JGU launches World University Leaders Forum at WEF Davos
In January, JGU launched the inaugural World University Leaders Forum (WULF) at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Davos, the first global higher education leadership platform of its kind at the WEF. The inaugural session of WULF brought together distinguished academics and university leaders from around the world to engage in dialogue, share best practices, and collaborate on shared global challenges facing higher education and society.
The establishment of the WULF by JGU reflects the university’s longstanding commitment to advancing global academic collaboration and contributing to inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. JGU has, over the past two decades, made internationalisation and sustained global engagement central to its institutional hallmark.
At the inauguration of WULF, JGU, in collaboration with J3D.AI and the House of Collaboration 2026, organised a distinguished Panel Discussion at WEF. The theme of the panel discussion was ‘Universities in Global Governance: Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through Knowledge, Policy, and Partnership’. The Distinguished Panellists included Professor Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University, New York, USA; Professor Sherine Farouk, Assistant Chancellor for Global Partnerships and Impact, Abu Dhabi University, UAE; Professor C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, JGU (Chair & Moderator); Professor Joanna Newman, Provost & Deputy Vice Chancellor, SOAS University of London, UK; Professor Masa Inakage, Dean, Keio University Graduate School of Media Design, Tokyo, Japan; and Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, London, UK.
You may view the full panel discussion of the WULF in Davos at the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHwx0lJ3InY
Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, JGU, and also the Chair of the panel discussion said, “Collaboration and Partnership for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential. The need is for universities to collaborate with other sectors, including industry, government, and NGOs, to advance SDGs. The importance of making sustainability a priority from the beginning will define the future agenda of any institution. This discussion on SDGs in universities highlights the critical role of higher education in preparing future leaders, conducting impactful research, and fostering global collaboration. There is a need for interdisciplinary and collaborative research, embedding sustainability in curricula, and the necessity of universities to be neutral and evidence-based in their contributions.”
The panel discussion emphasised the need for universities to address the gap between academic skills and market demands, particularly in the context of technological disruption. WULF was seen as a platform for enhancing collaboration and advancing SDGs through shared knowledge and strategic partnerships. This high-level dialogue marked the official launch of the Sustainable Development Report 2025 by JGU.
WULF provides a democratic global platform through which universities from the Global North and the Global South can interact, learn from one another, and co-create innovative solutions. The Forum aims to promote collaborative initiatives that address shared challenges, strengthen academic linkages worldwide, and encourage universities to play a proactive role in advancing the SDGs through teaching, research, policy engagement, community outreach and global partnerships.
Speaking about WULF, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said, “JGU was founded through the visionary philanthropy of Mr. Naveen Jindal, grounded in the belief that higher education must connect minds, cultures, and ideas to serve humanity. Over the last two decades, JGU has built a globally connected university — anchored in over 600 partnerships across more than 80 countries, and rooted in dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect. Today, we launch the World University Leaders Forum at Davos to institutionalise this global engagement in a purpose-driven platform where universities from the Global North and Global South can interact, learn from one another, and lead together. This Forum embodies our conviction that universities are vital agents of knowledge, equity, innovation, and sustainable development. As the world navigates complex shared challenges, WULF will harness the collective wisdom of global university leaders to shape policies, partnerships, and practices that advance education and society for generations to come.”
WULF represents a significant milestone in global higher education leadership and the next chapter in JGU’s mission of fostering global academic dialogue, institutional collaboration, and societal impact.
“The WULF envisions a globally connected, inclusive, and democratic higher education ecosystem where universities from all regions of the world collaborate to advance knowledge, address global challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the public good. We at JGU have sought to demonstrate that internationalisation in higher education is about building enduring intellectual, institutional, and human connections across borders,” remarked Dr. C. Raj Kumar.
The Forum aims to facilitate global dialogue among global leaders on higher education practice and policy, promote collaborative initiatives addressing shared global challenges, strengthen academic linkages, encourage universities to play a proactive role in advancing the UN SDGs and build a community of university leaders committed to innovation, equity and sustainability.
The WULF represents the natural culmination and institutionalisation of nearly two decades of sustained global engagement by JGU. From early national conferences on higher education and globalisation to world university summits, to hosting major regional and global convenings — including the Asia Pacific Higher Education Summit, and the forthcoming Global Conference of STAR Scholars in December 2026 — JGU has consistently demonstrated leadership in shaping global academic dialogue.
The foundational aim of the World University Leaders Forum is to: create an open and inclusive global platform for university leaders to engage in dialogue on critical issues facing higher education and society; foster collaboration across the Global North and Global South, East and West; enable universities to contribute collectively to sustainable development, social progress, and global well-being; and promote the role of universities as agents of knowledge creation, dissemination, equity, and innovation.
The fundamental themes of the World University Leaders Forum align with the key objectives of the World Economic Forum’s focus on
- Cooperation in a more contested world
- Unlocking new sources of growth
- Investing better in people
- Responsibly deploying innovation at scale
- Building prosperity within planetary boundaries
Read more:
https://www.ptinews.com/press-release/world-university-leaders-forum-advances-sdgs-through-knowledge-policy-and-partnership-at-the-world-economic-forum-at-davos/3318833
https://thewire.in/ptiprnews/jgu-launches-world-university-leaders-forum-at-wef-davos-a-global-platform-for-university-led-solutions
