2024 Leadership Development Program for Higher Education Institutions (LDP-HEIs) in Southeast Asia

2024 Leadership Development Program for Higher Education Institutions (LDP-HEIs) in Southeast Asia

Background

Higher education institutions (HEIs) face a growing number of challenges, among them the massification, diversification, internationalization, and commercialization of higher education. In addition, there are challenges specific to HEIs in ASEAN Member States (AMS), including the need to keep in step with the ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) initiative, gain recognition through the ASEAN University Rankings system, and prepare themselves for the unique local and regional challenges that come with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) agenda.

To build the capacity of Southeast Asian HEI leaders with the relevant skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead thriving and resilient universities in the region, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with The HEAD Foundation (THF), has conducted five successful regional and in-country runs of the "Leadership Development Program for Higher Education Institutions (LDP-HEIs)" since 2019. Download this flyer for further details.

Participants

The program is intended for top administrators, faculty deans/department heads, and other university leaders of HEIs in Southeast Asia who are at least a master's degree holder. Slots will also be given to newly appointed leaders or are poised for leadership positions in the university as endorsed by their immediate supervisor. Only 20-25 participants from across Southeast Asia will be selected for this program.


Program Objectives

  • Understand the role of HEIs and the inter-dependency with key stakeholders in a national, cross-national, and regional ecosystems;
  • Internalize the importance of aligning educational objectives to future needs;
  • Understand the trends that are driving changes in the labor marker, business, and industry;
  • Discuss common contemporary challenges and appropriate (country context) responses;
  • Adopt a forward-looking work approach and strategies to address the rapidly changing environment of higher education in the face of opportunities and challenges in the region;
  • Gain relevant knowledge about higher education leadership and management;
  • Gain new perspectives of their roles as university leaders to empower them to drive change in their institutions through the 4Ps enablers;
  • Learn tools and methodology to review and assess their current status, envision desired future, leadership and change management, strategic/process planning, and people engagement; and
  • Explore potential collaborative efforts at national, cross-countries, and regional (ASEAN) levels.

Program Outcomes

Participants will design and implement their Re-Entry Action Plan (REAP), a customized and contextualized plan tailored for their HEI, to lead their HEI towards their desired future.

With incremental deliveries of REAP, combined with leadership coaching, alumni sharing, and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, participants will be guided towards successful planning and execution of their vision and mission.


Program Design and Important Dates

The LDP-HEIs will be delivered in a hybrid modality from March to July 2024. The first two months are dedicated to asynchronous and synchronous online learning sessions. Participants then apply their learning through individual/HEI group assignments, which will form the basis of their REAPs.

Participants will then convene in Thailand in May 2024 for a three-day REAP pitching and refinement, site visits, and guest lectures. After this, participants will implement incremental improvements to their REAP and consult key stakeholders to enhance the design and implementation of their REAP. Participants will then present online in July 2024 their final REAP and share best practices to sustain change after REAP implementation.

The selected participants should be able to commit to attending on all the dates specified below. Each of the online synchronous sessions will last for around three hours. Participants need to complete asynchronous online learning before each session.

Onboarding session

  • 29 February 2024 (1 hour)

Online synchronous sessions

  • 14 & 21 March 2024
  • 11 & 25 April 2024
  • 2 May 2024

Face-to-face sessions in Thailand

  • 6-10 May 2024, including travel period

Program Fees

RatesInclusions
USD 1,800 – regular rate for private institutions
  • Cost of tuition
  • Access to all learning materials
  • Training kit
  • Meals and accommodation in Thailand
  • Airport transfer and local transportation in Thailand
USD 600 – subsidized rate (for government employees of any SEAMEO member country)

The participants availing the rates above shall cover their air travel costs to/from Bangkok, Thailand.


Training Grants

SEARCA will be offering limited and competitive grants for a subsidized program fee for nationals of SEAMEO Member Countries (regular employees of government or public universities/colleges). Please indicate in your application if you wish to apply for a SEARCA grant. If your grant application is unsuccessful, you are encouraged to seek sponsorship from your university or other funding institutions.


How to apply

Interested applicants shall first signify their interest in joining the LDP-HEIs by filling out this preliminary registration form. Once complete, applicants shall follow the steps below:

  1. Fill out the online application form.
  2. Attach the required documents below:
    1. Personal Statements Form
    2. Nomination Form
    3. Statement of Commitment Form
    4. Curriculum Vitae (maximum of 3 pages)
    5. Bio page of your passport (at least 6 months validity by May 2024)

All applications shall be completed and submitted by the deadline.

  • 12 February 2024 - Deadline for participants applying for SEARCA grants
  • 27 February 2024 - Deadline for self-funded/sponsored participants

Contact

For any queries, please send an email to using the subject line: 2024 LDP-HEIs.