Nurturing Academic Leaders of Tomorrow through Global Academic Leadership Excellence Programme

The picturesque valley of Swarnabhumi Harau in West Sumatera, Indonesia, played host to the inaugural Global Academic Leadership Excellence Programme (GALEP 1.0) on 27 and 28 May 2025.

Organised collaboratively by the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and the Akademi Kepimpinan Pendidikan Tinggi (AKEPT), Malaysia, in partnership with Universitas Islam Riau (UIR), Indonesia the programme marked a significant milestone in cross-border academic collaboration and leadership development in Southeast Asia.

In today's rapidly evolving higher education landscape, academic leadership demands more than administrative oversight. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the academic profession, institutional missions, and the strategic role of universities in driving knowledge, innovation, and societal progress.

GALEP 1.0 was designed as a response to this need. It is a structured learning and development initiative that aims to prepare young and emerging academic leaders with a robust set of leadership competencies essential for scholarship development, institutional advancement and academic excellence.

The programme adopts a holistic framework that not only builds theoretical knowledge, but also cultivates practical leadership skills and context-sensitive strategies.

Participants of GALEP 1.0 engaged in a thoughtfully curated set of discussions and activities that explored the philosophy and functions of the university, the nature of the academic profession, the duties and responsibilities of academic leaders, and the strategies for effective institutional management.

Sessions also delved into essential leadership skills such as communication, empowerment, and collaboration, as well as key themes in higher education including strategic planning, research development, innovation, community engagement, and intellectual publication.

The immersive nature of the programme, set against the serene backdrop of Swarnabumi Harau, fostered both intellectual stimulation and relational growth among participants. Facilitators from IIUM, AKEPT, and UIR led dynamic sessions that challenged participants to reflect on the roles they play as leaders and to develop strategies aligned with both local realities and global expectations.

This was further enriched by the diversity of participants, who represented various discipline of knowledge from Indonesia and Malaysia, offering rich exchanges of ideas, practices, and aspirations.

In her closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Harshita Aini Haroon, Director of AKEPT, expressed deep appreciation to Universitas Islam Riau for its steadfast commitment to advancing academic leadership and fostering international cooperation in higher education. She highlighted the importance of further strengthening collaboration among higher learning institutions across the region, particularly in light of the recently launched ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

This regional vision aspires to create a more integrated and prosperous ASEAN by promoting innovation, sustainability, and a better quality of life for all its people. Prof. Harshita affirmed that initiatives like GALEP embody the collaborative and forward-looking spirit of this vision and should be expanded to build stronger academic ecosystems throughout the region.

By the end of the two-day programme, participants left with a deeper appreciation of the university's true purpose, an enhanced ability to lead with integrity and clarity, and renewed commitment to institutional and societal betterment.

More than just a leadership training event, GALEP 1.0 served as a platform for forming bonds, building networks, and cultivating a shared vision for higher education leadership in the region.

The organisers, IIUM, AKEPT, and UIR expressed their satisfaction with the success of the programme and pledged to continue expanding this initiative to reach a broader audience in the years to come.

GALEP 1.0 is a testament to what can be achieved when institutions unite with a shared goal: to nurture future-ready academic leaders who are capable, ethical, and inspired to serve the greater good.

Shukran Abd Rahman is a professor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology in the Department of Psychology, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia. His research areas include career development, change and development in higher education institutions, organizational behavior, academic culture, and the employability of students in higher learning institutions.