The Value of Universities in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Hosted by Murdoch University, the IAU 17th General Conference on The Value of Universities in the Era of AI will feature a dynamic programme exploring emerging trends in higher education, drawing on diverse perspectives from all regions of the world. Read the conference concept note here.
Elections
The IAU General Conference is the supreme decision-making body of the Association. It meets once every four years and it is on this occasion that IAU Members elect the IAU President as well as the Administrative Board. The Board serves a tenure of four years.
Chaired by the President of the IAU, the Administrative Board is comprised of about 20 elected and ex-officio members as follows: executive heads of Member institutions and heads of Member organizations, the immediate past President, and the Secretary-General. A number of deputy members, from different regions and both categories of Membership, are also elected. The Administrative Board meets annually, ensures that decisions of the General Conference are implemented and guides the work of the IAU Secretariat.
Statutory documents:
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1. Who can stand for election to the IAU Administrative Board?
Candidacies can be accepted from the executive head of an IAU Member institution (ie Vice-Chancellor, President, Rector) or organization provided the following criteria are met:
The Member institution/organisation's Membership fees are fully paid up including the year in which the election falls (2026-2027).
The candidate has support from the executive heads of 5 IAU Member institutions/organisations in good standing (no Membership fee arrears).
The candidate is present at the time of the elections during the IAU 17th General Conference.
2. What does being an IAU Administrative Board member entail?
The IAU Administrative Board members are elected to serve for 4 years, until the next IAU General Conference.
The IAU Administrative Board meets once a year, usually prior to the IAU Annual Conference, with the exception of the first year when there is an additional meeting organised in Paris.
Committing to the Board means taking part in IAU activities and working groups, and providing strategic advice and feedback to the IAU Secretariat throughout the period of the mandate.
IAU Administrative Board members should promote the Association, its Members and the work of the Association.
3. I am interested in standing for election, how do I proceed?
First, check your eligibility (see question 1).
An online form will soon be made available to submit your interest in standing for election. Here you will have to provide a bionote and a brief description of your institution or organisation (no more than 300 words). You must also complete the nomination form and seek support from 5 IAU Members (institutions or organisations) in good standing (please note that the nomination form should be signed by the head of the Member institution/organization endorsing the candidacy). For questions regarding Members (contact information, advice, to confirm that the Member is in good standing) please contact Nicholas Poulton.
Once you have collected 5 endorsing signatures, you should submit them to Nicholas Poulton.
You may also submit additional endorsing signatures as you have them; if you are unable to obtain all 5 signatures before the conference, we will help you obtain them on site.
Please download, sign and return to us the Letter of Commitment, along with a photo (the photo will be posted on the conference website and on site at the conference).
4. Who can vote?
The executive head of an IAU Member institution or organisation fully paid up in its membership fees, including the year in which the election falls (2026-2027), and who is in attendance at the Conference. To find out whether your institution/organization is fully paid up, please contact Nicholas Poulton.
If the executive head of your institution is unable to attend the IAU 17th General Conference, a delegate may be chosen by the head to proxy vote. In order for IAU to accept this proxy vote, a letter certifying the proxy must be signed by the head of the institution.
Sponsorship
Sponsoring the IAU 2026 General Conference places your organisation at the heart of this influential global gathering—building visibility, credibility, and meaningful connections with the leaders shaping the future of higher education.
As a sponsor, we work with you to position your organisation alongside keynote sessions, networking events, and business development opportunities. Our sponsorship packages are flexible and can be tailored to your goals. Learn more about sponsoring the IAU 17th General Conference in the sponsorship brochure.
About our Local Partner
The IAU is pleased to be organising the 17th General Conference with support from Business Events Perth (BE Perth).