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The image displays the title %22FUTURE-READY GOVERNANCE: Governing with Purpose and Responsibility in an AI-Shaped World%22 against a vibrant, colorful background featuring various people in professional settings.

GALTI 2026 

Strong governance is the foundation of exceptional schools.

The Governance as Leadership Training Institute (GALTI) represents a bold new chapter in how international school leaders learn, think, and act together. For the first time, this long-standing institute now in it's 10th year, moves beyond the traditional consultant-led conference model and is reimagined as a peer-designed learning lab for School Boards and Heads of International Schools.

Built by practitioners for practitioners, GALTI recognises that the most powerful governance insights come not only from theory, but from the collective experience of those leading schools every day. At its core, GALTI connects the why of leadership, mission-driven decision making, with the how of governance: strategy, structure, and stewardship.

Through modular, choice-based pathways and collaborative workshop-driven sessions, participants engage directly with the real governance challenges facing their schools. GALTI is not simply about understanding governance. It is about practising leadership in service of mission, community, and the future of international education.

This year's workshop, themed "Governing with Purpose and Responsibility in an AI-Shaped World" will be held on 11-12 September, 2026 at UNIS Hanoi.
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Target Audience

  • First-time Participating Schools
  • First-time Board Members
  • Experienced Chairs and Board Members
  • Current Heads of School at different stages of tenure
  • Aspiring Heads of School
  • Returning schools who want deeper, more advanced engagement

 

GALTI 2026 Programme Overview

GALTI 2025 builds on the strong foundation of previous years while introducing enhancements shaped by feedback from more than 350 past delegates. The programme is designed to be practical and immediately applicable, ensuring participants leave with ideas and tools they can implement in their own schools.

Learning takes place through a variety of interactive formats, including governance design studios, peer-led workshops, real-world case clinics, simulation labs, mission-focused panel discussions, and committee roundtables; creating a dynamic, practitioner-led experience for Heads and School Board members.

"GALTI is a fantastic venture and over the years we have benefitted greatly from its support."

Committee Deep Dives

Targeted sessions explore key board committees. Participants examine practical tools and structures ensuring committees operate with clarity, accountability, and strategic impact.

Focus areas include:

  • Governance committee structures

  • Financial stewardship

  • Advancement

  • Campus development

Application Studio

School teams move from discussion to action by building a practical governance roadmap for the year ahead.

Each team will:

  • Align committee work with the school’s strategic priorities

  • Identify governance behaviours and practices that must evolve

  • Establish timelines, accountability, and clear next steps

Scenario Labs

Participants work through high-stakes governance scenarios that boards regularly face. Through guided simulations, leaders practise decision-making under pressure while balancing mission, risk, and stakeholder expectations.

Scenarios include:

  • Crisis governance

  • Head of School transition

  • Strategic pivots during uncertainty

Tactical Governance Micro-Sessions

Short, highly practical workshops will provide tools to improve the effectiveness of board operations.

Topics include:

  • Designing purposeful board agendas

  • Governance dashboards 

  • Meeting structures to enable strategic discussion

  • Professional development for Board Members

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By the end of GALTI, each school team will:

  • Clarify governance priorities for the next 12–24 months
  • Strengthen Head–Board Chair partnership and role clarity
  • Produce at least one tangible governance artifact, such as:
  1. A revised committee charter
  2. A board dashboard
  3. A Head evaluation framework
  4. A board self-evaluation tool
  • Leave with a 12-month Governance Action Plan
  • Be connected to a cross-school governance network

Cost of Attendance

  • 2-Day, 11-12 September, 2026 Training Institute fee is $800 USD for each delegate.
  • Join a pre-institute session for Board Chairs and Heads of School on Thursday 10 September for an additional $50 USD

Please note, GALTI is designed for ‘school teams’ including both Board members and the Head of School, and not for individual attendance except in exceptional circumstances. Other selected senior administrators are also welcome to participate.

Contact our UNIS Board Administrator, Nicole Topfer with any questions: boardofdirectors@unishanoi.org

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A picturesque nighttime scene of a canal-side resort with colorful buildings, bridges, and boats illuminated by warm lighting, set against a vibrant purple and pink sky.

Where to Stay

INTERCONTINENTAL HANOI WESTLAKE is an iconic hotel in the heart of the vibrant district of Tay Ho. The hotel is minutes away from the city’s most alluring attractions and only 10 minutes by car to UNIS Hanoi. Ideally situated, the hotel offers a welcome peaceful escape in a beautiful and iconic lakeside setting.

Download Reservation Form