3rd Annual Hanseatic League of Universities Conference
May 15 – 17, 2023

Vectors of Resilience

Join over 200 representatives and more than 70 university delegates at this international conference focused on collaboration, communication, and leadership. The conference theme, Vectors of Resilience, invites attendees to share their perspectives as we recognize the evolution of our institutions, the innovations in research and learning, and the real impact it has on advancing higher education worldwide.

The Vectors of Resilience conference is hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University, a top-ranked university located in sunny Southwest Florida. The FGCU community, and the entire region, represent the power of resilience with their commitment and adaptability to rebuild stronger after the destruction of Hurricane Ian.

Dr. Michael V. Martin, FGCU President

This conference is a testament to the time, effort, and energy we all have put in to push higher education forward in our institutions, in our communities, and around the globe. I invite you to join me in celebrating our accomplishments as we come together to further collaboration and innovation.

Dr. Michael V. Martin, FGCU President

Announcing the WURI Ranking for 2023!

The World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) evaluates higher education’s contributions to society, highlighting universities’ creative and innovative approaches to research and educational programs.

This year, more than 300 universities worldwide are participating with more than 1,100 innovative programs. The final ranking of 2023 will be exclusively unveiled on the last day of the conference based on six categories:

  1. Industrial Application, rather than the traditional ways of counting research papers and lecture-type teaching.
  2. Value-Creating startups and entrepreneurship, rather than a traditional focus on the number of jobs filled.
  3. Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Integrity, rather than a focus on knowledge and skills just for material success.
  4. Student Mobility and Openness for exchange and collaboration between schools and across national borders, rather than an independent yet closed system.
  5. Crisis Management in the midst of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other global and local crises.
  6. Progress during the Fourth Industrial Revolution through digital technology, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud services, blockchain, and so on.

Learn more about WURI and view past rankings

Conference Program Schedule

May
15th

Day One: Monday, May 15

  • Meet the Dean Appointments
  • Reception and Welcome Beach Party at Azuls

May
16th

Day Two: Tuesday, May 16

  • Opening Ceremony
  • Keynote Speakers
  • Workshops featuring panelists tied to the six pillars
  • Breakfast and lunch provided

May
17th

Day Three: Wednesday, May 17

  • Closing Session
  • Site Visits tied to the six pillars
  • WURI Rankings and Marquee Event
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided

Featured Keynote Speakers

A philosopher whose work has combined teaching and scholarship with local and global engagement, Lynn has written extensively on medical ethics, metaphysics, public policy, and the philosophy of law. Her most recent book, What We Value: Public Health, Social Justice, and Educating for Democracy, examines the role of higher education in addressing some of the most pressing contemporary issues at the intersection of ethics, law, and public policy.

When Daniel joined The Economist in 1983, he wrote about Soviet and East European affairs. He then served as the European editor from 1986 to 1992, where he covered the great European upheavals, from the collapse of Communism to the signing of the Maastricht treaty. He published Megachange: The World in 2050 in 2012 and Megatech: Technology in 2050 in 2017. In addition to being Executive Editor, Daniel also serves as the U.S. Editor.

TIME magazine has called her “Africa’s premier diva” and named her one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2021. The BBC included her in its list of the continent’s 50 most iconic figures, and in 2011, The Guardian listed her as one of their “Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World.” Forbes magazine has ranked Angelique as the first woman in their list of the “Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa.”

May
15th

Pre-Conference: COIL/VE Workshop

As part of the conference registration, attendees are invited to attend a pre-conference workshop: the Collaborative Online International Learning/Virtual Exchange (COIL/VE) Workshop on May 15 on the FGCU campus.

This one-day workshop will include two sessions facilitated by the University of Florida (UF) International Center and the UF Center for Latin American Studies. The COIL/VE Workshop is an opportunity to participate in a professional development seminar to discover the benefit of the COIL/VE as a resource for internationalization and collaboration for universities worldwide.

