The World 100 Reputation Network Conference is the key annual opportunity for highly ranked universities - both members and non-members - to share reputational achievements.
The W100 Annual Conference 2018 took place at The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, from 26 – 28 September. Philip Steenkamp, Vice President, External Relations at The University of British Columbia, was our host. The conference focused on how universities stand out and differentiate themselves on a global scale.
The theme ‘Differentiation and the World-Class University’ allowed us to explore how universities can stand out from the pack as global competition increases and academia comes under greater scrutiny in an increasingly turbulent media environment.
The conference had a strong Canadian presence, with speakers from UBC, Western University, University of Toronto, Destination Canada and even Hootsuite, the innovative social media company based in Vancouver. The rest of the world was also represented with speakers from Australia, Europe and USA.
Conference Highlights
Brand Building in a Bow-tie | Professor Santa J Ono, The University of British Columbia
UBC’s President and Vice-Chancellor explores how a strong, authentic brand differentiates UBC, and how as president he works to build the brand through authentic leadership.
Managing a Public Brand | Bryan Daisley & Alanya Cannon, University of Washington
How the UW manages a brand and a comprehensive campaign in the public eye.
Building a Reputation through High-profile Conferences | Anders Frølund, Aarhus University
The unique collaboration between the city, the private sector and the University and the connection between hosting international conferences and recruitment of international researchers.
University Reputation: What Attracts High School Students | Professor Masahiro Okamoto, Kyushu University
What are the current educational backgrounds and problems of high schools and undergraduate schools in Japan, and what attracts high school students?
Digital Differentiation | Naqaash Pirani, Hootsuite
Insights on how to differentiate your University’s brand using social media.
Our Speakers
Professor Santa J Ono
The University of British Columbia
Professor Masahiro Okamoto
Kyushu University
David Estok
The University of Toronto
Tania Rhodes-Taylor
The University of Sydney
Bryan Daisley
University of Washington
Philip Steenkamp
The University of British Columbia
Jacqui Marshall
University of Exeter
Naqaash Pirani
Hootsuite
Elizabeth Parkinson
University of Michigan
Professor Niraj Dawar
Western University
Anders Frølund
Aarhus University
Members Day | 26 September 2018
Our Vancouver hosts put together a fantastic Members’ Day, starting with a trip to Grouse Mountain and a private wildlife ranger interpretive session with resident grizzly bears, followed by lunch at the Observatory. Members explored Grouse Mountain (including the great gift shop!) with an optional Lumberjack show. Members spent the evening at The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts with American theoretical physicist and futurist Michio Kaku, followed by a reception at the Great Performer’s Lounge with drinks and canapés.
Study Tour | 24-25 September 2018
Before the conference in Vancouver, a group of W100 members headed across the boarder to Seattle for a couple of days at the University of Washington – a prestigious US public research university with an impressive global reputation. During the visit, members learned about the UW’s pioneering Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) — a partnership between the University of Washington and China’s Tsinghua University, with support from Microsoft, joined Vice President for Innovation Strategy Vikram Jandhyala for an inside look at CoMotion, the UW’s collaborative innovation hub and toured the beautiful, historic campus. Members also had the quintessential Seattle experiences, including a coffee tasting at TK and dinner at the iconic Ray’s Boathouse.
Study Tour | 1-2 October 2018
Following the UBC conference, a group of W100 members travelled to Calgary for a weekend of exploration before spending two days at the University of Calgary – one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities which is building a global reputation. Members learned about the strategic areas of research strength and teaching expertise at the University of Calgary — areas that anchor their efforts in national and international reputation-building. Members also experienced a night at the Glenbow Museum, enjoying cocktails and dinner featuring Canadian local and Indigenous-inspired cuisine while learning about the Alberta ‘mavericks’.
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Conference Presentations
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The World 100 Reputation Network is a group of the best universities in the world, delivering research that enhances reputation and offering leaders the chance to develop their own careers on a global stage. Members benefit from events and study tours, training, monthly media monitoring, and unique reputation research to provide institutional advantage.