Arrive as an invitee. Leave as an Initiative Founder.
WUF Founders' Council 27 · Re-Imagine University
The seats are limited, and they are offered first to those who answer first.
Four initiatives, four boards
In collaboration with the World Summit on Universities.
- 4 daysTuesday to Friday
- 4 initiativesIDU, AUD, SUAR, the Authors' Corner
- 4 Founding Boardsconstituted on the Founding Day
- 1 placethe Council, the stay and every meal under one roof
- 10 monthsfrom the Founding Day to the World Summit on Universities
- 1 packageparticipation, three nights, all meals and transfers
Why this gathering, why now
The oldest institution of knowledge has never had a table of its own
The university is the most trusted institution humanity has built for knowledge. It educates, discovers and serves on every continent. Yet the world’s universities have never had a common table at which all of them sit as equals.
- 35,000+ universities
- 200+ countries
- 260+ million students
- 15+ million academics
- 20+ million administrative staff
- 1+ million executives and leaders
More than 80 percent of the world’s universities have never had a seat at the global table.
The forums that exist speak for a part of the whole: the largest, the oldest, the most ranked, or a single region. Universities in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and South Asia, the Middle East and the small island states, community and technical institutions, young universities and those that teach online, are too often observed rather than heard.
The World Universities Foundation exists to change that. A voice of that kind cannot be announced from above. It has to be founded by the people it will speak for, and carried by them. That is the purpose of the Founders’ Council.
The table at which the future of universities is decided has been small. FC27 widens it.
A letter from the Founder
Dear colleague,
Universities have shaped every society that has ever believed in knowledge. In all their recent history, however, they have never had a table of their own: a place where a young college in a small island state and a research university with centuries behind it sit side by side, as colleagues, and decide together what the university must become.
On 26 January 2027, in Antalya, Türkiye, the World Universities Foundation, WUF, opens that table. The WUF Founders’ Council [FC27] is the gathering at which our proposed initiatives receive their founders. I am inviting you to be one of them: not as a guest who listens to plans made elsewhere, but as an Initiative Founder, your voice setting the course of an initiative, your name standing in its founding roll, and your university holding its seat in the World University Family.
In November 2027 we return to Antalya for the World Summit on Universities, WSU, to present and announce to the world what we have built together. The road begins in January, and it begins with the leaders who take their seats now.
Prof. Bassem Khafagy
Founder and Secretary General, World Universities Foundation
The Founders' Council
A gathering and a body
The WUF Founders’ Council is two things at once: the gathering held every January, and the standing body to which every Initiative Founder belongs.
As a gathering, it meets once a year. Its name stays the same; its theme changes with every edition. Each edition founds new initiatives and reviews and renews those founded before, so that the work of WUF is always carried by people who chose to take responsibility for it.
As a body, it grows with every edition. Every Initiative Founder is a member of the Founders’ Council and is invited back each year: to report on the work of their board, to welcome the Initiative Founders of new initiatives and to set the course of the year ahead.
FC27 is the inaugural Council. It forms the first four Founding Boards and opens the founding roll, the permanent record of the Initiative Founders. The Council founds; it does not declare. The boards carry their work to the World Summit on Universities in Antalya, Türkiye, 7 to 12 November 2027, where the results are presented and adopted.
Four tracks
Four initiatives, four boards
FC27 works in four tracks. Each track belongs to one WUF initiative and forms its Founding Board. Every participant chooses one initiative when taking a seat.
- International Day of Universities (IDU)One day every year, 7 November, on which the world recognizes every university. The track prepares the adoption by university leaders in November 2027 and the first celebration on 7 November 2028.The initiative
- Antalya University Declaration (AUD)A universal declaration on the future of the university. The track agrees the drafting method and the consultation calendar; its board leads the text to adoption in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2027.The initiative
- State of Universities Annual Report (SUAR)WUF's flagship annual report on where the world's universities stand, and where they must go. The track sets the framework of SUAR27, the founding edition.The initiative
- The Authors' CornerWhere the ideas shaping higher education meet the leaders shaping universities. The track shapes the next chapter of the initiative, prepares the annual Authors' Corner Selection and hosts the Council's authors' evening.The initiative
Each initiative is presented in full in its own WUF document in the WUF Library.
What every Initiative Founder leaves with
- A founding roleFounding Board member or Initiative Founding Member, conferred on the Founding Day.
- A place in the founding rollThe permanent record of the Initiative Founders, published by WUF.
- A certificate of foundingNaming the initiative and the role, presented at the closing session.
- Complimentary WUF Membership through 2027For your university in the World University Family.
- A roadmap shaped in the roomThe milestones of the initiative to November 2027, agreed by its board.
- A seat in the work aheadConsultation through the year, and the results presented at the World Summit on Universities.
Two roles
Two roles, one founding
Every participant takes part in one initiative and leaves with one of two roles. Both are founding roles, and both are named in the founding roll.
