"University is where we go to learn about ourselves and the world around us." - Malala Yousafzai

According to a recent study, 83% of world leaders have completed higher education, with nearly half holding a postgraduate degree.

This trend is not limited to any particular region, with leaders from all over the world boasting higher education qualifications. However, the subjects studied by these world leaders are incredibly diverse. While some leaders, like Switzerland's Alain Berset, chose to study political science, others, such as Margaret Thatcher studied Chemistry, and President Macron studied Philosophy.

Whatever subjects they may have studied, they will all have benefitted from the overall university Besides their academic qualifications world leaders, like all university students, benefit from the wider soft skills which are inherent in studying for a degree such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration and building a network of contacts. The additional value of higher education for leadership roles is that it equips individuals with both the knowledge and the skills necessary to navigate complex and often rapidly changing environments. This is especially true in today's world, where technology and globalization have accelerated the pace of change and increased the complexity of many problems.

Higher education provides individuals with the problem-solving and analytical skills necessary to tackle these challenges. These skills are essential for effective leadership, as they enable individuals to build relationships, motivate teams, and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Soft skills are often developed through practical assignments and group projects, which allow students to work in teams and develop their communication and leadership skills in a real-world setting.

While the importance of higher education for leadership roles is clear, the landscape of higher education itself has become increasingly competitive. Elite universities remain in high demand, as they are seen as providing the best opportunities for personal and professional development. This is reflected in the statistics, which show that the top 10 universities in the world receive a disproportionate amount of applications each year. However, it is worth noting that attending an elite university is not a guarantee of success, and individuals can still achieve great things regardless of where they studied.