JGU launches World University Leaders Forum at WEF Davos to boost global higher education collaboration

OP Jindal Global University (JGU) has launched a World University Leaders Forum (WULF) at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Davos. The first global higher education leadership platform has been established to bring academics and university leaders from across the globe to share their practices, and collaborate on shared global challenges facing higher education and society.

The WULF will also provide a “democratic” global platform through which universities from the global north and south can interact, learn, and co-create innovative solutions, as per the official press release.

The forum aims to promote collaborative initiatives that address shared challenges, boost academic links worldwide, and encourage universities to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through teaching, research, and policy engagement, community outreach and global partnerships.

C Raj Kumar, founding vice chancellor, OP Jindal Global University, said: “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," Raj Kumar added.

Also read IIM Jammu chairman Milind P Kamble to lead DICCI delegation at WEF 2026 in Davos

JGU to launch Sustainable Development Report 2025

The university will also launch Sustainable Development report 2025 on January 22 at 3 pm at Davos, Switzerland.

The global academic leaders, who will be part of the WULF will contribute to a high-level dialogue on the future of higher education and global collaboration in the context of fulfilling the SDGs, according to the official statement.

The panel discussion at Davos will focus on the role of universities in advancing sustainable development goals and building a future grounded in equity, innovation, and resilience.

“It aligns closely with the core priorities of the World Economic Forum, including cooperation in a contested world, unlocking new sources of growth, investing better in people, responsibly deploying innovation at scale, and building prosperity within planetary boundaries,” the statement reads.

In addition, the objective of the forum is also to facilitate global dialogue among global leaders on higher education practice and policy, and promote collaborative initiatives addressing shared global challenges.

It also aims to strengthen academic linkages, encourage universities to play a proactive role in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and build a community of university leaders committed to innovation, equity and sustainability.

As per the fundamental themes of the WULF align with the key objectives of the WEF, cooperation in a more contesting world, unlocking new sources of growth, investing better in people, responsibly deploying innovation at scale, and building prosperity within planetary boundaries are the primary goals of the educational platform.

Raj Kumar will present the WULF at the WEF Davos where several distinguished speakers will take part such as Marvin Krislov, president, Pace University, New York, USA; Sherine Farouk, assistant chancellor for Global Partnerships and Impact, Abu Dhabi University, UAE; Joanna Newman, provost and deputy vice-chancellor, SOAS University of London, UK; Masa Inakage, dean, Keio University Graduate School of Media Design, Tokyo, Japan; and Ashwin Fernandes, executive director, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, London, UK.

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by the OP Jindal University and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative