LEADx Modules
The DIES LEADx programme is a structured blended-learning programme that combines two in-person workshops with synchronous and asynchronous online sessions, interactive, applied learning experiences, and hands-on change initiatives that participants implement with support from experts in a group mentoring setting. The course consists of five modules, each offering practical insights and interactive learning opportunities. Each module was developed and contextualized with high-ranking European and regional experts, in consultation with an advisory board composed of regional higher education organisations. The modules are delivered by a core team of five experts — two from Europe and one each from the three target regions.
Participants explore leadership approaches tailored to higher education institutions in a dynamic environment characterised by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA), focusing on shared and distributed leadership as well as the impact of governance structures and organisational design. They employ strategic foresight tools, such as Future Modelling, to proactively identify and address institutional challenges. Through a blend of theoretical inputs, case studies, and peer learning, participants reflect on their personal values and leadership styles to drive transformative change.
Trainer: Dr. Oliver Vettori
Dean for Accreditation and Quality Management & Director of the Department for Program Management, Teaching and Learning, Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Austria
Dr. Oliver Vettori brings more than 20 years of leadership and management experience to the LEADx Trainer Team. Passionate about quality assurance, digital transformation, and strategic institutional development, he has worked in the field of higher education and research management across 55 countries for various international organizations, including the DAAD, UNESCO, and EU-SHARE, as well as numerous higher education agencies and institutions worldwide. His professional activities are shaped by his academic research. In over 40 publications, Dr. Vettori has (co)authored works on teaching, learning, and research as well as organizational behaviour and public management. Currently, he serves as Dean for Accreditation and Quality Management and Director of the Department for Program Management, Teaching and Learning at WU Vienna.
The Leading Change and Organizational Development training module equips university leaders to drive sustainable transformation through five interconnected sessions. Driving Purposeful Change helps identify priorities, analyze barriers, align with vision, and reflect on leadership growth. Leading Change in Action uses a real-world case study and Change Model to build strategic, collaborative problem-solving skills. Navigating the Change Paradox examines resistance, institutional paradoxes, and leadership strategies through a gallery walk exercise. Leading for the Infinite Game fosters cultures of learning, innovation, and excellence for lasting impact. Finally, Change Leadership in Focus applies the i3 framework to inspire, innovate, and lead continuous growth.
Trainer: Prof. Dr. Duu Sheng Ong
Professor, Multimedia University, Malaysia
When Prof. Dr. Duu Sheng Ong joined Malaysia’s first private university, Multimedia University (MMU), in 1999, he quickly learned to lead change, address emerging institutional challenges, and foster a sustainable and resilient academic environment.In various leadership roles, including Academic Vice President, Director of the Research Management Center, and Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Duu Sheng Ong has guided and significantly advanced the university’s development, overseeing academic strategy, quality assurance, teaching and learning, staff development, and student affairs. Valued for his extensive academic and professional experience, he has been invited to numerous higher education leadership and quality assurance programmes, such as the DIES International Deans’ Course South-East Asia, National Multiplication Trainings, and EU-SHARE. Prof. Dr. Duu Sheng Ong earned his PhD in Electronics Engineering from the University of Sheffield (UK) and his MPhil in Physics from Universiti Malaya (Malaysia).
Participants focus on managing interpersonal and team dynamics by enhancing delegation, team building, and effective communication to foster trust and collaboration. They practice negotiation and conflict resolution techniques — including role-playing and simulations — to address diverse and culturally specific challenges, and to build inclusive, respectful environments. Through case studies and peer consulting, participants develop practical strategies to empower teams and resolve conflicts while promoting diversity, gender equality, and inclusion.
Trainer: Prof. Dr. Melita Kovacevic
Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Prof. Dr. Melita Kovacevic brings more than two decades of experience and expertise in higher education policy-making to the LEADx programme, having served on numerous national and European bodies in this field. Since 2000, she has participated in projects focused on doctoral training, research capacity building, and academic leadership across the European Union, South East Europe, Asia, and Africa. She participated in institutional, programme and agency evaluation both individually and as a member of diverse international teams. In workshops, keynotes and plenary sessions, she delivered more than 150 speeches worldwide. Combining academic excellence with extensive leadership experience, she served as Vice-Rector for Research and Technology at the University of Zagreb from 2006 to 2014. She is currently a Full Professor at the Department of Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Zagreb.
In this module, participants learn to engage external stakeholders and build strategic alliances in higher education, with a focus on regional and European contexts. They further develop skills to manage relationships with ministries, governmental bodies, and key partners while using tools like positioning analysis and benchmarking to identify growth opportunities. Through expert inputs and practical exercises, they explore data-driven decision-making, risk management, and securing third-party funding to support institutional goals and enhance operational efficiency.
Trainer: Dr. Monica Stein
Vice-Rector for Research, Partnership and Collaboration, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala
Dr. Monica Stein contributes a broad range of leadership skills to the LEADx Trainer Team, ranging from academic oversight, stakeholder management and international relations to institutional communication marketing, and recruitment. She currently serves as Vice-Rector for Research, Partnerships, and Collaboration at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG). Beyond her work in higher education institutions, Dr. Stein has built an extensive network of academics, researchers, and policymakers working for the Guatemalan National Secretariat of Science and Technology and consulting on sciences and technology for UNESCO, UNDP, and the IADB. Since 2012, Dr. Stein has shared her expertise in DAAD and HRK-sponsored higher education programmes, including the UNILEAD Women in Academic Leadership workshop in 2019 and the NMT Train the Trainer programme at the University of Potsdam. Before focusing on science and technology management, she worked as a plant biology researcher, collaborating with a range of external partners such as the Global Environment Fund and the Guatemalan sugar industry.
Participants synthesize earlier leadership and change management skills while focusing on personal growth and authentic, values-driven leadership. They deepen self-awareness, refine their leadership styles, and enhance public communication through mentorship, networking, and media training. Emphasizing self-management, intercultural competence, and work-life balance, the module equips participants to lead with resilience, confidence, and authenticity in diverse cultural contexts.
Trainer: Prof. Dr. Monioluwa Omolara Olaniyi
Pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Technology, Innovation and Research, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Nigeria
Through years of dedicated service at her home university in multiple key positions — including Head of Department, Director of the Study Center, Dean of Faculty, and pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Technology, Innovation, and Research — Prof. Dr. Monioluwa Omolara Olaniyi has demonstrated exceptional leadership. She understands what it takes to guide different teams, address contemporary challenges, and adapt to institutional transformation. Committed to fostering innovation and the development of higher education institutions, she has completed several international training programmes, including the International Deans’ Course (earning a Certificate in the Management of Higher Education Institutions) and the Harvard Online Course, through which she obtained a Harvard Bok Higher Education Teaching Certificate. Prof. Olaniyi earned her PhD from the Catholic University of Leuven, as well as Master’s degrees from the University of Ghent (Belgium) and the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), connecting her to a global network of academics and researchers.
