2026 Leadership Programme
The dates for the two online sessions (April and October 2026) will be communicated very shortly.
15:30
Registration and coffee
16:00
Welcome and introduction to the Strategic Professional Leadership Programme
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
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
Nicola Owen, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, University of Birmingham, UK
18:00
Return to hotels
20:00
Dinner
09:00
Setting the scene: Leading universities in the VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity)
10:30
Coffee Break
11:00
Leading multiple crises, daily: university approaches and leadership styles
Janka Stoker, Professor of Leadership and Organizational 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
14:00
Group work; one-on-one coaching: My leadership challenges linked to a current major organisational challenge in my institution
15:00
Coffee break
15:30
Building Institutional Resilience: Addressing Global Research and Knowledge Security Risks (including the ethical impact of research)
Koen Verlaeckt, Secretary-General, Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), BE
16:45
Group work; one-on-one coaching: My leadership challenges linked to a current major organisational challenge in my institution
17:45
Takeaways of the day
18:00
Return to hotels
20:00
Dinner
09:00
Navigating Global Demographic Trends: Implications for Higher Education and University Leadership Responses
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
11:00
Thriving in leadership and leading with resilience in turbulent times
Sarah Smith, Advanced Executive Coach & Leadership Development Adviser, UK
12:30
Lunch
14:00
Group work: Goals for action plans to address major organisational challenges
15:00
Coffee break
15:20
Transformational leadership to deliver on climate mitigation in universities: Why and how?
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)
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)
Nicola Owen, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, University of Birmingham, UK
10:30
Coffee break
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
Akos Domahidi, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Obuda University Budapest, HU
12:30
Lunch
14:00
Group work on action plans: integrating takeaways on key trends that impact universities; one-on-one coaching sessions
15:00
Coffee break
15:30
Driving effective strategic planning in uncertain times: aligning multiple actions with the university mission
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 coaching sessions
17:45
Takeaways of the day
18:00
Continued work on action plans
19:00
Return to hotel
20:00
Dinner
09:00
Leading people and a multigenerational workforce in universities
Andrea Silvestri, General Director, University of Turin, IT
10:30
Coffee Break
11:00
Closing plenary session: Presentation on groups’ key take-aways on key trends to panel and next steps
12:30
Closing lunch
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.