Overview
This Strategic Leadership Focus Group focuses on the role of regional collaboration in strengthening higher education systems to respond collectively to global challenges. As higher education systems face increasing pressure to enhance quality, relevance, and resilience, collaboration across institutions and borders is becoming a strategic necessity rather than an option.

The dialogue will explore how universities, regulators, and regional networks can move from fragmented initiatives toward structured, purpose-driven collaboration. Participants will examine opportunities for shared approaches in areas such as quality assurance, research collaboration, mobility, digital transformation, and capacity building. The session aims to identify collaborative models that enhance system-level impact while respecting institutional diversity and autonomy.

Aims

• Explore how regional collaboration can enhance system resilience and collective impact.
• Identify priority areas where shared approaches and joint initiatives add the greatest value.
• Examine governance and coordination mechanisms that enable effective regional cooperation.
• Share examples of successful regional collaboration models and lessons learned.
• Co-develop strategic recommendations and roadmap elements to strengthen regional higher education ecosystems.