Digital Transformation
The digital transformation of society is inevitably reshaping the higher education sector, and it impacts the way HEIs operate at all levels: from governance to teaching and learning; from the content of curricula to knowledge production and research activities. This constitutes an important transformation of higher education that comes both with new opportunities, as well as challenges. It is an ongoing process that higher education institutions are reacting to, interacting with, shaping, and adapting to in increasingly digitalised societies.
The IAU actively advances digital transformation in higher education through a range of strategic initiatives - including normative work such as policy statements and global expert groups; monitoring efforts via global surveys; and capacity-building activities like institutional site visits, webinars, and publications.
Latest Digital Transformation Updates
Digital Transformation of Higher Education at the IAU
The IAU Policy Statement entitled “Transforming Higher Education in a Digital World for the Global Common Good“ provides the overall frame for the activities pursued by the IAU in Digital Transformation priority area. It outlines the core principles and values that must underpin this transformation.
“It is essential to build a humanistic, ethical, inclusive and purpose-based digital transformation of higher education for the global common good.”
The IAU aims to bridge digital divides through knowledge sharing and building global intelligence to enhance quality of and access to higher education. Activities and actions for Digital Transformation at the IAU are defined in the IAU 2030 Strategy and guided by the designated Working Group.
Monitoring Digital Transformation
Global trend analysis of digital transformation in higher education
As a global Association with members in all regions of the world, the IAU has a unique position to monitor global trends and share best practices. At the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, the IAU conducted an its first Global Survey to monitor the current state of digital transformation within higher education institutions (HEIs), the result of which led to the production of a report entitled: Higher Education in the Digital Era: The Current State of Transformation Around the World, which was released in January 2020.
The IAU launched the 2nd Global Survey on Digital Transformation in May 2024. It collected responses through the end of the year, and it's corresponding report is expected to be published in late 2025. This survey aims to assess how ongoing technological developments are contributing to broad transformations in higher education.
Areas of Strategic Focus
Open Science
Open science is an inclusive approach to knowledge creation and sharing that promotes transparency, accessibility, and collaboration across the global research community. The IAU works on open science to support universities in advancing equitable and responsible scientific practices that contribute to the global common good.
Generative Artificial Intelligence
In an era of rapid transformation in higher education, generative artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in reshaping teaching, research, and knowledge production. The IAU is working to help institutions navigate the various opportunities and challenges resulting from this new technology.
Capcity Building
Institutional Site Visits
IAU Institutional Site Visits create opportunities for exchange among Members while meeting at a university who excels in a particular digital transformation, tool, or innovation to improve higher education. Recent Institutional Site Visits have focused on Open Science at Utrecht University and Generative AI at Beijing Normal University.
Open EU Alliance
The IAU is an Associate Partner of the OpenEU Alliance, the first pan-European open university alliance. The OpenEU Alliances aims to establish a learner-centred, inclusive, digital and green open university with a European scope, widening access to quality higher education and lifelong learning to all.
Advocacy and Values
Digital Transformation Policy Statements
In the context of the rapid development of digital technologies affecting higher education and society at large, the IAU Expert Advisory Group has developed a Policy Statement on Transforming Higher Education in a Digital World for the Global Common Good to outline the key principles and values that must underpin this transformation. This policy statement serves as the framework for the Association’s actions in this field for the period 2022-2030. It also guides the IAU’s digital transformation related advocacy and contributions in international policy dialogues, including at the UN, UNESCO, and other global forums, ensuring that higher education remains a key actor in shaping an inclusive and values-based digital future.