Become a Global Leader in University Rankings
Lead the Future of Higher Education Rankings
A 4-day certification program designed for university leaders, researchers, and policymakers to master global ranking systems, enhance institutional performance, and drive strategic impact.
07 Feb to 10 Feb 2026
About UR-LEAD
UR-LEAD: University Rankings Leadership Certification Program
UR-LEAD is an intensive, face-to-face, 4-day certification program that empowers higher education leaders to understand, navigate, and shape global and regional university rankings. Designed by experts and backed by UNIRANKS and Prof. Hesham Metwalli, the program combines deep technical knowledge with practical strategy-building and peer collaboration.
Purpose & Vision
UR-LEAD exists to bridge the gap between ranking data and institutional leadership. Its purpose is to:
- Equip leaders with cutting-edge ranking expertise
- Foster a global community focused on transparency, benchmarking, and improvement
- Develop forward-thinking strategies that elevate universities in a competitive global landscape
Our Vision: To create a new generation of leaders who drive excellence in education through mastery of university rankings and performance metrics.
Prof. Hesham Metwalli
President of the University Rankings International Leadership Council
Why Join UR-LEAD?
Unlock expertise, build global credibility, and lead institutional transformation.
Master Global & Regional Rankings
Understand UNIRANKS, THE, ARWU, US News, QS, Webometrics, and emerging systems. Learn what truly moves the needle in international rankings.
Strategize with Confidence
Design and implement data-driven, results-focused ranking improvement plans customized for your institution.
Join a Global Leadership Network
Access lifetime membership in URILF and become part of an exclusive international community of university leaders and experts.
Access Advanced Toolkits
Use hands-on toolkits for benchmarking, diagnostics, and strategic foresight, built by ranking and data experts.
Learn & Present in a Mini-Conference Format
Share your work, receive expert feedback, and build visibility through conference-style presentations and peer dialogue.
Earn a Prestigious Certification
Receive the UR-LEAD Certificate, awarded by UNIRANKS, and recognized across the global higher education sector as a mark of excellence in university rankings leadership.
Explore Our Leadership Platforms
UR-LEAD operates under the University Rankings International Leadership Council (UR-ILC) and connects with specialized platforms that empower institutions and leaders worldwide. From innovation exchange to global collaboration and leadership forums, each initiative provides unique opportunities to strengthen higher education excellence, ranking performance, and strategic impact.
Welcome to HELIX
HELIX (Higher Education Leadership & Innovation Exchange) is a global hub for advancing leadership, innovation, and excellence in higher education. Powered by UNIRANKS, it connects universities, governments, and industry leaders to co-create transformative solutions, drive impactful research, and foster global competitiveness through its network of Centers of Excellence.
About UR-ILC
The University Rankings International Leadership Council (UR-ILC) unites visionary university leaders, policymakers, and ranking experts to shape the future of higher education rankings. Leveraging UNIRANKS’ vast ecosystem, UR-ILC promotes transparency, innovation, and multi-sector collaboration, ensuring integrity and excellence in institutional performance and global ranking leadership.
About UR-ILF
The University Rankings International Leadership Forum (UR-ILF) is a dynamic professional community for higher education leaders, ranking experts, and policymakers. It fosters collaboration, dialogue, and knowledge exchange, enabling members to access resources, share best practices, and engage in initiatives that enhance institutional visibility, global engagement, and strategic leadership.
What Makes UR-LEAD Unique?
A high-impact certification designed to deliver measurable results.
4 Days (Face-to-Face)
Structured for intensive, outcome-focused learning and leadership immersion.
Mini-Conferences + Workshops + Simulations
A dynamic blend of interactive learning, peer presentations, and expert panels.
Certification & Recognition UR-LEAD Certificate
Endorsed by UNIRANKS & Prof. Hesham Metwalli
- Lifetime membership in URILF
Real Impact on Institutions
Designed to help universities improve their global visibility, performance, and stakeholder engagement through data and strategy.
Core Themes
- Global & Regional Rankings Methodologies
- Benchmarking & Diagnostic Tools
- Future Foresight & Scenario Planning
- Institutional Strategy & Leadership
Collaborative Learning
Participants engage in real-time case studies, group strategy sessions, and ranked university simulations with expert guidance.
