Governance
The International Association of Universities is a Membership-based organisation. It is governed by its Members who are elected to represent the Association’s Membership within its various decision-making bodies. The two main categories of Members who hold decision making power are the Institutional Members (universities & other higher education institutions) and Organisational Members (associations of universities).
President
Elected for a four-year non-renewable term, the IAU President is elected from among members of the Administrative Board at the General Conference. She or he chairs the Administrative Board and the Executive Committee. Read more about presidency here.
Andrew Deeks,
IAU President 2022-2026
President’s Message
IAU President Andrew Deeks, Vice Chancellor and Principal of Murdoch University, Australia, was elected at the IAU 16th General Conference in 2022 at University College Dublin. His term is from 2022-2026. Read the President’s message here.
Secretary General
The Secretary General serves as the head of the Association’s secretariat, responsible for the overall strategic leadership and management of the Association. This role involves representing the IAU on the global stage, fostering international collaboration in higher education, and overseeing the implementation of the Association’s various programmes and initiatives.
Hilligje van’t Land is the 5th Secretary General of the IAU.
Dr. Hilligje van’t Land,
IAU Secretary General
Administrative Board
All Members of the Administrative Board are elected for a four-year term. In addition to the President, the Board is comprised of 20 Members (18 heads of Member institutions & 2 heads of Member organizations). It also comprises two ex-officio Members (Immediate Past President & the Secretary General). Deputy Members may also be elected for each region and each category of Members. Balanced geographic and gender representation are guiding principles. The Administrative Board meets annually, ensures that decisions of the General Conference are implemented and guides the work of the IAU Secretariat. Some of its work is carried out through specific committees and working groups.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is composed of the President and four Vice-Presidents (each representing a different region of the world). It meets twice a year. The vice-presidents are designated by the President from among the Administrative Board Members, and their nomination is approved by the Administrative Board. The IAU Secretary General serves as secretary to the Executive Committee. The Committee acts on behalf of the Administrative Board between meetings. It guides the Association’s action agenda and provides support to the President of the Association by preparing the meetings of the Administrative Board.
General Conferences
The General Conference is the highest decision-making body of the Association. It is composed of all IAU institutional and organizational Members. It convenes every four years.
The General Conference decides on the main strategic goals of the association, approves its four year strategy, and adopts policy statements. It elects the President and Members of the Administrative Board. The Association can take positions and speak out in between General Conferences, hence the necessity of regular and strategic meetings.