It is with great pleasure that we announce that the THE World Academic Summit 2026was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa. Global leaders in higher education, research and policy met at the University of Cape Town, the first ever host of this summit on the African continent.

Against the backdrop of extraordinary technological, social and environmental change, this year’s summit explored how universities can harness intelligence – human, artificial and collective – to shape fairer, more sustainable and future-ready societies.

Keynote sessions, high-level debates and exclusive networking opportunities examined how universities can redefine their role in a rapidly evolving world.

Delegates joined the global conversation on how higher education can shape knowledge, justice and futures in the age of intelligence.

The event featured the exclusive reveal of the THE World University Rankings 2027, and an in-depth masterclass from THE’s data team with detailed analysis and insight into the key findings, trends and stories from the data.

 Explore the themes  View full agenda

Anticipate disruption with insight

Gain first-hand perspectives on how AI, climate change and shifting global power dynamics are reshaping higher education – and how leaders can move from reacting to proactively shaping the future.

Build resilient, ethical leadership

Learn how to balance technological and institutional innovation with integrity, justice and sustainability, equipping yourself to lead with purpose in increasingly complex environments.

Forge global connections that matter

Join a network of senior leaders from across continents to co-create equitable partnerships, share strategies, and develop actionable solutions for universities as civic anchors and global actors.

"It is with great anticipation that I welcome you to the University of Cape Town for this momentous gathering of the THE World Academic Summit 2026. This summit is more than a conversation about higher education. It is an opportunity to ask how we – as a global community of scholars, policy makers, civil society and global leaders influencing the higher education space – can reconceive knowledge for the future, and in doing so, create pathways that are inclusive, sustainable and just."

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor
University of Cape Town

 Find out more

Attend as a delegate

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