Future opportunities
Once you have completed UR-LEAD, you have the opportunity to become a Certified Program Leader for UR-LEAD. Those demonstrating a high level of engagement with the program will be invited. More details will be shared during the UR-LEAD program.
Explore the 4-Day Journey to Rankings Leadership
Each day is designed to build your expertise, sharpen your strategy, and expand your impact.
DAY 1
Foundations & Methodologies
Theme: Foundations, Current Landscape & Ranking Metrics
- The history, evolution, and impact of global/regional rankings
- Deep dive into UNIRANKS, QS, THE, ARWU, US News & others
- Data sources: bibliometrics, surveys, institutional submissions
- Comparative analysis frameworks and harmonization
- Stakeholder expectations and influence
- Mini-Conference: Lightning talks by participants
Learning Method: Interactive lectures, group discussions, case analysis, participant presentations
DAY 2
Benchmarking & Diagnostic Tools
Theme: Benchmarking Performance for Strategic Growth
- Data extraction and harmonization toolkits
- Benchmarking best practices and gap analysis
- Data visualization for reporting and internal alignment
- Case Study: Diagnostic review of a university’s ranking performance
- Mini-Conference: Participant project presentations
Learning Method: Workshops, toolkit demos, applied data exercises
DAY 3
Future Scenarios & Foresight
Theme: Designing for the Future of Rankings
- Trends in DEI, sustainability, student outcomes, digitalization
- Scenario planning for rankings beyond 2030
- New models: impact, interdisciplinary, regional & demographic lenses
- Introduction to URILF & URILC
- Mini-Conference: Peer panels and expert discussions
Learning Method: Scenario building, trend forecasting, peer review sessions
DAY 4
Rankings Leadership & Strategic Action
Theme: Leading Change in the Rankings Era
- Designing institutional strategies for rankings improvement
- From insights to action plans
- Organizational leadership and stakeholder engagement
- Innovation, change management, and impact modeling
- Mini-Conference: Action plan presentations + expert panel Q&A
Learning Method: Simulations, role play, final presentations, expert critique
Learning Benefits:
- Real-world feedback on your ranking strategies
- Build visibility as a rankings and benchmarking leader
- Practice leadership communication and stakeholder framing
- Collaborate with peers from around the world
Mini-Conference Experience: Learn, Share & Lead
At the heart of UR-Lead® is the Mini-Conference—a high-engagement format where every participant contributes, presents, and receives feedback from peers and global experts. It transforms attendees from passive learners into active knowledge leaders.
DAY 1
Lightning Talks
Participants introduce themselves and share insights, challenges, or ranking-related highlights from their institutions.
DAY 2
Research & Case Presentations
Participants present institutional research, ranking projects, or comparative analyses, receiving feedback from facilitators and peers.
DAY 3
Panel Discussions & Future Scenarios
Engage in moderated panels and peer review exercises focused on future foresight, trend mapping, and new ranking paradigms.
DAY 4
Strategic Action Plan Showcase
Each participant presents a personalized Ranking Improvement Strategy—designed during the program—to a panel of experts for feedback and certification assessment.
Learning Benefits:
- Real-world feedback on your ranking strategies
- Build visibility as a rankings and benchmarking leader
- Practice leadership communication and stakeholder framing
- Collaborate with peers from around the world
Mini-Conference Experience: Your Platform to Lead and Share
As part of the UR-Lead® program, participants will engage in the Mini-Conference Experience, a structured opportunity to present, discuss, and receive feedback in a dynamic and interactive setting. It is designed to simulate a global leadership forum, blending professional exchange with practical reflection.
DAY 1
Planned Activities:
Participant Introductions & Lightning Talks
Each participant will briefly present their institutional background, ranking goals, and strategic challenges, fostering early engagement and context sharing.
DAY 2
Research & Project Presentations
Participants are invited to share initial research, benchmarking tools, or diagnostic reviews for open feedback and discussion.
DAY 3
Peer Dialogue & Scenario Discussions
In facilitated panels, participants explore future trends and propose institutional responses, with a focus on forward-thinking leadership.
