[UEH 50 Years] UEH50 Global Leadership Forum 2026: Connecting Global University Leaders to Shape a Sustainable Future for Higher Education

27 Oct, 2026

As higher education faces profound changes driven by technology, economic shifts, and sustainable development challenges, the role of universities is increasingly extending beyond their traditional missions of teaching and research. Universities are becoming centers of knowledge, innovation, and value creation for communities.

The participation of university leaders from various countries brought diverse perspectives on emerging trends in higher education, while expanding opportunities for sharing governance experience, promoting academic collaboration, and connecting initiatives aimed at generating social impact.

Overview of the UEH50 Global Leadership Forum 2026

Transforming University Governance through Multi-stakeholder Collaboration and Impact

Opening the Forum's academic program, Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH, welcomed distinguished guests, including leaders from nearly 50 of UEH's partner educational institutions and professional associations, as well as experts and leaders from Vietnamese universities. He then delivered a presentation entitled “Rethinking University Governance for the Next Era: UEH as a UniverCity Innovation Hub for Multi-stakeholder Partnership and Impact.”

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH, delivers the opening remarks at the Forum

The presentation emphasized the need to rethink university governance in response to the rapid changes taking place across global higher education. Universities must look beyond improving the effectiveness of teaching, research, and internal administration. They need to actively engage with governments, businesses, communities, and international partners to address development challenges collectively.

Building on its 50-year development journey, UEH is pursuing the UniverCity Innovation Hub model, in which the university serves as a central platform connecting knowledge, technology, innovation, and social resources. The model seeks to strengthen links between the university and the urban ecosystem, promote interdisciplinary research and multi-stakeholder collaboration, and translate knowledge into practical value for the economy, society, and the environment.

This initiative also represents a concrete step toward realizing UEH's strategy of becoming a multidisciplinary and sustainable university. At the same time, it reflects a shift from traditional university governance toward an open governance model centered on collaboration and social impact.

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH, shares the university's direction for transforming governance through the UniverCity Innovation Hub model

International Perspectives on Technology and the Future of Higher Education

Following the presentation by UEH's leadership, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University (Australia), shared his perspectives on university governance amid the far-reaching transformation of global higher education. His presentation addressed the role of university leaders in driving innovation, strengthening institutional adaptability, and building strategic partnerships to increase the impact of education and research on society.

Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University, shares his perspectives on artificial intelligence in higher education

Distinguished Professor George Williams AO particularly highlighted the long-standing partnership between Western Sydney University and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, which has laid a strong foundation for academic exchange, education, and research collaboration between the two institutions. This partnership reflects not only a lasting relationship but also opportunities to develop new collaborative initiatives, leverage each institution's strengths, and work together toward sustainable development goals.

Professor Williams' presentation added an international perspective to the discussion on governance innovation and provided a valuable link to the subsequent global leadership panel discussion.

Three Pillars of Dialogue on the Future and Impact of Universities

The Forum continued with an international panel discussion featuring university leaders and moderated by Assoc. Prof. Trinh Tu Anh. The discussion focused on three strategic directions shaping the future of higher education. The panel brought together leaders and scholars from international higher education institutions, including:

Professor Ruard Ganzevoort, Rector, International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam;
Dr. Sunyoung Cho, Chairperson of Kwangwoon Academy, the educational foundation of Kwangwoon University;
Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, Western Sydney University;
Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Bournemouth University;
Professor Nguyen Trong Hoai; Deputy Editor-in-Chief Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies;
Mr. Mike Maceda, Director, Corporate Partnership & Open Innovation, Plug and Play Tech Center APAC

Panel discussion: “Rethinking Universities for Impact: Governance, Collaboration and Transformation”

First, repositioning the role of universities in urban and community development. Universities are seen not only as institutions that educate the workforce and generate knowledge, but also as strategic partners of governments, businesses, and society. Stronger connections between research, innovation, and practical needs can enhance universities' contributions to socioeconomic development and help address community challenges.

Speakers exchange views during the international panel discussion

Second, advancing digital transformation and people-centered governance innovation. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, universities need to transform their governance models, teaching approaches, and research practices. At the same time, they must ensure that technology serves to improve educational quality, foster human development, and expand access to knowledge.

Speakers exchange views during the international panel discussion

Third, translating sustainable development commitments into tangible impact. The discussions highlighted the need to integrate sustainable development goals into university strategies and operations, connect research with real-world challenges, and establish impact assessment mechanisms to ensure that universities' contributions are measurable and sustained over the long term.

Speakers exchange views during the international panel discussion

Drawing on international perspectives and experience, the panel reinforced the Forum's central message: the future of higher education depends not only on the ability to adapt to change, but also on the capacity to proactively generate knowledge, connect resources, and create lasting value for society.

Expanding International Collaboration and Co-creating Value in a New Era of Development

Beyond academic exchange, the UEH50 Global Leadership Forum 2026 also created opportunities to strengthen connections between UEH and its international partner network, opening up potential avenues for collaboration in university governance, education, interdisciplinary research, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

In particular, the introduction of the UniverCity Innovation Hub model at the Forum reflected UEH's commitment to connecting academic knowledge with the development needs of cities and society, while leveraging multi-stakeholder collaboration to generate tangible impact.

Held as part of the activities celebrating UEH's 50th anniversary (1976–2026), the Forum marked another milestone in the university's journey toward internationalization and multidisciplinary, sustainable development. Building on 50 years of growth and achievement, UEH continues to pursue innovation, connect global knowledge, and work alongside partners to address shared challenges.

As the UEH50 Global Leadership Forum 2026 concluded, the message “Embracing Change: The Future of Impact in Higher Education” continued to resonate, reinforcing the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility. The Forum looked toward a future in which higher education not only generates knowledge but also translates it into lasting value for communities.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo

News and photos: Department of Research - Development and Global Engagement; Department of Communications and Partnerships