International Association of Universities - IAU

11/10/2026

👧🏻 On the International Day of the Girl Child, the IAU highlights the importance of education in creating opportunities for girls and supporting them in shaping their futures.

Higher education plays an important role in advancing equity in access and success, while helping young women develop knowledge, skills and agency.

📣 As a global voice for higher education, the IAU remains committed to equity, social responsibility and education that contributes to a sustainable future.

09/10/2026

🌍 An important occasion for higher education leaders and internationalization professionals across Africa!

The 16th African Network for Internationalization of Education - ANIE Annual Conference, taking place 14–16 October in Addis Ababa, will explore how African universities can build resilient knowledge ecosystems through stronger partnerships, policy coherence and innovation.

The IAU is pleased to contribute through an IAU panel on “The importance of advisory services to advance internationalisation,” which will feature Prof. Wondwosen Tamrat, IAU Deputy Board Member and President of . Mary’s University, Ethiopia; Dr Lavern Samuels, representing IAU Member Durban University of Technology; and Prof. Sunungurai Dominica Chingarande, representing IAU Member ’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe.

📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
📅 14–16 October 2026
🔗 Find out more and register: https://anienetwork.org/conference/

ANIE 2026 — 16th Annual Conference · Addis Ababa Keynote speaker John Mugo, PhD Executive Director, Mizizi Elimu Afrika · Nairobi, Kenya John Mugo is the

08/10/2026

💡 What should higher education prioritize as we approach 2030 and beyond?

Following a meeting of university leaders, researchers, and sustainability experts in Carthage, Tunisia, the 𝗜𝗔𝗨 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 has published a position paper outlining five priorities for higher education as we approach 2030 and beyond:

1️⃣ Embed sustainability across the whole institution
2️⃣ Promote democratic values, trust, and institutional responsibility
3️⃣ Advance inclusion, equity, and the decolonization of knowledge
4️⃣ Ensure the responsible development and use of science and AI
5️⃣ Transform governance and funding models to support long-term change

🤝 One key message stands out: universities can have the greatest impact when they work together. Stronger partnerships, shared learning, and coordinated action will be essential to achieving sustainable development goals in the years ahead.

📖 Read about the Cluster meeting and the new position paper here:

Updated July 2026 A Global Gathering for Sustainable Development 

08/10/2026

⌛ What comes after the SDGs?

The IAU and University World News have launched a 12-month commentary series exploring the evolution of the SDGs and higher education’s role in shaping the post-2030 sustainable development agenda.

Running from September 2026 to August 2027, the series will feature monthly expert commentaries offering diverse perspectives on key SDGs, themes, and challenges from different regions and higher education contexts.

🔗 Follow the series: https://iau.global/news/uwn-and-iau-launch-new-commentary-series-beyond-2030-higher-education-and-the-future-of-sustainable-developmentnbsp
📖 Read the first commentary: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20260925135419884

The Global Window on Higher Education

07/10/2026

🏫 A whole-institution approach to sustainability means bringing learners, staff, and leadership together to create meaningful change.

UNESCO’s publication 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘞𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦-𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩, co-authored by Hilligje van’t Land (IAU Secretary General) and Isabel Toman (IAU Senior Programme Officer for Sustainable Development) with Kathrin Kohl and Charles Hopkins, highlights 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 as an example of leadership in action.

As the publication highlights: “Integral to the programme is the learner-led audit, in which learners have the opportunity to evaluate and report on what is being done in their institution to make it more sustainable.”

🤝 The IAU is proud to partner with SOS UK on Responsible Futures International since 2023, connecting institutions globally to embed sustainability in learning and empower students as partners in change.

📖 Read the publication: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000399350
🌍 Find out more about Responsible Futures: https://iau.global/responsible-futures

07/10/2026

📣 Applications are still open for the IAU 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 (𝗘𝗟𝗣) 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 cohort!