DAY 4
Action Plan Presentations
Each participant will present a draft of their ranking improvement strategy, with expert feedback to enhance its clarity, viability, and institutional impact.
Why It Matters:
- Create visibility around your leadership journey
- Practice real-time strategy presentation and storytelling
- Learn from peers in diverse institutional and regional contexts
- Build confidence as a change agent in university rankings
Note:
- This will be the first UR-LEAD Mini-Conference, designed to set a new standard in leadership learning through collaborative, high-impact engagement. Participants will help shape a global community of ranking professionals from day one.
Success Stories
What Strategic Leadership Can Achieve
Explore how top universities improved their rankings through vision, investment, and strategy, just like what UR-LEAD prepares you to do.
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Global Leap into the Top 25
NUS strategically invested in international collaboration, faculty excellence, and research productivity, transforming into Asia’s top-ranked university.
Key Takeaway: Long-term planning, global hiring, and research output were central to their rise.
Arizona State University (ASU)
Innovation as a Ranking Strategy
By focusing on innovation, societal impact, and global partnerships, ASU dramatically improved its standing in UNIRANKS, THE and QS rankings.
Key Takeaway: Reputation and relevance matter—ranking success followed institutional identity.
University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia
Breaking into the UNIRANKS, QS Top 200
Through research infrastructure, internationalization, and targeted metric improvement, UM became one of Southeast Asia’s highest-ranked institutions.
Key Takeaway: Local leadership with global benchmarks delivers real progress.
King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia
Fast Ascent in ARWU and THE
KAU focused on recruiting highly cited researchers and elevating research output, leading to rapid growth in global rankings.
Key Takeaway: Targeted strategies can yield significant gains, even within a few years.
Write Your Own Success Story
UR-Lead draws inspiration from these success stories, not to copy, but to equip leaders with the tools to write their own.
💬 “Behind every ranking rise is a leadership decision. UR-Lead prepares you to make it.”
Certification That Signals Global Leadership
Earn recognition that extends far beyond the classroom.
UR-Lead® Certification
Upon successful completion of the 4-day program and mini-conference participation, each attendee will receive the UR-Lead® University Rankings Leadership Certificate, awarded by:
- UNIRANKS – World’s Largest Open University Rankings Ecosystem
This certificate demonstrates mastery in global rankings methodologies, institutional benchmarking, and strategy design.
Future opportunities: Once you have completed UR-LEAD, you have the opportunity to become a Certified Program Leader for UR-LEAD. Those demonstrating a high level of engagement with the program will be invited. More details will be shared during the UR-LEAD program.
Lifetime Membership in UR-ILF
All graduates will receive lifetime access to the University Rankings International Leadership Forum (UR-ILF), an exclusive network of:
- University presidents and vice presidents
- Institutional planning and quality officers
- Higher education consultants and experts
- Global speakers and conference alumni
UR-ILF Membership Benefits:
- Access to exclusive webinars and roundtables
- Priority invitations to UR-LEAD events and mini-conferences
- Opportunities for consulting, collaboration, and research
- A professional community of practice across continents
Sponsorships
Making leadership in university rankings accessible and impactful.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Organizations, universities, and ministries can partner with UR-Lead® to support global leadership in higher education and gain visibility among elite decision-makers.
Tier | Sponsorship OpportunitiesContribution | Sponsorship OpportunitiesBenefits |
|---|---|---|
Strategic | FREE (Governments) | Visibility + participation + long-term collaboration |
Platinum | $50,000 | 1 named scholarship for 3 years + premium brand exposure |
Diamond | $20,000 | Branding, speaking opportunity, recognition across events |
Gold | $10,000 | Brand placement + acknowledgment in program materials |
Sponsors play a key role in supporting transformative education leadership and get lasting visibility through URILF and WHERS conferences. |
Ready to Lead the Rankings Revolution?
Seats are limited. Be part of the first cohort shaping the future of university rankings leadership.
Join senior leaders and experts from around the world in a transformative 4-day experience.
- Applications close on February 1, 2026
- Group discounts and institutional packages available — contact us for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
UR-Lead® is tailored for university presidents, vice presidents, deans, institutional researchers, higher education consultants, quality assurance professionals, and policymakers aiming to specialize in rankings and strategic benchmarking.
