AK Travels Limited

Summary

• Programme: Global Leadership Challenge (GLC) 2026
• Format: Fully virtual
• Dates: 10–14 December 2026
• Participants: 100 young leaders
• Eligibility: Master’s/PhD students and young professionals aged 21–30
• Nationality: Open to applicants worldwide
• Academic background: All academic disciplines
• Application deadline: 5 November 2026
• Certificate: Official Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and St. Gallen Symposium
• Special opportunity: Three winning teams may attend the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in April 2027 with travel and accommodation expenses covered.

About the Global Leadership Challenge

The Global Leadership Challenge (GLC) is a leadership development initiative jointly organised by the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium, with support from partner organisations including Schwarzman Scholars and Swiss Re. The programme is designed to help emerging leaders develop the character, values and practical skills required for responsible leadership and sustainable development.

The 2026 edition will take place virtually from 10 to 14 December 2026. During the five-day challenge, participants will work with other young leaders and senior advisors to examine real-world global challenges through the lens of responsible leadership and sustainability.

The programme will bring together 100 promising young leaders selected through an open application process. Participants will use approaches including character education and design thinking to develop practical action projects addressing pressing challenges.

Although the GLC itself is virtual, there is an additional international opportunity connected to the programme. The three teams whose projects are evaluated as outstanding will be offered the opportunity to attend the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in April 2027 as Leaders of Tomorrow. For those selected teams, travel and accommodation expenses will be fully covered.

Scholarship Benefits

The official programme provides participants with several opportunities for leadership development:

• Participation in a five-day virtual global leadership challenge.
• Engagement with world-renowned academics and senior business and policy leaders.
• Collaboration with an international community of young leaders.
• Development of action projects addressing global challenges.
• Bespoke leadership training and mentorship through the Oxford Character Project.
• An official Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium.
• Eligibility to apply for further leadership-development mentoring after the programme.
• The three winning teams will be offered participation in the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in April 2027, with travel and accommodation expenses fully covered.

The official information therefore does not describe the entire GLC as a fully funded trip to Switzerland. The main programme is virtual, while the expenses-covered Switzerland opportunity applies to the three winning teams.

Who Can Apply?

According to the official eligibility criteria, applicants must:

• Currently be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme, or be a young professional aged 21–30.
• Have completed their undergraduate studies.
• Have demonstrated a commitment to responsible leadership through extracurricular activities and/or work experience.
• Be available to commit approximately five half-days from 10–14 December 2026.
• Participate actively in all GLC sessions to receive the Certificate of Achievement.
• Applicants from all academic disciplines and around the world are welcome.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that you can participate throughout 10–14 December 2026.

Step 2: Prepare the required documents:

• CV in PDF format
• Recent portrait photograph in JPEG or PNG format
• Proof of enrolment in PDF format, where applicable for students.

Step 3: Prepare the application responses. Applicants are asked to suggest a keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to act responsibly.

Step 4: Record a maximum 40-second video in English explaining your message and inspiring global leaders to practise responsible leadership.

Step 5: Provide one concrete example, in no more than 50 words, showing how you personally put responsible leadership into practice.

Step 6: Upload the video to an accepted platform such as Google Drive, OneDrive, YouTube as an unlisted video, iCloud, Swisstransfer or Dropbox.

Step 7: Ensure the video link can be viewed by anyone with the link without requiring a login, password or organisation account.

Step 8: Submit the completed online application through the official application form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged not to wait until the final deadline.

Important Deadline

Application Opens: 29 September 2026
Application Closes: 5 November 2026
GLC 2026: 10–14 December 2026

The organisers state that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Related Opportunities

• Hansen Leadership Institute 2027 — USA
• Leadership and Diplomacy Summit 2026 — Türkiye
• International Leadership Program 2026 — Italy

Official Application Link

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

The Global Leadership Challenge 2026 is an opportunity for young professionals and postgraduate students interested in responsible leadership, sustainability and practical responses to global challenges. Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements, prepare the required documents and video, and submit their application before 5 November 2026.

For the latest application instructions and any updates, always refer to the official programme website.

http://www.aktravelsltd.com