University of Oxford - St. Gallen Symposium Global Leadership Challenge 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
If you are an emerging leader seeking a meaningful challenge, the University of Oxford / St. Gallen Symposium Global Leadership Challenge 2025 is now open for applications. This hybrid, week-long leadership programme is designed to help young professionals and postgraduate students develop character-based leadership, engage with global challenges, and co-create impact projects that serve the greater good. Here's everything you need to know.
📌 Programme Summary
Format: Hybrid (virtual + in-session dialogues) — delivered online, with possible in-person elements by partner organizations.
Host Institutions / Organizers: University of Oxford (Social Sciences Division & Oxford Character Project) and St. Gallen Symposium
Participant Type: Young professionals, or postgraduate students (Master’s, PhD)
Age Range: Aged 21–30, with completed undergraduate studies
Themes: Responsible leadership, sustainability, real-world partner challenges (aligned with SDGs)
Benefits:
Certificate of Achievement from Oxford & St. Gallen
Leadership training & mentorship by Oxford Character Project
Participation in global community / network of peers & senior leaders
Top teams win an invitation (with funding) to the 55th St. Gallen Symposium (May 2026) as “Leaders of Tomorrow”
Duration: 5 days (11–15 December 2025)
Application Deadline: 2 November 2025
Start Date: 11 December 2025
🧭 Programme Overview
Over the 5 days, participants will:
Engage in opening sessions and ice breakers, meet fellow participants and advisors, and align on expectations and goals.
Participate in challenge partner dialogues where real organizations present “challenge questions” (e.g. strategic workforce in age of AI) to solve.
Have design thinking workshops to ideate, prototype and refine solutions.
Engage in GLC Talks, leadership & values workshops, and fireside chats with senior leaders to prompt reflection on responsible leadership.
Self-managed group work over the weekend (13–14 December) where teams organize, iterate, test ideas and prepare their final proposals.
Final day (15 December) will include submission of project, pitch sessions to challenge advisors, feedback, and announcement of the winning team.
The top team(s) will be selected by an award jury and receive fully funded attendance to St. Gallen Symposium as “Leaders of Tomorrow.”
After GLC, participants may access further mentoring via the Oxford Character Project to deepen their leadership journey.
🎁 Benefits & What’s Covered
Certification & recognition: Active participants earn a Certificate of Achievement from both Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium.
Funding for winners: The winning team will be fully funded to attend the 55th St. Gallen Symposium in 2026 as “Leaders of Tomorrow” — including travel and accommodation.
Mentorship & training: Tailored leadership coaching from Oxford’s Character Project and linkages with senior leaders.
Network & community: You’ll join a cohort of 100 diverse global participants and get exposure to senior policy/business/academic leaders.
Practical experience: You work on real challenges with partner organizations, using design thinking to propose socially impactful solutions.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, candidates must:
Be aged between 21 and 30 years.
Have completed an undergraduate degree.
Be currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme or be a young professional.
Have demonstrated some commitment to responsible leadership in extracurricular, academic, volunteer or professional experiences.
Be able to commit about five half-days between 11 and 15 December 2025 to attend GLC sessions.
Actively participate in all required sessions—attendance and engagement are mandatory to receive certification.
✍🏻 Application Procedure
Fill in the online application form
Provide supporting materials and responses to prompt questions (see below).
Submit all required documents before 2 November 2025 (late applications are not accepted).
Shortlisted candidates will be notified (around mid-November).
Confirm acceptance, prepare for onboarding, engage in preliminary sessions, and attend GLC in December.
ByDocuments & Application Components (commonly required):
Curriculum Vitae (CV) in PDF
Recent portrait photo (JPEG or PNG)
Proof of enrolment (for students) in current program
Video submission (~40 seconds) on your view of responsible leadership or inspiring message
💡 Tips & Additional Insights
Choose a strong challenge area alignment. GLC 2025 has specific partner-defined challenges like Strategic Workforce Planning in the Age of AI.
Show real impact & thoughtfulness. The jury looks for proposals that are bold, feasible, and socially meaningful.
Team collaboration matters. Though you apply individually, much of the programme is done in teams — so adaptability, communication, and initiative are assets.
Start early. Preparing thoughtful video responses, reference examples, and personal reflections take time.
Leverage mentorship. If accepted, maximize guidance from advisors and senior leaders.
After GLC, stay involved. The network, mentorship and alumni connections can extend long beyond the week itself.
