UNESCO Chair of Higher Education Management

Training

The postgraduate programme in Leadership and University Transformation is a pioneering educational initiative designed to train directors and managers who must guide academic institutions into the future. The programme has a study load of 15 ECTS credits (74 taught hours), is taught at the UPC School and awards a UPC- specific diploma of expertise.

Enrolment is open with a 15% discount for early enrolment until 30 November, although places will remain open until filled.

This postgraduate programme comes at a time of unprecedented disruption, marked by the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI), global competition for talent and the urgent need to strengthen the social engagement of higher education. Universities have long ceased to be solely centres for the transmission of knowledge and have become central drivers of economic, technological and social transformation. However, the complexity of their governance and the coexistence of tradition and innovation require a renewed management model.

Redesigning governance and the connection with society and business

The programme trains those responsible for management teams and university services and professionals linked to educational policy, knowledge transfer and
university-business relations so that they can exercise effective, collaborative leadership and have the capacity to redesign governance, promote digital transformation and strengthen links with the ecosystem (businesses, public administrations and citizens).

Learning methodology in three stages: 'Understand, Experience and Transform'

The learning pathway combines the flexibility of online learning with practical application and fieldwork carried out directly within the ecosystem linked to each
participating institution.

  • Stage 1: Understand (online): synchronous and asynchronous classes analysing leadership, governance, digital transformation and global impact.
  • Stage 2: Experience (on-site in Barcelona): participants spend an immersive week in Barcelona, using the UPC as a living lab to interact with international
    experts and promote networking.
  • Stage 3: Transform (Capstone project): a supervised project to apply direct and immediate improvements to the participant's home institution. An initiative that moves straight into action, aligning strategy, execution and measurable impact.

Academic supervisors and professors

The postgraduate programme is promoted by the CUDU UPC and its academic director is Jasmina Berbegal, a full professor at the UPC, an expert in technology transfer, the director of the Chair and an assistant to the vice-rector for University Policy at the UPC. 

The programme has a multidisciplinary teaching team that brings together renowned figures in strategy, higher education management and institutional leadership.