SMU expands partnership to boost higher education leadership across Asia
For SMU, its partnership with the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia is becoming a regional platform for developing the leaders who will shape the future of higher education.
In July 2026, more than 67 university heads, senior administrators and emerging academic leaders from across Asia came to SMU for three executive leadership programmes covering institutional strategy, leadership development and the preparation of the next generation of academic leaders.
The expanded collaboration comes as universities face rapid technological change, demographic shifts and growing financial complexity. Its ambition is broad: to strengthen leadership at different stages of the higher-education ecosystem while creating a regional community where leaders can learn from one another.
Dr Pareena Gupta Lawrence, President of the United Board, said: "Leadership is a calling to serve — we do this work not because we are paid to do it, but because we are called to something larger than ourselves. And if you have been called to lead, you can be equipped to lead well. That is why we come together: to answer the call and equip one another for the important work ahead."
From institutional heads to emerging leaders
The series opened with the “Heads of Institution Higher Education Leadership Summit 2026” on 3 to 4 July, directed by François Bogacz, Head of Learning and Innovation at SMU Executive Development (ExD). Bringing together university presidents and vice-chancellors, the summit examined the forces reshaping higher education and how institutions can remain relevant while staying true to their educational mission.
During a fireside conversation, SMU President Professor Lily Kong challenged participants to return to a fundamental question: "What does our university stand for, and what difference are we making to our stakeholders?"
The “Heads of Institution Leadership Strategy Institute”, held from 6 to 9 July, then moved from purpose to execution. Participants developed practical strategies around institutional resilience, strategic leadership, financial sustainability, organisational capability and partnerships.
Mr Bogacz said: "Real higher education institutional strategy has to be built on solid legs: futures thinking to see change before it arrives; financial acumen to know what an institution can actually sustain; talent and organisational capability to make sure it can carry a strategy through; and the advancement and partnerships that give it room to act.
“Heads of Institution who can hold all of this together — and look honestly at where their own institution falls short — are the ones who move from ambition to something they can execute.”
The leadership continuum concluded with the “United Board Fellows Programme: SMU Summer Leadership Institute”, held from 13 to 18 July and directed by SMU Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship David Gomulya. Under the theme “Adapting to Disruption: Forging Resilient and Inclusive Higher Education in Asia”, the programme focused on developing emerging academic leaders.
Dr Lawrence, of the United Board, said: "For over two decades, the United Board Fellows Programme has graduated cohort after cohort of emerging leaders in Asian higher education. That this year's cohort is inaugurated immediately following the Heads of Institution programmes reflects a deliberate continuum of leadership development across different generations and levels of university leadership.”
Taken together, the sequence creates an opportunity for different generations of higher education leaders to consider the same regional challenges from different vantage points, allowing ideas and priorities to move across levels of leadership.
A partnership with regional reach
The expanded 2026 programming builds on a partnership between SMU ExD and the United Board established in 2019. It also draws on the United Board Fellows Programme, which has developed more than 397 Fellows from over 87 institutions across 15 countries and regions since 2002.
"We are proud to partner with the United Board across this full arc of leadership development," said Dr Flocy Joseph, Senior Deputy Director, SMU ExD. “Together, these programmes take higher education leaders on a deliberate journey: building foresight, sharpening strategy, and developing the resilience to lead through disruption.
“They also demonstrate SMU Executive Development's commitment to serving as a regional hub where leaders across Asia learn from one another and strengthen the institutions they serve.
Beyond individual leaders, both organisations see the partnership as contributing to stronger leadership across Asia through shared learning, peer networks and the exchange of leading practices.
From learning to institutional action
This year’s trio of events may have concluded, but their success will ultimately be reflected in the institutions to which participants return.
Roma Goodlander, Client Director, SMU Executive Development, said:"What matters most to us is the difference these programmes make when leaders return to their institutions. Across the Summit, the Strategy Institute and the Summer Leadership Institute, our focus has been on ensuring every participant leaves with sharper foresight, practical strategy and the resilience to lead their institution through disruption.”
In a region where higher education is changing rapidly, the opportunity is not only to equip individual leaders, but to connect them across institutions and generations. That is where SMU's role as a regional convenor becomes significant: bringing leaders together, building practical capabilities and creating relationships that can continue long after the programmes end.