Founding Board
The core that carries the initiative through the year. Its chair is appointed by WUF in advance and forms a founding core. Further seats are earned in the tracks, by those whose contribution shows the board what it needs. The board meets on the Founding Day: it elects its vice-chairs, assigns working roles and adopts its road to November 2027. Board places are offered by invitation.
By invitationInitiative Founding Members
Every other participant in the track: named in the founding roll of the initiative, consulted by the board through the year, invited back to every Founders’ Council, and eligible for board seats as the initiative grows. Places as Initiative Founding Members are open now to leaders of every type of university and every region.
Open now, register
The program
Four days, from arrival to founding
- Tuesday 26 January
Arrival and opening
- Arrival and airport transfers; registration opens
- Briefing of the four chairs and their founding cores
- Opening of the Council by the Founder and Secretary General
- Welcome dinner
- Wednesday 27 January
The day of the tracks
- Keynotes and plenary on Re-Imagine University
- The four initiatives presented to all participants
- Four tracks: purpose and scope, then open consultation
- The authors' evening
- Thursday 28 January
Founding Day
- The tracks set the road to November 2027
- Constitutive meetings of the four Founding Boards
- Reports of the board chairs to the plenary
- Closing session, certificates and gala dinner
- Friday 29 January
Departures
- A meeting of the four chairs with the Secretary General
- Departures and airport transfers
Keynote speakers, chairs and the detailed program are published on this page as they are confirmed.
Signature moments
- The openingThe Founder and Secretary General’s address on Re-Imagine University, and the four initiatives in one frame.
- The authors’ eveningAuthors, publishers and university presses with the leaders of higher education, book in hand.
- The Founding DayFour Founding Boards meet for the first time and adopt their roads to November 2027.
- The founding rollThe initiatives announced within WUF, their Initiative Founders named and certificates conferred.
Who takes part
Every type of university, every region, every stakeholder
FC27 is composed with the same balance that WUF builds into everything it convenes.
Every type of university
- Public and private
- Research and teaching
- Technical and professional
- Regional and community
- Large and small, old and new
- On campus and online
- Specialized colleges and institutes
Every region
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- The Middle East
- North America
- Oceania and the small island states
Every stakeholder
- Presidents, rectors and vice-chancellors
- Deans, provosts and senior academics
- Heads of research, quality and international affairs
- Ministries and public bodies
- Associations and networks
- Authors, publishers and university presses
- Companies and innovators
The place
Antalya, Türkiye, on the Mediterranean in winter
FC27 meets at the Ducale Lara Resort in Kundu, on the Lara coast of Antalya, close to Antalya Airport. Antalya stands at the meeting point of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It is one of WUF’s two headquarters, with San Diego, California, and the city whose name the Antalya University Declaration carries. In January the coast is calm and clear, and the Taurus mountains stand white above the bay.
The Council is held in one place from arrival to departure. Participants stay at the resort, meet in its halls and share every meal, so that the conversations of the tracks continue at the table, on the terraces and along the shore: a neutral and accessible place where leaders of every region meet as equals.
The Council stay
One package, everything included
The Council stay is one package. It covers participation in every session of the Council, three nights at the Ducale Lara Resort from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 January 2027, all meals including the welcome dinner and the gala dinner, and the transfers between Antalya Airport and the resort.
- Initiative Founder€650One participant, single room
- 3 room nights in a single room (26, 27 and 28 January)
- Ultra all-inclusive stay at the Ducale Lara Resort
- Airport transfer on arrival (26 January)
- Council pack and FC27 gifts
- Welcome reception and dinner (26 January)
- Every session: keynotes, plenary and your initiative's track
- Coffee breaks and official lunches
- The authors' evening (27 January)
- Gala dinner (28 January)
- An Initiative founding role
- Your name in the Initiative founding roll
- Official certificate of Initiative founding
- Complimentary WUF Membership through 2027
- Formal invitation and, when needed, a visa support letter
- Airport transfer on departure (29 January)
- 15% Discount on WUF events during 2027
- Initiative Founder with a guest€750One participant and an accompanying guest sharing a room; the guest joins the meals, the dinners and the evenings
- 3 room nights in a room for two (26, 27 and 28 January)
- Ultra all-inclusive stay for both at the Ducale Lara Resort
- Airport transfer on arrival for both (26 January)
- Council pack and FC27 gifts
- Welcome reception and dinner for both (26 January)
- Every session for the participant: keynotes, plenary and a track
- Coffee breaks and official lunches
- The authors' evening for both (27 January)
- Gala dinner for both (28 January)
- An Initiative founding role
- The participant's name in the Initiative founding roll
- Official certificate of Initiative founding
- Complimentary WUF Membership through 2027
- Formal invitation and, when needed, a visa support letter
- Airport transfer on departure for both (29 January)
- 15% Discount on WUF events during 2027
- Two Initiative Founders€850Two participants sharing a room, each with a founding role and a seat in a track
- 3 room nights in a shared room (26, 27 and 28 January)
- Ultra all-inclusive stay for both at the Ducale Lara Resort
- Airport transfer on arrival for both (26 January)
- Two Council packs and FC27 gifts for both
- Welcome reception and dinner for both (26 January)
- Every session for both: keynotes, plenary and a track each
- Coffee breaks and official lunches
- The authors' evening for both (27 January)
- Gala dinner for both (28 January)
- Two Initiative founding roles
- Both names in the Initiative founding roll
- Two official certificates of Initiative founding
- Complimentary WUF Membership through 2027
- Formal invitations and, when needed, visa support letters
- Airport transfer on departure for both (29 January)
- 15% Discount on WUF events during 2027 for both
Rates in euros, per room, for the whole stay.
