The course was a great learning experience. Most of the course involved learning about business management and responsible AI use, and we also touched on psychology a little bit, which was really interesting. I liked how the course didn't really have a set age it was meant for - there were people of all ages there. I feared I'd be missing context and information, due to the fact I was the only person still in highschool there, but everything was explained in depth, and I didn't find myself lost at any point throughout the course. It also helped that the group was relatively small. It allowed all of us to give our inputs and ask questions, and, most importantly, it helped a lot of people feel really comfortable, including myself.
A Look Back at the NEWTON Global Leaders Academy 2026
31. 8. 2026 NUG World Study and Education Renáta Šejnová 3 minutes
What happens when students from around the world come together in the heart of Prague in the middle of summer to explore the future of business? You get an intensely immersive environment that challenges established perspectives. The summer edition of NEWTON Global Leaders Academy 2026 delivered a programme that packed the momentum of an entire semester into one action filled week. The result? A new generation of confident leaders ready to embrace the challenges of tomorrow.
In today’s world, passively absorbing information is no longer enough. That is why we focus on developing critical thinking, understanding sustainable innovation and learning how to use artificial intelligence effectively. These were the three pillars of this year’s NEWTON Global Leaders Academy, with all courses taught exclusively in English by experienced professionals from the world of business.
But the programme was about much more than facts and figures. Its real strength lay in the incredible diversity of its participants and the opportunity to share experiences across generations and cultures.
An entire semester in one week
The atmosphere and intensity of the programme are perfectly captured by its lecturer and academic lead, BSc. Robert Michael Westbrook MBA, LL.M., who highlights the unique synergy within the group:
“It was an incredibly intense and rewarding experience, essentially an entire semester condensed into one highly interactive week. One of the programme’s greatest strengths was the wide range of ages, backgrounds and experiences among the participants. This brought very different perspectives into our discussions and significantly enriched the learning process.”
Interaction and the courage to ask questions were at the heart of the entire course. Throughout the programme, participants were encouraged to engage actively with the material and challenge established ways of thinking.
“The students were engaged throughout the entire programme. They learned not only from the course itself, but also from one another,” Westbrook adds, describing the dynamic learning environment.
A safe space for big ideas, regardless of age
Participants came from a wide range of backgrounds and continents. The decision to keep the programme deliberately small, with a maximum of twelve participants, made it possible to create an exceptionally inclusive and supportive environment.
Evelina Peškova, a student at Novaschool, experienced this first hand. For her, taking part in the Academy represented a major step forward.
According to Evelina, the small group size played a crucial role. It gave everyone the space to express their opinions and ask questions, helping participants quickly relax and feel completely comfortable.
Critical thinking and breaking down preconceptions
Being a leader in 2026 is no longer simply about managing people. It also means understanding the ethical and social implications of technology and being able to anticipate what lies around the corner. The experiences shared by this year’s participants reflect this shift clearly.
It was a pleasure to be part of the NEWTON Global Leaders Academy, where I explored advanced critical thinking, leadership, bias, and the evolving role of AI in business and society. Learning and exchanging perspectives with people of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds from around the world made the experience truly inspiring and enjoyable. The Academy challenged me to think differently, embrace new perspectives, and become a more confident and future-focused leader.
Sandra Too, student Global Business Management, NEWTON University
For Sandra, the opportunity to connect across cultures was one of the most valuable aspects of the experience.
“Learning and exchanging perspectives with people of different ages, cultures and backgrounds from around the world made this experience truly inspiring and enjoyable. The Academy challenged me to think differently, embrace new perspectives and become a more confident, future focused leader.”
A community that extends beyond campus
Classes took place at NEWTON University in Prague, but the team spirit developed well beyond the classroom. The organisers combined academic sessions with shared experiences outside the university, from an afternoon at Prague Zoo to a guided tour of Prague’s historic centre and Prague Castle.
According to Robert Michael Westbrook, these experiences helped create a strong sense of belonging within the group.
The intensive week culminated in presentations of the participants’ so called capstone projects, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate what they had learned and, in some cases, propose their own sustainable solutions supported by artificial intelligence.
“The quality, creativity and depth of the students’ work clearly demonstrated how much they were able to absorb and develop in such a short period of time. Overall, it was an intense, dynamic and truly unforgettable programme,” Westbrook concludes proudly.
This year’s NEWTON Global Leaders Academy once again demonstrated that changing the way you think about the world and business does not necessarily take years. Sometimes, one exceptional week, the right people around you and the willingness to push your own boundaries are enough.
31. 8. 2026 NUG World Study and Education
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