Lunch will be provided to pre-conference workshop attendees. For full conference attendees, the COIL/VE workshop is included as part of your conference registration.

If you are not attending the full conference, you can register to attend the COIL/VE Workshop for only $50 in the conference registration portal below.

Conference Registration

Registration for the 3rd Annual Hanseatic League of Universities Conference is open! Registration will close on May 8, 2023. Payment is required upon registration.

Your conference registration includes admittance to all conference sessions, the COIL/VE Workshop, scheduled meals, site visits and networking events.

3rd HLU Conference | May 15 – 17, 2023
Early Bird:
ends March 31, 2023
General Registration:
Ends April 30, 2023
Late Registration:
Ends May 8, 2023
$700 $750 $800

Lower Income Country: If you work in a country classified as a ‘low-income economy’ or ‘lower-middle-income economy’ by the World Bank, you qualify for a reduced conference rate. Please email mmcdonal@fgcu.edu for instructions on signing up.

If you have any registration questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch at hlu@fgcu.edu

Advancing Higher Education Worldwide

The 3rd Annual Hanseatic League of Universities Conference brings university leaders together to explore the significance of higher education worldwide. Our highly interactive conference program is structured around the World Universities with Real Impact (WURI) rankings, which measures excellence and innovation in six dimensions. We will examine how these elements guide our institutions, societies, countries, and the world through challenges and transformations. We will look for opportunities where we can further collaborate so that we can successfully adapt and prosper.

Upheld by six key pillars, this dynamic program will highlight:

1
Industrial Applications

2
Ethical Values

3
Crisis Management

4
Progress in the 4th Industrial Revolution

5
Entrepreneurship

6
Mobility & Openness

Throughout the four days of the conference, you will have a unique opportunity to meet and network with other university leaders and share your perspective. Together, we will recognize university excellence, the accuracy of rankings, and the resiliency of education and innovation to advance higher education worldwide.

Why You Should Attend

In the spirit of openness and cooperation, you will have the chance to:

  • Network with international colleagues
  • Build and strengthen institutional relationships
  • Expand your leadership knowledge
  • Gain insights into global higher education
  • Shape the future of higher education

With extraordinary access to tremendous educational achievements, industrial innovations, and leading university colleagues from around the globe, this is a one-of-a-kind conference that you will not want to miss!

Accommodations

Accommodations are not included in the conference registration fee. Conference events take place at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, which is the hotel of choice. A King or 1-bedroom base suite is $249/night. For convenience, guests can make sleeping room reservations below. The last day to reserve a room in the room block is April 29.

About FGCU

Located on the Southwest Florida coast, Florida Gulf Coast University encompasses 800 acres on which academic buildings, residence halls, and athletics facilities share space with wetlands, pinewoods, and boardwalks in a natural setting. FGCU serves 16,000 students and offers more than 95 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It emphasizes a university-wide commitment to sustainability and service learning, with students completing more than 4 million hours of service since the university opened in 1997. With six colleges, FGCU is committed to serving Southwest Florida with academic programs designed to meet the workforce demands of the five-county region. Growing interdisciplinary programs include The Water School and the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship.

About Southwest Florida

A region along the southwest coast of the Gulf of Mexico, this area of Florida is known for serene beaches, storied small towns, and stimulating cities. With an international airport, Southwest Florida is growing into a popular tourist destination and industrial hub featuring a year-round warm climate, award-winning beaches, and impressive investments in education and innovation.

After experiencing the devastation of Hurricane Ian, Southwest Florida residents have shown the world their courage and tenacity by uplifting their neighbors, adjusting to new challenges, and rebuilding stronger than ever.

Registration Changes & Cancellations

Refunds will be provided on a case-by-case basis. For a full refund, requests must be received in writing by Friday, April 14 to hlu@fgcu.edu

Travel & Visa

Attendees are responsible for their own travel plans and visas, as required. Visa invitation letters can be provided upon request by contacting mmcdonal@fgcu.edu.