UNIS Hanoi Hosts 9th GALTI Training

From 12-14 September, UNIS Hanoi was honored to welcome nearly 80 delegates from around the region for our 9th Annual Governance as Leadership Training Institute (GALTI). Heads of School and Board members came together on our campus for two days of rich learning, connection, and reflection about how international schools can continue to thrive in times of rapid change.

This year’s theme was “Resilient Governance: Navigating Change with Integrity and Vision.” The event was guided by two wonderful facilitators: Homa Tavangar, a best-selling author and co-founder of the Big Questions Institute, and Rami Madani, Head of School at the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL).

Homa and Rami brought their wealth of experience working with Boards and schools around the world to help participants think deeply about the evolving role of trustees. With their warm, engaging style, they encouraged us to see governance as more than structures and policies, but also about trust, equity, belonging, and leading with courage through uncertainty.

The Friday programme explored leading during times of transition, making sense of global and educational trends, and even how Boards can begin to develop “AI literacy” to stay relevant in a fast-changing world. Conversations were thoughtful and energising, and the day ended on a celebratory note with a networking evening where Board members and Heads of School could mingle, socialise, and learn from one another’s experiences across different international schools.

On Saturday, the focus turned to the foundations of effective governance: building trust, managing risk, and understanding how Boards can balance their fiduciary, strategic, and generative roles. Delegates worked together in breakout groups, sharing experiences from their own schools and strengthening their governance skills. The event closed with a “3-2-1” reflection — three insights gained, two actions to take forward, and one measure of success to watch for — ensuring that the learning will continue long after GALTI ended.

Hosting GALTI on our campus was a true privilege for UNIS Hanoi. More than a series of workshops and sessions, the event reaffirmed our dedication to being a leader in advancing good governance initiatives in international schools, while strengthening connections with colleagues across the region.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the many UNIS Hanoi team members who supported everything from logistics to hospitality. This year’s GALTI was truly a community achievement, reflecting our shared commitment to good governance and the spirit of collaboration and service that defines UNIS Hanoi.