Explore the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of education, skills, and workforce development. The agenda is developed across three core themes, Higher Education & Workforce Futures, Technology & Finance and Impact & Outcomes, and features keynote sessions, private roundtables, workshops, and networking opportunities.

‍Please note that the agenda is subject to change, with additional sessions and speakers added as they are confirmed.

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Agenda

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Networking - September 15

Opening Networking Reception & Registration

Begin the 2026 Back to School Summit with an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration as we mark the 25th anniversary of one of higher education's most influential gatherings. Bringing together leaders from academia, business, government, investment, and technology, this reception sets the stage for two days of bold ideas and meaningful dialogue. Reconnect with longtime colleagues, forge new partnerships, and engage with the global community driving innovation in education and workforce development.

Day One - September 16

Opening Plenary: The New Frontier: Defining the Next Decade of Global Opportunity

The world is entering a new frontier, where talent, technology, and human potential will shape economic growth and global competitiveness. Join QS CEO Jessica Turner for a forward-looking exploration of the trends transforming higher education and workforce development. This opening session examines the opportunities and challenges that will define the decade ahead—and how institutions, industries, and leaders can help create a more connected, prosperous future.

Higher Education Policy Outlook

Policy direction is shifting across funding, regulation, and accountability. This briefing reviews the latest federal and state developments and how institutions are interpreting them. Expect a clear view of near-term policy signals and the strategic considerations shaping institutional response

Presentation: AI in Education: Markets, Momentum, and Models

AI investment is accelerating across education as institutions define how it supports teaching, research, and operations. This keynote brings together the latest global market data from HolonIQ by QS, highlighting where demand is growing, how supply is evolving, and what leaders are prioritizing. Expect a clear, data-rich view of adoption, capability building, and emerging models shaping AI in education worldwide.

Panel: Built for Outcomes. Making System Change Stick from Alignment to Execution

Cross-sector collaboration is expanding globally, with some of the strongest outcomes emerging in systems building from the ground up. This session highlights examples from the Middle East and Asia, including Oman and Qatar, where coordination across government, K-12, and higher education is translating into measurable progress. Expect insight into how investment, policy alignment, and execution are enabling system change to scale.

Stackable, Scalable, Signaling: The Next Chapter in Flexible Online Learning

Demand for career-aligned, lower-cost pathways is rising alongside rapid shifts in AI and technology, while major platforms and employers are doubling down on short-form credentials. This session explores what’s driving the resurgence, who is shaping the next wave, and where questions of quality, recognition, and outcomes remain unresolved. Expect a clear view of what’s gaining traction—and what still needs to be proven.

MBA & Master's Rankings Deep Dive: What the Data Reveals About Graduate Business Education

Be among the first to explore the findings from the newly released QS Global MBA and QS Business Master's Rankings. This data-driven session will uncover the key trends shaping graduate business education, from shifting student demand and employability outcomes to the growing influence of specialist master's programs. Gain exclusive insights into the institutions, regions, and program types gaining momentum, and what the latest rankings reveal about the future of business education.

No Straight Lines. Degrees, Decisions, and Disruption from College to Career

Learner expectations and employer demand are shifting in real time. This session unpacks what hiring data, skills trends, and graduate outcomes reveal about evolving pathways from education to work. Expect insight into emerging models, from work-integrated learning to new credential formats, and how institutions are adapting.

Panel: From Stockholm to Seoul: The Global Screen Time Divide

Learner behavior, family expectations, and policy responses to technology use are diverging across regions. This session compares approaches from Europe to Asia, examining how concerns around screen time, learning outcomes, and wellbeing are shaping policy. Expect a global view of how demand and regulation are influencing edtech adoption.

Workforce Policy in Transition

Demand for skills is rising while workforce policy continues to evolve. This session examines developments in funding, apprenticeships, and employer incentives alongside institutional capacity to deliver. Expect insight into how policy direction is shaping opportunity and where implementation will matter most.

Presentation: Education Market Outlook

This session will provide a high-level overview of the current capital markets landscape and the factors shaping investor sentiment toward the education sector. Drawing on insights from equity research, institutional investment, and market trends, it will explore how investors are assessing opportunities, risks, and long-term value creation across education and related industries. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the forces influencing capital allocation and the outlook for the sector in an evolving economic environment.

New Capital Models: Funding the Next Wave of Education Innovation

Venture investment in edtech has stabilized, with fewer high-risk bets and little expectation of a near-term return to 2021 peaks. In response, new capital models are emerging to support innovation, including blended finance, philanthropy, and strategic investment. This session explores how funding pathways are evolving, where capital is flowing, and how new structures are enabling the development of high-quality education solutions. Expect insight into how innovation gets funded in a more disciplined market.

Workshop: Step Inside the Agentic AI Revolution

Agentic AI is rapidly changing how organizations make decisions, solve problems, and create value. In this interactive workshop, participants will work directly with AI agents to experience how autonomous systems can augment leadership, accelerate innovation, and transform productivity. Through a series of live challenges and simulations, attendees will explore practical applications across education, business, and government. The session will also examine critical risks including governance, trust, accountability, and workforce disruption. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where agentic AI can create competitive advantage and where human judgment remains essential.

