November 11, 2025

Join the 20th edition of the ECIU Leadership Development Programme

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November 11, 2025
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ECIU

The recruitment for the 2026/2027 will start late spring. Stay tuned!

The ECIU Leadership Development Programme has been running since 2003 and is designed for young and emerging leaders—specifically those with a maximum of five years of experience in a senior role—within academia and support services.

About the last programme

This programme is unique because it brings together young leaders from various levels and backgrounds in academia and support services to discuss the challenges of the dynamic world of higher education and research. The focus of the programme is on

  • (further) developing personal leadership styles,
  • vision and strategy development, organisational cultures and leadership styles within universities,
  • latest developments in (European) higher education policy,
  • further acquaintance with ECIU member universities (Linköping and Kaunas) including site visits to innovative projects
  • introduction to challenge-based learning by carrying out a project independently in groups during the programme.

Dates and locations for the seminars are:

  • Seminar 1: 11-14 November 2025 at Linköping University
  • Seminar 2: 27-30 January 2026 at Kaunas University of Technology
  • Seminar 3: 24-27 March 2026 in Brussels (together with the ECIU Board Meeting)

An intake seminar for all registered participants is scheduled for 30 September 2025 online (TEAMS), 12.00-13.30 CET.

For the internal selection process please contact your Institutional Coordinator: https://www.eciu.eu/about-eciu#contact

What participants say

"The ECIU Leadership Development Programme 2024-2025 provided me a valuable framework for understanding the landscape of higher education in Europe, building leadership skills, and fostering collaboration through the challenge-based project.

Each seminar contributed a different perspective—Twente’s emphasis on personal leadership, Lyon’s focus on values and cultural leadership, and Brussels’ systems and policy view.

The challenge-based project served as a useful integrative element, though its link to the broader themes of the seminars could be strengthened, particularly with more structured time for peer feedback and reflection.

Overall, the programme is well worth recommending to colleagues, especially those early in their leadership journey! "

Giuseppe Caputo
Giuseppe Caputo
Head of the Division for the Valorisation and Impact of Research, University of TrentoLDP 2024-25

"The ECIU Leadership Development Programme provided an excellent opportunity to network with fellow academics and higher education experts from across Europe.

The programme greatly improved my understanding of higher education ecosystems, enhanced my leadership skills through targeted simulations and deepened my insights into university change management.

The practical experience of presenting strategic projects to senior management was particularly valuable.

The guidance of proficient mentors throughout the programme contributed greatly to my professional development.

I strongly recommend the ECIU Leadership Development Programme to academic managers interested in strengthening institutional collaboration and promoting sustainable innovation."

Tadas Prasauskas
Tadas Prasauskas
Vice-Dean for Research, Kaunas University of Technology
LDP 2024-2025

"Participating in the ECIU Leadership Development Program has been transformative.

Through tailored exercises and engaging discussions, I have grown significantly as a leader.

The program's unique focus on university structures has equipped me with a profound understanding of the academic landscape.

Learning in a multinational group has broadened my perspective and deepened my knowledge. This diverse environment has fostered a collaborative spirit, allowing us to learn from each other's experiences and viewpoints.

Beyond professional growth, we had a lot of fun and formed lasting bonds. The ECIU program has provided me with a network of like-minded individuals committed to excellence in higher education."

Ann-Charlotte Bival
Ann-Charlotte Bival
Deputy Head of Department, Head of Division, Linköping
LDP 2024-2025

"What makes the Leadership Development Program so special for me is the way it combines personal leadership development, strategic thinking, and the Challenge element.

The seamless integration of these aspects led to several “aha” moments throughout the program. Even when the Challenge topic was far removed from my own field of work, it provided a valuable opportunity to connect with other team members on a different level and to apply the concepts from the other two parts of the program to a real-world example.
This allowed each participant to focus on their own priorities and take away something meaningful—regardless of their level of leadership experience.

The personal exchange with people from a wide range of institutions and professional backgrounds was incredibly enriching, and I’m confident that the connections formed during this program will last for a long time."

Marisa Hammer
Marisa Hammer
Deputy Managing Coordinator, Hamburg University of Technology
LDP 2024-2025

Alumni

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ECIU

The European Consortium of Innovative Universities is a network of universities who are united by a common profile, by shared beliefs and interests and mutual trust.All ECIU universities have strengths in engineering and social sciences.