4GU Week 2026
Connecting Ecosystems. Driving Innovation. Delivering Impact.
5–9 October 2026
About 4GU week
What does it take to build a university that truly transforms its region? That’s the question at the heart of 4GU Week — five days of ideas, connections, and action. Bringing together global university leaders, impact and innovation practitioners, industry, government and ecosystem partners, 4GU week showcases universities that act as orchestrators of regional innovation ecosystems. Join us to advance the 4GU community of practice through peer learning, collaboration, and discussions.
- Join us online (5–6 October) for two days of free webinars open to the entire 4GU Community worldwide.
- Meet in person at High Tech Campus Eindhoven (7–8 October) for the inaugural 4GU Global Forum.
4GU global forum
The 4GU Global Forum is the centrepiece of 4GU Week — a two-day gathering of university leaders, innovators, industry partners, and government representatives exploring how universities can lead and orchestrate regional innovation ecosystems.
Hosted at High Tech Campus Eindhoven — home to ASML, Philips, and hundreds of technology companies — the Forum puts the 4GU concept in its most powerful context: one of Europe’s most dynamic and globally recognized innovation ecosystems.
When: 7-8 October 2026
Location: High Tech Campus Eindhoven
Places are limited to keep discussions focused and the networking meaningful.
There is no fee to attend the event. However, as the 4GU Community is self-funding, attendees will be covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Agenda (under development)
7 October
| Time | Session |
| 09:00–10:00 | Arrival & networking |
| 10:00–10:15 | Opening Address – The 4GU Vision in a Changing Global Context |
| 10:15–11:15 | Welcome to Brainport Eindhoven: The City, University and Ecosystem |
| 11:15–11:45 | Keynote – Innovation Ecosystems and the Future of Competitiveness |
| 11:45–12:00 | Coffee break |
| 12:00-12:30 | Government Perspectives – Universities, Regions & the Future of Competitiveness |
| 12:30–13:00 | Panel – Different Missions, Shared Impact: 4GU in practice across diverse universities |
| 13:00–14:30 | Networking lunch |
| 14:30–15:00 | Keynote or Debate: How the 4GU Concept could evolve |
| 15:00-15:45 | Workshops on 4GU Concept evolution |
| 15:45-16:00 | Day 1 Wrap-up |
| 16:00-18:00 | Networking reception with Brainport Eindhoven |
| 18:00-21:00 | Dinner |
8 October
| 09:00–09:30 | Arrival coffee & networking |
| 09:30–10:30 | Panel – 4GU in a global context |
| 10:30–11:00 | Keynote – Building a Thriving Innovation Ecosystem: Lessons from Brainport Eindhoven |
| 11:00-11:30 | How we measure the success of our ecosystem |
| 11:30–11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45–12:45 | Workshop on Indicators |
| 12:45-13:00 | Workshop Summary and shareback |
| 13:00-14:30 | Lunch |
| 14:30-15:00 | 4GU Application |
| 15:15–15:45 | Closing Address – Universities as Catalysts for the Future |
| 15:45-16:00 | Thank you and closing |
| 16:00–18:00 | Brainport Tour |
Speakers
- Aleks Subic, Chair of the 4GU Community Board, President and Vice Chancellor, Torrens University Australia
- Silvia Lenaerts, Rector Magnificus, Eindhoven University of Technology
- Paul van Nunen, Managing Director, Brainport Eindhoven
- Robert-Jan Smits, Former President of the Executive Board, Eindhoven University of Technology
- Chris Day, Vice Chancellor, Newcastle University and Chair of the Universities UK Civic and Local Growth Network
- Kirk Dombrowski, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University of Vermont
- Tim Bedford, Associate Principal (Research & Innovation), University of Strathclyde
- Dawn Freshwater, Secretary General, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)
Reserve your spot
There is no fee to attend the event. However, as the 4GU Community is self-funding, attendees will be covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.