Day Two - September 17

Panel: The Great Higher Education Reset: Is College Worth It?

Rising costs, changing workforce demands, the growth of alternative credentials, and the impact of AI are reshaping perceptions of the value of higher education. As students, families, employers, and policymakers increasingly question the return on investment of a degree, higher education faces a pivotal moment. This session will explore the evolving value proposition of college, examining what the data says about outcomes, employability, social mobility, and lifelong earning potential. Join sector leaders and experts for a candid discussion on how institutions can adapt to meet changing expectations and reaffirm their role in creating opportunity.

The Global Skills Race: Insights from the World Future Skills Index

Drawing on the latest findings from the QS World Future Skills Index, this session explores how countries, institutions, and employers are preparing for an economy increasingly defined by human-AI collaboration. Discover which skills and capabilities will drive competitiveness in the decade ahead, where talent gaps are emerging, and what higher education must do to prepare learners for a future built on augmentation rather than replacement. Join Matteo Quacquarelli, QS Vice President Strategy & Analytics, for a data-driven discussion on the future of work, talent, and human potential.

Panel: The Long View vs the Innovation Cycle: Are Universities Best Placed To Look Ahead?

As AI and emerging technologies accelerate the pace of change, do universities still have the long view? This session explores whether higher education can play a defining role in supporting innovation, shaping future industries, and preparing society for what comes next. We'll examine the growing tension between market pressures for rapid results and the slower, deeper work required to drive breakthrough discovery, public-interest research, and lasting societal impact.

Panel: Access Denied: Pell Grants, Affordability, and Equity in Higher Ed

As the future of Pell Grants faces growing uncertainty, higher education leaders are confronting new questions about affordability, access, and student success. This session explores how proposed funding changes and policy shifts could impact the millions of students who rely on Pell Grants to enroll, persist, and complete their education — particularly low-income students, first-generation learners, and students of color. Join us for a timely conversation on the evolving role of federal aid and what institutions can do to support equitable pathways to college opportunity and economic mobility.

Future Proofing Curriculum Relevancy in a Changing World

Keeping academic portfolios and curricula relevant has become a strategic imperative. Institutions can no longer rely on periodic reviews alone; they need real-time insights into emerging skills, employer demand, and shifting learner expectations. Drawing on QS 1Mentor data, this session will explore how universities can use market intelligence to evaluate program relevance, identify growth opportunities, and align curricula with the skills employers need most. Discover how data-driven decision-making can help institutions build more agile portfolios, improve graduate outcomes, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing world.

Gen Z: The Next Generation of Leaders — or a Generation Left Behind?

Gen Z will become the dominant generation in the workforce just as AI transforms how we work, learn, and lead. As technology reshapes industries and career pathways, the skills, mindsets, and experiences required for success are rapidly evolving. Are today's education systems, employers, and institutions preparing young people for the opportunities ahead or for a world that no longer exists? This session will explore what it takes to develop the next generation of leaders in an era defined by disruption, innovation, and unprecedented change.

The Entrepreneurial Imperative: Creating the Architects of the Next Economy

Entrepreneurship has never been more accessible or more important. As AI and emerging technologies lower the barriers to building products, launching businesses, and reaching global markets, the ability to turn ideas into impact is becoming a defining competitive advantage. This panel explores how technology is democratizing innovation and creating new pathways to growth. Together, they will examine how to cultivate entrepreneurial talent and unlock the next generation of companies, industries, and economic opportunity.

TNE Readiness Workshop: Building a Strategy for Sustainable Global Growth

Transnational education (TNE) is becoming an increasingly important pathway for institutional growth, global engagement, and student access. But what does it take to build a successful and sustainable TNE strategy? This interactive workshop will help institutions assess their readiness for TNE expansion, explore emerging partnership models, and identify the key market, operational, and regulatory considerations that drive success. Through practical frameworks, peer discussion, and real-world examples, participants will gain actionable insights to inform their institution's global strategy.

Global Student Flows: Is the US still winning?

As global competition for talent intensifies, the United States is facing new questions about its ability to attract and retain international students. Shifting visa policies, geopolitical tensions, affordability concerns, and growing competition from other countries are reshaping global student mobility and enrollment patterns. This session explores the trends driving international student flows to the U.S., what they mean for higher education institutions, and how colleges and universities can adapt their recruitment and retention strategies in an increasingly competitive global market.

Closing Forum: The Future Won't Wait: Defining the Next 25 Years

As Back to School marks its 25th anniversary, this closing forum brings together leaders from across higher education, business, government, and technology to reflect on a quarter century of transformation and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that will shape the decades to come. From AI and workforce disruption to demographic change and global competition for talent, the future is arriving faster than ever. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the leadership, innovation, and partnerships required to build a more prosperous, resilient, and connected world.

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