Celebrating 75 Years of Global Cooperation in Higher Education
On 4 May 2026, the International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to celebrate a historic milestone: 75 years of fostering global cooperation in higher education. The celebration, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France brought together ambassadors, UNESCO delegations, representatives of national and regional university associations, IAU Members, and longstanding partners for a hour of reflection, conversation, and celebration.
The evening was a testament to the enduring strength of IAU’s mission—uniting universities worldwide to advance peace, understanding, and human development through higher education. As guests gathered, the atmosphere was one of both celebration and commitment, honoring the past while reaffirming the collective responsibility to shape the future of higher education.
From left to right: Noah W. Sobe, Chief of Section for Higher Education, UNESCO; Borhen Chakroun, Director of Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO; Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General, International Association of Universities; Qun Chen, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO; Andrew Deeks, President, International Association of Universities.
A Legacy of Connection: The IAU’s Journey
Founded in 1950 under the auspices of UNESCO, the IAU emerged in the aftermath of the Second World War, when the international community recognized the urgent need for cooperation in higher education as a cornerstone of peace and shared progress. From its inception, the IAU was envisioned as a global convener, providing a platform for universities to collaborate across borders, cultures, and systems.
Over the past seven decades, the IAU has:
Championed academic values such as freedom, equity, and quality in higher education.
Facilitated dialogue among diverse higher education stakeholders, from institutional leaders to students.
Addressed global challenges, including access to education, sustainability, digital transformation, and the public responsibility of universities.
Strengthened international partnerships, particularly with UNESCO, to advance education as a global common good.
Today, the IAU represents over 600 Members from more than 130 countries, making it one of the most inclusive and representative higher education associations in the world.
Voices of the Evening: Speeches from IAU and UNESCO Leaders
The celebration featured inspiring remarks from three key figures in global higher education: IAU President Andrew Deeks, IAU Secretary General Hilligje van’t Land, and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Qun Chen. Their speeches underscored the historical significance of the IAU’s work and the critical role of collaboration in addressing the challenges of our time.
Andrew Deeks opened the evening by grounding the audience in the Association’s rich history as a global convener. His words carried the weight of seven and a half decades of collaboration, as he reminded the audience of the IAU’s foundational role:
“Over the past seventy five years, the IAU has served as a unique global convener for higher education. It has provided a trusted forum for dialogue across cultures and systems, championed core academic values, and supported universities in addressing shared challenges—from access and quality, to academic freedom, sustainability and the public responsibility of higher education.”
IAU President Andrew Deeks
He then challenged the audience to look ahead, framing the anniversary as a moment of renewal and recommitment. In a world where higher education faces unprecedented global challenges, he emphasized that the partnership between UNESCO and the IAU remains indispensable:
“[This] anniversary is a moment not only to reflect, but to renew our shared commitment. At a time when higher education faces profound global challenges, the partnership between UNESCO and the IAU remains as relevant—and as necessary—as ever.”
His remarks set the stage for a deeper exploration of how higher education can continue to drive meaningful change. Building on Andrew’s reflection, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Qun Che, highlighted the role of universities as bridges between cultures and drivers of global cooperation. He spoke with conviction about the IAU’s contributions to multilateralism in higher education:
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Qun Chen
“UNESCO greatly values the work the IAU has played in mobilizing higher education institutions in a spirit of multilateralism. [The IAU’s] work helps demonstrate that universities are not only centres of knowledge but also bridges between cultures and drivers for global cooperation.”
Qun’s words underscored UNESCO and the IAU’s shared vision: a world in which higher education fosters understanding, solidarity, and sustainable development. His speech reinforced the idea that the IAU’s mission—to convene, connect, and collaborate—is more vital than ever in today’s fragmented geopolitical landscape.
As the final speaker of the evening, IAU Secretary General Hilligje van’t Land brought the conversation to an inspiring and forward-looking moment. She spoke passionately about the responsibility and opportunity that higher education holds:
“Higher education holds a unique responsibility and opportunity. It can offer high-quality, independent learning environments and drive transformative research that addresses the pressing challenges of our time, including those reflected in the global ambitions of Agenda 2030. It has the power to transform individual lives, strengthen communities and the collective, and contribute meaningfully to the global common good.”
IAU Secretary General Hilligje van’t Land
Hilligje’s closing remarks left the audience with a call to action—a reminder that the IAU’s work in connecting people, institutions, and knowledge systems is essential to unlocking the full potential of higher education. Her words resonated as a fitting conclusion to an evening of reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment.
Looking Ahead: The Next 75 Years
As the evening drew to a close, the message was clear: the work of the IAU is far from over. In a world facing geopolitical tensions, climate change, and rapid technological advancements, the need for strong, independent, and globally minded platforms like the IAU has never been greater.
The 75th anniversary celebration was more than a commemoration—it was a call to action. A reminder that higher education must remain a driver of transformation, a guardian of shared values, and a catalyst for global cooperation.
Here is to the next 75 years of collaboration, innovation, and impact.