Pay by card at registration. Payment confirms the place.
Access for every region. With the support of access partners, WUF hosts a limited number of places for leaders from universities with few resources, decided case by case. Requests are made with the invitation request on the registration page.
Five steps
How to take your seat
- RegisterAt W-U-F.org/FC27-Join: your details, your initiative and your package. Initiative Founding Member places are open to leaders of every type of university and every region; Founding Board seats are offered by invitation from the Secretary General.
- Choose your initiativeIDU, the Antalya University Declaration, SUAR or the Authors’ Corner, one track for each participant.
- Pay the Council stayBy card.
- Receive your documentsA formal invitation naming your role, the program, your receipt and, when needed, a visa support letter.
- Confirm with your universityAn authorized officer confirms the participation and the Complimentary WUF Membership through 2027.
Speakers, authors, publishers, partners and leaders who wish to be considered for a Founding Board seat are welcome at FC27@W-U-F.org or through the invitation request on the registration page.
Complimentary WUF Membership
A founding year in the World University Family
Every university that takes part in FC27 receives Complimentary WUF Membership through 2027: a place in the World University Family, the membership of WUF. Its members carry the agenda of WUF into their own countries and regions, and bring the needs of their regions back to the global table.
- A seat and a voice · A place in the family and a voice in its priorities.
- Data and insight · WUF reports, data and benchmarks on the university world.
- Gatherings · Places at WUF summits, forums, workshops and digital roundtables.
- Development · Frameworks, training and certification for leaders and staff.
- Recognition · A stage for achievements, through WUF awards and publications.
- Connection · Partners and peers in every region of the world.
From 2028 the membership continues at the fee published on W-U-F.org/membership.
Partnership
Roles open to partners
Institutions, foundations, companies and public bodies can stand behind the founding of WUF’s initiatives. Each role is agreed with WUF, and partners are named only once confirmed. No partner shapes the findings, the text or the decisions of any board.
- Council partner · Stands behind the Council as a whole, from the opening to the founding roll.
- Track partner · Stands behind one initiative and its Founding Board through the year.
- Access partner · Hosts places for leaders from universities with few resources.
- Authors’ evening partner · Stands behind the evening at which authors, publishers and leaders meet.
- Founding Day partner · Stands behind the day on which the boards are constituted and the Initiative Founders named.
- Knowledge partner · Brings data, research or expertise to a track.
Partnership requests are welcome at FC27@W-U-F.org.
Questions
Questions
Who can register?
Leaders of every type of university and every region, and the stakeholders who shape universities: ministries and public bodies, associations and networks, authors, publishers and university presses, companies and innovators. Initiative Founding Member places are open by registration; Founding Board seats are offered by invitation.
What does the package include?
Participation in every session, three nights at the Ducale Lara Resort (26 to 29 January 2027), all meals including the welcome dinner and the gala dinner, the transfers between Antalya Airport and the resort, the Council pack and FC27 gifts, Complimentary WUF Membership through 2027 and a 15% discount on WUF events during 2027.
Can I bring a guest?
Yes. The Initiative Founder with a guest package (€750) covers one participant and an accompanying guest sharing a room; the guest joins the meals, the dinners and the evenings.
Can two colleagues share a room?
Yes. The Two Initiative Founders package (€850) covers two participants sharing a room, each with a founding role and a seat in a track.
How do I pay?
By card at registration. Payment confirms the place.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your nationality. WUF sends a visa support letter to every registered participant who asks for one.
What is the language of the Council?
English.
Is there a hosted place for my university?
With the support of access partners, WUF hosts a limited number of places for leaders from universities with few resources, decided case by case. Ask for one with the invitation request on the registration page.
When are the speakers announced?
Keynote speakers, chairs and the detailed program are published on this page as they are confirmed.
The document
FC27 · WUF Founders' Council 27: Re-Imagine University PDF · 24 pages
Document 10 of the WUF series: the letter of the Founder, the executive summary and the full program of the Council.
Strategic partners
The call
Take your seat
Every institution that has lasted began with a small number of people who agreed to take responsibility for it before it existed. The universities of the world now have the chance to do this together, for the first time, at a table where each of them sits as an equal. The seats are limited, and they are offered first to those who answer first.
In collaboration with the World Summit on Universities.