00
Navigating Global Demographic Trends: Implications for Higher Education and University Leadership Responses Auditorium
Helga de Valk, Director, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI); Honorary Professor of Migration and the life course, University of Groningen, NL
10:30
Coffee Break Terrace
11:00
Thriving in leadership and leading with resilience in turbulent times Auditorium
Sarah Smith, Advanced Executive Coach & Leadership Development Adviser, UK
12:30
Lunch Terrace
14:00
Group work: Goals for action plans to address major organisational challenges Auditorium, Salone, Aula
15:00
Coffee break
15:20
Transformational leadership to deliver on climate mitigation in universities: Why and how? Auditorium
Peter Møllgaard, President Copenhagen Business School; Chairperson, the Danish Council on Climate Change, DK
16:45
Writing first outline of goals and action plans (with support from peers) Auditorium, Salone, Aula
18:30
Return to hotels
20:00
Dinner
09:00
Embracing Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Industry 5.0 and Hyperconnectivity in Education, Research, and university Professional Services: Navigating opportunities, risks; the compliance challenges (including cybersecurity and privacy) Auditorium
Nicola Owen, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, University of Birmingham, UK
10:30
Coffee break Terrace
11:00
Leading institutional financial sustainability and resilience: income diversification in support of the university strategy; financial risk management in volatile environments; sustainable economic models Auditorium
Akos Domahidi, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Obuda University Budapest, HU
12:30
Lunch Terrace
14:00
Group work on action plans: integrating takeaways on key trends that impact universities; one-on-one private consultations Several rooms
15:00
Coffee break Terrace
15:30
Driving effective strategic planning in uncertain times: aligning multiple actions with the university mission Auditorium
Arnold Boon, University Director, Copenhagen Business School, DK
16:45
Group work on action plans: integrating takeaways on key trends that impact universities; one-on-one private consultations Several rooms
17:45
Takeaways of the day Auditorium
18:00
Continued work on action plans Auditorium, Salone, Aula
19:00
Return to hotel
20:00
Dinner
09:00
Leading people and a multigenerational workforce in universities Auditorium
Andrea Silvestri, General Director, University of Turin, IT
10:30
Coffee Break Terrace
11:00
Closing plenary session: Presentation on groups’ key take-aways on key trends to panel and next steps Auditorium
12:30
Closing lunch Terrace
12:00
Online Session
Important information:
Neither HUMANE nor the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (KNIR) are liable for any losses, accidents or damage to persons or objects during the HUMANE Leadership Programme.
Participants attending the HUMANE Leadership Programme do so at their own risk and responsibility.