Leaders of higher education institutions play a crucial role for the development of their institutions and countries. By far more men than women are represented in leading positions. Gender equity in higher education management positions seems to be hard to achieve, due to a bundle of difficulties women face. Identifying barriers for gender equity, listening and discussing good (and bad) practices from all over the world will help developing adapted and useful measures.

The conference was organised in the framework of the „Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES)“ Programme – which is jointly conducted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK). This programme aims at encouraging international exchange of experience on questions of innovative higher education policy. Given its high relevance for development policy, the question of how to strengthen gender balanced management of higher education institutions will become a focus for DIES activities in the next years. The conference therefore analysed the potential and prepare recommendations for programme development on this important topic.

Achieved Conference Outcomes:

At the end of the conference participants have:

• Taken stock of the current “gender situation” in higher education leadership in developing and industrialised countries and analysed the main obstacles for gender equity;
• Shared and discussed good practices for women enhancement with participants from all over the world;
• Identified enhancement measures, that can be integrated into the DAAD/DIES programme portfolio;
• Created an international network.

Target Groups:

100 representatives from higher education and research institutions and from donor organisations. Institutional leaders, experts for gender issues, equal opportunities officers, scientists and member from institutions, that work actively for gender equity.