Institute for Leaders & Emerging Leaders in Cooperative and Work-Integrated Learning

Institute for Leaders & Emerging Leaders in Cooperative and Work-Integrated Learning

June 4–5, 2027 | Bangkok, Thailand

WACE is pleased to announce the return of the Institute for Leaders & Emerging Leaders in Cooperative and Work-Integrated Learning, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, ahead of the 2027 WACE World Conference. This follows the success of the previous Institute held at the University of Waterloo.

Whether you're an established or emerging leader in cooperative and work-integrated learning (WIL), this Institute offers an opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, exchange ideas, and connect with professionals from around the world.

Delivered over two half-day sessions, including a networking dinner, the Institute will bring together experienced WIL professionals to explore leadership strategies, current practices, and challenges within the evolving WIL landscape.

Through this Institute, participants will:

• Explore innovative leadership strategies for the rapidly evolving WIL landscape.

• Participate in interactive discussions addressing real-world leadership challenges.

• Gain actionable insights and strategies to implement within their organizations.

• Expand their global cooperative education and WIL professional networks.

• Be eligible to receive a University of Waterloo/WACE Certificate of Completion.

Institute Overview

The Leadership Institute will focus on two key leadership challenges in work-integrated learning: advocacy and gaining buy-in.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced WIL leaders, exchange ideas, identify leadership challenges within their own organizations, develop practical strategies, receive feedback, and build an international community of practice.

Learning Objectives and Activities

Friday, June 4, 2027 — Afternoon Session

Participants will:

• Be introduced to the Leadership in WIL Framework developed in Australia (2014).

• Identify a specific leadership challenge they are currently facing.

• Apply two components of the leadership framework—advocacy and gaining buy-in—to their identified challenge.

• Collaborate with fellow participants to explore potential strategies and solutions.

Friday, June 4, 2027 — Networking Dinner

Participants will continue discussions in an informal setting, sharing experiences, exploring WIL leadership challenges, and strengthening their professional networks.

Saturday, June 5, 2027 — Morning Session

Participants will develop and deliver a concise, three-minute thesis (3MT)-style presentation using a single slide to outline their proposed leadership strategy.

Presentations should:

• Clearly explain the motivation, background, and significance of the identified leadership challenge.

• Describe the advocacy and buy-in strategies proposed to address the challenge.

• Explain how the outcomes and impact of the proposed strategy will be measured.

Participants will present their slides to a panel of global WIL leaders and receive constructive feedback on their proposed strategies.

Registration Information

Registration for the Leadership Institute includes the afternoon session and networking dinner on June 4, 2027, and the morning session on June 5, 2027.

Registration Deadline: April 16, 2027

Spaces may be limited, and interested participants are encouraged to register early.

*All prices are in Canadian dollars