Leadership, Data and Sustainability at CEE Universities – From Strategic Plans to Effective Action

University rankings consider institutions as a whole and affect every stakeholder, from students to leadership. Yet the knowledge, usage, and interpretation of rankings are often siloed and segmented. The 7th General Assembly of the Czech University Rankings Group (CURG) will face this problem by bringing together a wide range of specialists from universities across Central Europe. Together, we will reflect on how rankings are interpreted, used in strategy, and translated into action.

The conference will focus on identifying which ranking metrics align with institutional strategic priorities and on meaningfully tracking progress in these areas. Discussions will explore how rankings can inform decision-making and support long-term institutional development.

For maximum impact, the conference will feature three thematic tracks with dedicated sessions for participants working in:

• Rankings Analytics (from data collection to actionable insights)
• University Leadership (from strategic plans to ranking-informed decisions)
• Sustainability (from Impact Rankings to institutional practice)

It will create space both for specialised discussion within these areas and for broader exchange across roles and institutions. Universities in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary are welcome to send up to three participants each.

Speakers will include high-level delegates from QS, Times Higher Education, and Elsevier, as well as leaders of Central European higher education. There will be opportunities for strategic one-on-one meetings with ranking agencies, as well as for structured discussions on national and regional cooperation.