Anders Hagfeldt Appointed President of ENLIGHT from January 2026
The Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University, Professor Anders Hagfeldt, has been appointed President of the ENLIGHT European University alliance, effective 1 January 2026. The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
The decision was taken by the ENLIGHT Governing Board, with unanimous support from all ten partner universities. As ENLIGHT enters its next phase of development, the creation of the President role marks an important step in strengthening the alliance’s shared leadership and strategic coherence.
“I am thrilled and proud to share that the ENLIGHT Governing Board has formally appointed an official ENLIGHT President to take up this new role, this new mantle, and this exciting new era for our alliance,”
said Dr Leah Vandeveer, Secretary General of ENLIGHT, in her closing address at the ENLIGHT General Meeting. 
In the picture above is Dr Leah Vandeveer at ENLIGHT General Meeting in Bratislava 2025 announcing the new President of ENLIGHT, Anders Hagfeldt.
“Professor Anders Hagfeldt, Rector of Uppsala University, has received unanimous and enthusiastic support from all ten institutions. This is more than a role; it is a statement of ENLIGHT’s ambition. It marks the beginning of a new chapter — a chapter where we move from ten universities working together on projects to one alliance moving forward as a unified, ambitious, and visible force in Europe. With Anders at the helm, we have a guiding presence to help steer ENLIGHT’s strategic vision, amplify our collective voice, and ensure that our shared goals are realised on the European stage.”
As President of ENLIGHT, Anders Hagfeldt aims to foster focused dialogue on priorities across the alliance and to strengthen the collective ability of ENLIGHT universities to translate joint initiatives into tangible outcomes.
“It is an honour to take on the role of President of ENLIGHT at a time when democracy is under pressure and when education issues are intensely discussed in the EU,” says Anders Hagfeldt.
In his role as Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University, Anders Hagfeldt has recently initiated a preliminary study on international student mobility — an area central to ENLIGHT’s mission. He views this work not only as a local initiative, but as a starting point for broader reflection across the alliance.
“I believe it is a challenge for each and every university in the alliance to analyse how its own organisation creates both obstacles and opportunities on the path toward achieving shared results within ENLIGHT,” he explains. “I hope that the outcome of this initiative will be of strategic importance to the alliance as a whole.”
In the picture above is the new President of ENLIGHT, Anders Hagfeldt, Rector of Uppsala University and participants of our General Meeting in Bratislava celebrating his appointment.
Reflecting on the wider role of ENLIGHT, Anders Hagfeldt emphasises the responsibility shared by all partner institutions to lead collectively and by example.
“We are an alliance of ten universities jointly pursuing the goal of creating the best possible conditions for increased internationalisation of education. For Uppsala University, this appointment underlines a significant and important responsibility to contribute actively to the strengthening of an already strong alliance.”
With the appointment of its first President, ENLIGHT takes a further step towards consolidated leadership, shared ambition, and a stronger, more visible presence within the European Higher Education landscape.