About Conference

CALL FOR PAPERS

International Conference on Education Policy and Leadership

Theme:
Transforming Education Through Governance, Policy, and Leadership

📅 Date: May 18 – 22, 2026
📍 Venue: CMD Center, Kigali, Rwanda
🏢 Organizer: Center for Management Development (CMD) – Rwanda

🎯 Conference Overview

The International Conference on Education Policy and Leadership (ICEPL 2026) is a premier academic and professional gathering dedicated to exploring the future of education policy, governance, and leadership.

Education remains the foundation for national transformation, yet many countries continue to face challenges of equity, access, quality, and relevance. Rapid global changes, including digital transformation, new labor market demands, and sustainability goals, are reshaping expectations of education systems worldwide.

Hosted by the Center for Management Development (CMD) – Rwanda, this conference will convene scholars, policymakers, administrators, and practitioners to engage in scholarly dialogue and share best practices on how effective policy frameworks, governance structures, and visionary leadership can transform education for sustainable development.

Expected Outcomes

• Provide a research-driven knowledge base for education reform and leadership practices.
• Examine innovative policy and governance models in education across Africa and globally.
• Strengthen leadership capacity for schools, universities, and ministries.
• Showcase innovations in curriculum, technology, and inclusion for 21st-century education.
• Publish accepted papers in the CMD Rwanda Annual Conference Proceedings, with selected works considered for partner journals.

📌 Conference Modules & Extended Sub-Themes

Module 1: Education Policy and Reform

• Policy innovations for inclusive and equitable education
• Financing models for sustainable education systems
• Education reforms in line with SDGs and Vision 2050
• Comparative education policy across countries
• Monitoring & evaluation of education policies

Module 2: Governance in Education Systems

• Governance and accountability in education service delivery
• Community participation and decentralization in school governance
• Public-private partnerships (PPPs) in education
• Institutional reforms in universities and TVET institutions
• Digital governance tools for managing education systems

Module 3: Educational Leadership for Transformation

• Transformational leadership in education institutions
• Building leadership capacity among school and university managers
• Women and youth in education leadership
• Ethical and values-based leadership in education
• Managing institutional change in complex environments

Module 4: Curriculum, Innovation, and Technology

• Curriculum reforms for labor market relevance
• Digital learning, ICT integration, and online education platforms
• Artificial intelligence and adaptive learning models
• Research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in education
• Teacher training and professional development for the digital age

Module 5: Equity, Inclusion, and Lifelong Learning

• Inclusive education for marginalized and vulnerable groups
• Special needs education policies and practices
• Gender-responsive approaches in education leadership
• Lifelong learning frameworks and adult education
• Expanding equitable access to higher education

Module 6: Global Perspectives and Partnerships

• International cooperation in education policy and reforms
• Policy transfer and adaptation: Lessons for Africa
• Regional integration and harmonization of education standards
• Role of development partners in education transformation
• Building resilient education systems in times of crisis (pandemics, conflicts, climate change)

✍️ Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts: 250–300 words (title, author(s), affiliation, keywords)
• Full Papers: 5,000–8,000 words, APA or Harvard referencing style
• Review Process: Double-blind peer review by CMD Rwanda Academic Committee
• Proceedings: Accepted papers published in the CMD Rwanda Annual Conference Proceedings (ISSN pending). Selected outstanding papers considered for partner journals.

📅 Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: February 28, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: March 15, 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: April 20, 2026
• Conference Dates: May 18 – 22, 2026

📖 Draft Program Outline

Day 1 – May 18, 2026

• Registration & Opening Ceremony
• Keynote Address: Reimagining Education Policy for Africa’s Transformation
• Plenary I: Governance and Institutional Reform in Education

Day 2 – May 19, 2026

• Academic Paper Presentations (Parallel Sessions: Policy, Governance, Leadership)
• Panel Discussion: Financing Education for Sustainable Development

Day 3 – May 20, 2026

• Workshops: Leadership Development for Education Managers
• Roundtable: Curriculum Reform and Digital Learning

Day 4 – May 21, 2026

• Academic Paper Presentations (continued)
• Panel: Equity, Inclusion, and Lifelong Learning

Day 5 – May 22, 2026

• Closing Plenary: Global Partnerships and the Future of Education in Africa
• Adoption of Conference Resolutions
• Closing Ceremony & Certificate Presentation

💲 Conference Fee

• Advance Payment: $500 USD
• On-site Payment: $1000 USD (Cash Only)
  (Covers participation, conference materials, proceedings, tea/lunch breaks, and certificate)

📞 Contact & Submission

📞 Phone: +250 791 958 080
📧 Email: info@cmd.rw | papers@cmd.rw
🌐 Website: www.cmd.rw