General
Conferences
The 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 and Administrative Board Members and set the strategic direction for the Association. In addition to Business Sessions for Members, the General Conference also includes a thematic programme devoted to a specific topic. The General Conference is open to all higher education stakeholders, but only representatives of IAU Member institutions and organizations can take part in decision-making and elections.
Latest General Conference
The IAU 16th General Conference, hosted by University College Dublin took place in Dublin, Ireland from 25-28 October 2022.
Some 300 higher education leaders and experts from 70 countries came together to discuss the theme Relevance and Value of Universities to Future Society. Many insightful discussions took place, bringing new perspectives on the role of higher education today, the one we want for tomorrow, and its relevance for societal development.
At the Conference, Members of the IAU elected the new President and Board of the Association for the 2022-2026 term.
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The presentations are now available on the conference website in the description of the relevant session.
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Watch the recordings of the IAU 16th General Conference on our Youtube page or via the link in the relevant session description on the Conference Programme.
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See the conference photos here.
Past General Conferences
16th General Conference (2022), University College Dublin, Ireland. Topic: Relevance and Value of Universities to Future Society.
15th General Conference (2016), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Topic: Higher Education: A Catalyst for Sustainable and Innovative Societies.
14th General Conference (2012), Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico. Topic: Higher Education and the Global Agenda – Alternative Paths to the Future.
13th General Conference (2008), University of Utrecht, the Netherlands. Topic: Higher Education and Research – Addressing Local and Global Needs.
12th General Conference (2004), University of São Paulo, Brazil. Topic: The Wealth of Diversity: the Role of Universities in Promoting Dialogue and Development.
11th General Conference (2000), Durban, South Africa. Topic: Universities: Gateway to the Future.
10th General Conference (1995), New Delhi, India. Topic: Global Civilization and Cultural Roots: Bridging the Gap – The Place of International University Cooperation.
9th General Conference (1990), University of Helsinki, Finland. Topic: Universality, Diversity, Interdependence.
8th General Conference (1985), University of California, Los Angeles, USA. Topic: The International Responsibilities of Universities.
7th General Conference (1980), Philippines Women’s University in Manila, Philippines. Topic: The Special Role of Universities in the Development of International Cooperation.
6th General Conference (1975), Moscow, Soviet Union. Topic: Higher Education at the Approach of the Twenty-First Century.
5th General Conference (1970), Montreal, Canada. Topic: The International University Cooperation & the University and the Needs of Contemporary Society.
4th General Conference (1965), Tokyo, Japan. Topic: Access to Higher Education, The Contribution of Higher Education to Economic and Cultural Development & University Autonomy.
3rd General Conference (1960), National University of Mexico. Topic: The Interplay of Scientific and Cultural Values, University Education and Public Service and the Expansion of Higher Education.
2nd General Conference (1955), Istanbul, Turkey. Topic: The Role of Universities in the Rapidly-Evolving Society, with Special Reference to the General and Professional Education of Teachers, Research Workers in the Natural Sciences, and Leaders in National Life.
1st General Conference (1950), Nice, France. Topic: The Role of Universities in the Face of the Material and Moral Changes Brought about in Contemporary Society by Scientific and Technological Progress.