The World Access to Higher Education Network (WAHEN)–coordinated World Access to Higher Education Day 2025 (WAHED) Conference, held on 28 October in hybrid format at the University of the Western Cape and online, brought together participants from over 20 countries to advance global dialogue on equitable access and success in higher education. Despite a last-minute programme change caused by a campus-wide power outage, the conference showcased strong international engagement from leaders, researchers, policymakers, and students.
A central highlight was the launch of Drawing the Global Access Map 2, supported by the Lumina Foundation, which draws on data from more than 200 countries and calls for stronger international cooperation, better data, and national equity targets. The programme highlighted impactful reforms, including Brazil’s quota system, Australia’s UNSW Gateway programme, Mauritius’ work on micro-credentials, and South Africa’s Siyaphumelela student success network. Student voices—particularly refugee scholars supported through programmes administered by the UNHCR—powerfully illustrated the transformative impact of inclusive higher education.
Speakers consistently stressed that equity must go beyond access to include success, belonging, and institutional change, with leadership and data-driven strategies as key enablers. As Peter John, Vice-Chancellor of the University of West London, noted, meaningful change must be driven from the top.
View the full conference slide deck here: https://worldaccesshe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/WAHED25-Slide-Deck.pdf