Shaping the Future of Executive Education: Highlights from UNICON 2025
The 2025 UNICON Directors’ Conference, hosted by the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo, welcomed more than 90 senior leaders from 29 countries, representing some of the world’s most prestigious institutions—including Stanford, MIT Sloan, INSEAD and Yale.
Together, they explored how executive education can adapt to meet the demands of a fast-changing business landscape and deliver meaningful impact globally.
Set against the backdrop of Cairo’s historic AUC Tahrir Square campus, the contemporary New Cairo campus and the iconic Grand Egyptian Museum, the conference seamlessly blended world-class thought leadership with cultural immersion. It was a platform for exchanging ideas, building collaborations and shaping actionable strategies to redefine the future of executive education.
A Focus on the Future
The conference tackled some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping executive education in today’s dynamic world. Central to the discussions was the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI). Leaders explored how AI is revolutionizing executive education by enhancing curriculum design, learner engagement and operational efficiency. At the same time, panelists emphasized the importance of ethical governance and human oversight, warning against the risks of overreliance on automation. These conversations underscored the need to leverage AI as a tool for innovation while ensuring it supports, rather than replaces, human creativity and decision-making.
Localization emerged as another critical theme. Participants highlighted the growing importance of designing programs tailored to the specific cultural, economic and market needs of diverse regions, particularly in emerging markets like the Middle East and Africa. The emphasis was on moving beyond global templates to create solutions that resonate at a local level, ensuring relevance and impact. Cairo, as a city that embodies both tradition and transformation, provided a fitting context for these discussions.
A significant portion of the conference focused on leadership and team dynamics. An interactive workshop featuring The GC Index, offered participants fresh insights into how individuals and teams contribute to organizational success. By understanding their energy for impact and how to harness it effectively, attendees left with practical tools to build more collaborative and high-performing teams.
Growth strategies were also a key focus, with panels exploring innovative approaches to marketing, business development and client engagement. Leaders shared insights on using data-driven strategies, personalized learning pathways and long-term partnerships to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. The discussions highlighted the importance of aligning institutional goals with the needs of learners and organizations to create a sustainable impact.
Throughout the conference, the power of collaboration was a recurring theme. Speakers and panelists stressed the importance of partnerships across sectors—between educational institutions, corporations, NGOs and governments—to scale impact and drive innovation. Real-world examples of successful collaborations demonstrated how these partnerships are helping institutions navigate global challenges while delivering localized solutions.
Why This Matters
The 2025 UNICON Directors’ Conference underscored the urgent need for institutions to embrace agility, inclusivity and innovation in preparing leaders for the future. The event served not just as a forum for ideas but as a launchpad for action, inspiring participants to rethink traditional models and implement tangible solutions in their organizations.
“This conference wasn’t just about sharing ideas—it was about creating tangible solutions,” remarked one participant. “It challenged us to think deeply about our roles as educators and leaders while equipping us with the tools to drive real change.”
For the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, hosting this prestigious event reaffirmed its position as a regional leader and a key player in global executive education. By blending local relevance with global expertise, the school showcased its ability to drive meaningful change across sectors and regions.
Watch the highlights of the UNICON Directors’ Conference - 2025
View photos of the conference here