DIES LEADx
DIES LEADx – Leadership for Transforming Higher Education Institutions is an executive international leadership programme designed for female Vice Presidents (or women in equivalent executive senior management positions) from higher education institutions across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. The programme empowers participants to drive institutional transformation through inclusive and collaborative leadership.
DIES LEADx is implemented by the University of Potsdam, under the Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES) programme, which is jointly coordinated by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The programme addresses the increasing need for dynamic and inclusive leadership in higher education. It strengthens leadership, management, and strategic skills among women in senior roles, supporting institutions to navigate complex challenges and promote sustainable development. Through five modules in a blended learning format, participants develop their leadership skills, implement Change Initiatives, and engage in international peer exchange. DIES LEADx is built around a blended learning approach, combining:
- Two in-person workshops at the University of Potsdam, Germany
- Online modules featuring both synchronous and asynchronous learning
- Hands-on implementation of institutional Change Initiatives
- Mentorship by experts and peer learning
Our Vision
DIES LEADx imagines a future where women lead higher education institutions with confidence, innovation, and a deep commitment to collaboration and diversity. Leadership is no longer confined to traditional, hierarchical structures but is reimagined as an inclusive, dynamic force that strengthens institutions and societies alike. Female leaders take an active role in shaping governance, embedding values of equity and participation into the heart of academic decision-making. The community of women emerging from DIES LEADx brings lasting change, creating stronger universities, more just systems, and a global network of leadership that extends beyond borders. In this vision, higher education becomes a space where transformation is not an aspiration, but a reality driven by the leaders of today and tomorrow.
Objectives
DIES LEADx is designed to strengthen leadership and management capacities among female leaders in higher education institutions. Participants sharpen their leadership, management, and strategic skills while developing and implementing Change Initiatives that directly address institutional challenges. The programme supports the growth of inclusive and diverse leadership practices, helping participants to embed cultural change within their universities. Mentoring and peer exchange form a core part of the learning journey, creating a vibrant, sustainable network of women leaders. DIES LEADx encourages participants to drive transformation within their own institutions and to spark broader leadership change across the higher education landscape.
Regional Advisory Board
DIES LEADx is supported by a strong network of regional and international partners. A dedicated Regional Advisory Board, composed of leading higher education organizations, ensures the programme’s regional relevance and strengthens its connections across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.
The Regional Advisory Board includes:
- ASEAN University Network – Gender, Justice and Inclusion Thematic Network (AUN-GJI)
- Espacio Latinoamericano y Caribeño de Educación Superior (ENLACES)
- Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA)
- Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)
These partners contribute valuable expertise, advise on regional needs and trends, and help connect DIES LEADx participants to broader international networks. They also support the dissemination of the programme across the target regions, reinforcing the goal of building a vibrant, collaborative leadership community across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.