All Publications
Publications from the IAU hold significant value for the global academic community. They provide critical insights into higher education trends, policies, and challenges worldwide. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of the worldwide higher education landscape, IAU publications help shape informed policy-making and institutional strategies. Additionally, these publications promote international collaboration and knowledge exchange, enhancing the quality and accessibility of education globally. The IAU's authoritative reports, research papers, and policy briefs are essential resources for educators, administrators, and policymakers striving to advance higher education in a rapidly evolving world.
The following IAU Publications are written by IAU Board Members, expert or working groups, Secretariat Members or in collaboration with Members. Read on to discover articles or papers written in collaboration with or about the IAU; the latest editions of the IAU Magazine, IAU Horizons; the quarterly publication Higher Education Policy (HEP); Policy Papers; and Annual Reports.
Shaping the Path Forward - Higher Education and Partnerships ahead of 2030
Discover the latest report on SDGs activities carried out by the IAU HESD Cluster members
IAU Horizons: Transforming our World: Shaping the Path Forward
A decade ago, the United Nations set a bold and inclusive vision for global transformation with the adoption of the UN Agenda 2030 – Transforming our World and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a holistic framework built on 5 pillars, environmental, social, economic dimensions, and peace and partnerships as key enablers for this much needed progress. It acknowledged the essential contributions of all sectors, yet, while higher education was recognized as a stakeholder, its pivotal role in advancing the SDGs was not given the centrality it deserves.
Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Economic Growth and Decent Work for All
“Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Economic Growth and Decent Work for All” is a comprehensive, open-access book that explores the challenges and solutions for achieving SDG 8, put together by the University of Gothenburg and the SDG 8 Cluster.
Open Science: The Challenge for Universities
Universities have endured over time as centres of knowledge, adapting to significant changes in their environments. They often share the ambition of being both flexible and reflective, and at the same time remaining committed to the fundamental values of higher education and to a core mission, namely fostering critical thinking, creativity, social progress, social responsibility, inclusivity, diversity and upholding the role of arbitrators of truth through academic integrity in knowledge production respectful of various epistemological traditions
Annual Report 2024
In 2024, IAU hosted 9 webinars, published numerous reports and policy statements, strengthened and engaged with our Membership base, and continued our advocacy work for our four priority areas: value based leadership, internationalization, sustainable development and digital transformation. Through these thematic priorities, the IAU has been able to continue project based work to facilitate international collaboration and knowledge production. To learn more about what IAU achieved in 2024, read the latest Annual Report.
IAU Horizons: The University: Shaped by Values and Shaping Values
In today’s dynamic, complex, and ever-evolving global landscape, universities are increasingly finding themselves on the front lines of social tension, economic and environmental uncertainty, and political change. These challenges transcend geographical boundaries, impacting universities worldwide irrespective of their size, traditions, cultures, or operational styles.
Higher Education on the Way to 2030
This fourth comprehensive report on the activities of the IAU HESD Cluster provides valuable insights into the efforts of the Members of the International Association of Universities (IAU) to address the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It underscores the crucial role of higher education and partnership in achieving these global goals.
IAU Speaks Out
The mandate of the International Association of Universities includes taking a public stand on issues of importance to its membership – higher education institutions and university organisations from around the world. To fulfill this advocacy function, Working Groups set up by its Administrative Board help IAU elaborate policy statements that call for changes and improvements within the higher education institutions or within the broader policy framework which sets the context for higher education development.
IAU Horizons: Universities and the Interplay between Human Intelligence and Generative AI.
The widespread distribution of generative AI has raised many questions for higher education institutions to address, spanning a wide spectrum of visions from utopian ideals to dystopian scenarios. To shed light on what is at stake for higher education, this ‘In Focus’ section is devoted to Universities and the Interplay between Human Intelligence and Generative AI.
Internationalization of Higher Education: Current Trends and Future Scenarios
The IAU 6th Global Survey on the Internationalization of Higher Education received responses from 722 higher education institutions (HEIs) in 110 countries and territories. The resulting survey report analyses the findings in order to present both global and regional trends. Furthermore, the report compares current findings with data from the IAU’s previous Global Surveys on Internationalization in order to explore long-term changes occurring in the internationalization field. Discover first results of the survey here.
Annual Report 2023
The Annual Report for 2023 of the International Association of Universities highlights key events, achievements, and activities for the year.
IAU Horizons: Countering Global Strife Through Interculturality
The In Focus section of this volume is dedicated to the theme Countering Global Strife Through Interculturality. In his keynote address at the IAU International Conference in 1990, the UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor Zaragoza declared that "universality and diversity are not to be construed as opposition, but rather a dialect, which has as its synthesis interdependence." More than 30 years later, this message is more important than ever.
IAU Global Cluster on HESD Activity Report 2022-2023
The IAU Global Cluster on HESD promotes the role and potential that HEIs globally have in order to achieve the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The Cluster encourages collaboration and takes a holistic approach to the SDGs, focusing specifically on the whole-institution approach. The IAU Global Cluster on HESD brings HEIs from all continents together and encourages them to develop joint initiatives and synergies.
Shaping Teaching & Learning and Internationalization Beyond the Pandemic
The first and second IAU Global Surveys on the Covid-19 Pandemic identified significant interruptions to both Teaching & Learning(T&L) and internationalization activities. The innovative responses from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) around the world noted in the Global Survey reports generated interest in investigating the particular reasons behind these changes. This qualitative research project focusing on specific aspects of transformations in T&L and internationalization was developed as a result.
IAU Horizons: The Future of Internationalization in a Changing World
The In Focus section of this volume is dedicated to the theme The Future of Internationalization in a Changing World. Authors from all regions of the world, representing different institutions and organizations, share their insights on the internationalization of higher education given ongoing global transformations. This edition of IAU Horizons also presents key outcomes from the IAU 16th General Conference.
Digitalisation of Administrative Services in Universities
This descriptive analysis reveals that the evolutionary trends of technological progress for administrative services increased significantly during the emergency. On the other hand, the forecasts for the future digital evolution of this kind of services follow two different paths: for what concerns the specific software and dedicated apps their usage level is expected to carry on their improvement also in the near future after the pandemic, even if at a lower rate if compared to the emergency period.
Annual Report 2022
The International Association of Universities (IAU) released its Annual Report for 2022, highlighting significant achievements and activities.
Accelerating Action for the SDGs in Higher Education
The report, published in January 2023, presents the findings and analyses trends from the third global survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD). IAU conducted the survey in 2022 and received 464 valid responses from higher education institutions in 120 countries were collected. The findings show that higher education and partnerships are essential to address the global challenges identified in the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to build a more sustainable future together.
Statement on the Transformation of Higher Education in the Digital Era
Digital transformation is one of the four strategic priorities of the International Association of Universities (IAU). The COVID19 pandemic has - as never before - accelerated digital transformation of higher education and it is an opportune moment to reflect how we wish to shape the future of higher education in an increasingly digital world. This IAU Policy Statement was developed to outline essential values and principles that must underpin the digital transformation.