special event
Welcome to the 2025 GUS Partners Conference

Global University Systems is hosting a closed-door conference for GUS’s C-level executives and their professional partners, offering an exclusive opportunity to explore the future of education.
Over 2 and a half days attendees will engage in intensive learning, immersive experiences, team building, and exciting activities. This is a unique platform to showcase your products and services to more than 120 leaders in higher education serving the needs of 2m + students between them.
Key topics will include the evolving landscape of education, the impact of new technologies on learning models, and how innovations like the Metaverse, Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Augmented Reality (AR) are shaping the future of educational institutions.
23-25
March 2025
Who is Attending?
We have another incredible conference ahead of us with another amazing set of attendees, including over 120 delegates from across the globe.
GUS UK
Arden University, University of Law, LCCM, LCCA, The Language Gallery, LAT
GUS Ireland
Institute of Business and Technology, Dublin
GUS Canada
University Canada West, University of Niagara Falls, Ontario Institute of Health & Management, CCTB, Niagara College Toronto, Trebas Institute, The Language Gallery Canada
GUS GERMANY
BSBI, UE, GISMA, HTK
GUS Europe
UE Amsterdam, BSBI Paris, BSBI Barcelona
GUS India
UPES, Pearl Academy
GUS Australia
Representation from GUS Australia Partner Team
Partner Universities USA
Chicago Concordia, Webster University, Avila University, LIM College, Penn State
Partner Universities UK
Canterbury Christchurch University, University of Gloucester, Nottingham, Goldsmiths, University of London, Trent University, University of York, University of Leeds, University College London, University of Roehampton, London Brunel University, University for the Creative Arts, St. Mary’s University, Bishop Grosseteste University, University of Chichester, University of Central Lancashire, Goldsmiths University, Liverpool, Newcastle, Southampton.
Our Sponsors
Many thanks to our amazing 2025 sponsors
Would you like to be part of this exceptional event, where influential minds come together to shape the future of education?
We have created exclusive sponsorship opportunities for companies looking to contribute to the exciting dialogue on the future of learning by offering their tailored products and services.
Headline Sponsor
Showcase your services-
3 roll-up banners displayed throughout the event space
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Sponsor video on the media screens during the event
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Sponsor logo on digital event RSVP form
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Sponsor logo digital event Thank You letter
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10 passes to the event
Welcome Cocktail Party Sponsor
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2 roll-up banners displayed in the event space
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Sponsor video featured on media screens during the cocktail hour
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A 10-minute speaking opportunity during the cocktail reception
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5 VIP passes for sponsors
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Lunch Sponsor
(1st or 2nd day)
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1 roll-up banner displayed in the event space
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Sponsor video featured on media screens during lunch
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A seat on the panel discussion at the main conference
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3 VIP passes for sponsors
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Breakfast Sponsor
(2nd or 3rd day)
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1 roll-up banner displayed in the event space
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Marketing literature placement on the chairs
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3 VIP passes for sponsors
Coffee Break Sponsor
Morning/Afternoon
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1 roll-up banner displayed in the event space
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2 VIP passes for sponsors
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Planned Schedule of Events
NB: Until the schedule is finalised the below is subject to change
Day 1 Sunday 23rd March
Lights, Camera, Innovation: GUS Partners Conference Opening Night
Venue: Diane Room, Le Majestic Hotel, Cannes, France
17:00 – 17:30 Welcome Drinks
Venue: Diane Room, Le Majestic Hotel, Cannes, France
17:30 – 18:15 Movie Narrative and Highlights
“Mannu Kya Karegga” (What Will Mannu Do?)
Venue: Diane Room, Le Majestic Hotel, Cannes, France
18:15 – 19:15 Panel Discussion
Purpose Meet Passion: Aligning Education with Ikigai Moderator: (TBC) Panellists: * Josh Berger, former CEO of Warner Brothers Entertainment * Iris Knobloch, President of the Cannes Film Festival * Aaron Etingen, Chairman and CEO of GUS (TBC) * Sharad Mehra, CEO of GUS - Asia Pacific (TBC) * Professor Maurits van Rooijen, Chief Academic Officer, GUS (TBC)

19:15 – 19:30 Music Trailer & Performance
19:30 – 20:30 Pre-Dinner Cocktails
20:30 – 23:00 Dinner
Day 2 Monday 24th March
Shaping the Future of Higher Education: Global Trends, Collaboration, and Opportunities
Venue: Diane Room, Le Majestic Hotel, Cannes, France
Conference Moderator: Jo Johnson, Chairman, FutureLearn (TBC)
09:00 – 09:30 Registration and Networking
09:30 – 09:40 Welcome Address
Aaron Etingen, CEO, Global University Systems
09:40 – 10:00 Keynote Address
"Navigating the Future of Higher Education in an Era of Political and Economic Uncertainty" Speaker: Rajika Bhandari, Ph.D., Principal, Rajika Bhandari Advisors
10:00 – 11:10 Panel Discussion 1
“Adapting to Uncertainty: Global Perspectives on Higher Education Policy and Strategy" Moderator: Jo Johnson, Chairman, FutureLearn (TBC): Panellists: * Rajika Bhandari, Ph.D., Principal, Rajika Bhandari Advisors (TBC) * Cyndi McLeod, CEO, GUS Canada (TBC) * Ernst Suganandarajah, Managing Director, GUS Germany (TBC) * Dr Abhishek Sinha, Dean, School of Law and Head of Internationality, GUS India (TBC) * Peter Crisp, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, The University of Law (TBC)
11:10 – 11:30 Coffee and Networking
Coffee and Networking Break - Sponsored by Intelegencia
11:30 – 12:30 Panel Discussion 2
"AI, Virtual Reality and the Metaverse: The Next Frontier in Higher Education" Introduction by Georg Olowson, AI Governance Leader at IBM – Panel Moderator Panellists: * Professor Dr Kyriakos Kouveliotis, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Berlin School of Business and Innovation (TBC) * C B Arun Kumar, Dean - Communication, Film and Gaming, Pearl Academy (TBC)

12:30 – 13:45 Networking Lunch
13:45 – 14:45 - Panel Discussion 3
"Sustainability in Higher Education: Driving the Agenda Beyond 2025" Introduction by Matthew Steven Gould MBE, Chief Executive Officer of Zoological Society of London - Panel Moderator Panellists: * Yuliya Etingen, Chief Impact Officer, GUS (TBC) * Sagi Hartov, CEO of GUS Germany (TBC) * Professor Rahul Nainwal, Director, School of Business at UPES (TBC)
14:45 – 15:45 Panel Discussion 4
“Universities as Engines of Community Revitalisation: Driving Economic, Social, and Cultural Transformation" Moderator: Cyndi McLeod, CEO, GUS Canada (TBC) Panellists (TBC): * Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada (TBC)
15:45 – 16:05 Coffee and Networking Break
Coffee and Networking Break - Sponsored by Easy Transfer Global
16:05 – 17:30 Roundtable Discussion
Interactive: Moderator: Jo Johnson, Chairman, FutureLearn (TBC)
17:45 – 18:00 Closing Remarks and Q&A
Speaker: Professor Maurits van Rooijen, Chief Academic Officer, GUS (TBC)
18:00 End of Conference
Day 3 Tuesday 25th March
10:00 – 12:00 Team Building
Team Building – Game of Pétanque
12:00 – 14:00 Lunch
