IIE Briefing Paper on University Presidents and Leadership in the Developing World

This IIE briefing paper, prepared by Wilfred B. Brewer, President of Performance-Solutions-Group, Inc., and Mahboob Mahmood, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Platform, provides lessons from the 2014 WISE Leadership Conference in Doha, Qatar. The WISE Program for Education Leadership is part of the Qatar Foundation’s WISE initiative, which is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate, and purposeful action in the field of education.

Each year, a group of 10–20 new university leaders are selected to take part in the three-day program in Doha. The participants are guided through a rigorous program delivered by expert trainers from around the world, covering some university-specific topics and other more general leadership and management themes. Core to the training philosophy is the understanding that new university leaders have a unique opportunity to effect change at their home institutions, communities, and countries.

This briefing paper provides a compelling analysis of data collected from the most recent WISE Program for Education Leadership class. Brewer and Mahmood conclude with essential recommendations for new university leaders in any country.