Davos (Switzerland), Jan 19 (NationPress) O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is excited to introduce the inaugural World University Leaders Forum (WULF) at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, marking the first global leadership platform focused on higher education at the Forum.

WULF aims to unite renowned academics and university leaders globally to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange best practices, and collaborate on pressing global issues impacting higher education and society.

The formation of the World University Leaders Forum underscores JGU's enduring dedication to enhancing global academic collaboration and fostering inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development.

Rooted in India’s rich civilizational legacy of higher learning and influenced by the philanthropic vision of Naveen Jindal, JGU has integrated internationalization and cross-border collaboration into its core identity over the last two decades.

WULF offers a democratic global stage where universities from both the Global North and Global South can connect, learn, and co-create groundbreaking solutions.

The Forum aspires to encourage collaborative efforts that tackle common challenges, strengthen academic connections worldwide, and motivate universities to actively contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through teaching, research, policy engagement, community outreach, and global partnerships.

The World University Leaders Forum at the World Economic Forum in Davos will be hosted and facilitated by Professor C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India. Esteemed speakers will include Professor Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University, New York, USA; Professor Sherine Farouk, Assistant Chancellor for Global Partnerships and Impact, Abu Dhabi University, UAE; Professor Joanna Newman, Provost and 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. Together, these global academic leaders will engage in a high-level discourse on the future of higher education and international collaboration aimed at achieving the SDGs.

Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, stated, “O.P. Jindal Global University is the product of the visionary philanthropy of Naveen Jindal, rooted in the belief that higher education should connect minds, cultures, and ideas to benefit humanity. Over the past two decades, JGU has developed into a globally engaged institution, with over 600 partnerships across more than 80 countries, emphasizing dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect. Today, we are proud to launch the World University Leaders Forum at Davos to institutionalize this global engagement on a purpose-driven platform that enables universities from both the Global North and Global South to interact, learn, and lead together. This Forum embodies our belief that universities are essential agents of knowledge, equity, innovation, and sustainable development. As the world faces complex shared challenges, WULF will leverage the collective insight of global university leaders to shape policies, partnerships, and practices that will enhance education and society for future generations.”

The opening panel discussion at Davos will focus on the role universities play in achieving sustainable development goals and building a future rooted in equity, innovation, and resilience. This aligns closely with the key priorities of the World Economic Forum, including fostering cooperation in a contested world, unlocking new avenues for growth, investing wisely in people, responsibly deploying large-scale innovation, and building prosperity within planetary limits.

WULF signifies a pivotal moment in global higher education leadership and the continuation of JGU’s mission to promote global academic dialogue, institutional collaboration, and societal impact.

“The World University Leaders Forum (WULF) envisions a globally interconnected, inclusive, and democratic ecosystem in higher education where universities from all regions collaborate to advance knowledge, confront global challenges, and contribute positively to the public good. At JGU, we aim to illustrate that internationalization in higher education is about forming lasting intellectual, institutional, and human ties across borders,” remarked Dr C. Raj Kumar, who will also chair the panel discussion.

The distinguished panelists will consist of academics and leaders from some of the world’s foremost institutions. The Forum seeks to promote global dialogue among leaders regarding higher education practices and policies, encourage collaborative initiatives addressing shared global challenges, bolster academic connections, motivate universities to take a proactive stance in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and foster a community of university leaders dedicated to innovation, equity, and sustainability.

The World University Leaders Forum represents the natural culmination and institutionalization of nearly two decades of sustained global engagement by O.P. Jindal Global University. From early national conferences on higher education and globalization to hosting significant regional and global gatherings—including the Asia Pacific Higher Education Summit and the upcoming Global Conference of STAR Scholars in December 2026—JGU has consistently showcased leadership in shaping global academic discourse.

The fundamental 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 collectively contribute to sustainable development, social progress, and global well-being;
• Promote the role of universities as agents of knowledge creation, dissemination, equity, and innovation.

The core themes of the World University Leaders Forum align with the primary 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.