Designed for current and emerging university leaders, the ELP combines two in-person gatherings with a year of interactive online modules and peer learning. The programme will open at the IAU 17th General Conference at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, continue online throughout the year, and conclude at the IAU International Conference 2027 at Queen's University, Canada.

It is a unique opportunity to learn from experienced university leaders, exchange ideas with peers, and strengthen your leadership practice through action learning and global collaboration.

🔗 Read more and apply here: https://iau.global/news/applications-open-elp-26-27

Each year, the IAU reserves a dedicated budget to offer a HEIAS Annual Fee Waiver to one IAU Member institution. This Fee Waiver provides access, free of charge, to selected online modules of the HEIAS services, allowing institutions to strengthen their internationalisation strategy through structur

06/10/2026

🌟 We are looking forward to meeting at Universidade Aberta de Portugal later this month!

🇵🇹 The IAU is continuing its Openeu Alliance Study Visit series with the second visit, taking place at Universidade Aberta (UAb) in Lisbon on 20–21 October.

🇪🇸 The first visit, hosted by Uned_madrid in Madrid, brought together colleagues from 16 institutions and 13 countries for peer learning and cross-border exchange, with a focus on accessible and inclusive education and distance learning.

🔎 Ahead of our visit to UAb, read about the UNED Study Visit and get a glimpse of the exchange, learning and collaboration that these visits are creating across the OpenEU Alliance.
https://iau.global/news/open-eu-alliance-meeting-and-study-visit-at-uned

06/10/2026

📜 What does it mean for the Magna Charta to be a “living document” today?

Next week, the IAU will be in Vilnius for the 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, hosted by Mykolas Romeris University from 14–16 October.

The conference will bring together university leaders, scholars, policymakers and students to explore how core university values can guide institutions through a rapidly changing world.

Hilligje van’t Land, IAU Secretary General, will moderate a session exploring security challenges, the role of universities, and relationships with states and international strategies. She looks forward to connecting with colleagues from across the global higher education community in Vilnius 🇱🇹

05/10/2026

📅 One month to go until the IAU General Conference!

Under the theme “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗿𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲,” the global higher education community will come together to explore how universities can navigate rapid technological change while upholding their fundamental values and responsibilities.

🎓 Around 400 university leaders from more than 80 countries will join 40 expert speakers for dynamic discussions, panels, breakout sessions and opportunities to connect, exchange perspectives and build meaningful partnerships.

🤖 From artificial intelligence and sustainability to internationalization and values-based leadership, the programme will address key questions shaping the future of higher education.

🗳️ IAU Members will elect the new Administrative Board and contribute to shaping the Association’s future.

🚀 The IAU Executive Leadership Programme will also mark the conclusion of the current cohort and welcome a new cohort of university leaders committed to transformative leadership in higher education.

📅 Register now and secure your place at the IAU General Conference! https://na.eventscloud.com/website/93690/registration/

05/10/2026

🎓 World Teachers’ Day 2026

👏 Today, the IAU celebrates teachers and higher-education teaching personnel worldwide for their vital contribution to education, research and society.

This year’s UNESCO theme, “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures,” marks six decades since the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

For higher education, this commitment was strengthened in 1997 with the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel, adopted here in Paris on 11 November.

Recognising the need to ensure its continued relevance, UNESCO has initiated a comprehensive revision process. The IAU is playing an active role by convening an international consultation group of university leaders and higher education experts, whose input will directly inform UNESCO’s Independent Expert Group.

📜 We encourage you to read the UNESCO Recommendation here: https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/recommendation-concerning-status-higher-education-teaching-personnel?hub=66722
🔗 Find out more about the IAU's contribution here: https://iau.global/news/iau-contributes-to-the-revision-of-the-unesco-recommendation-on-higher-education-teaching-personnel

 PreambleThe General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), meeting in Paris from 21 October to 12 November 1997, at its 29th session,Conscious of the responsibi...