Global Perspectives at the 2026 Universities Australia Solutions Summit
From 23-26 February 2026, the International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to participate in the Universities Australia Solutions Summit, contributing a strong global perspective to discussions on the future of higher education in a rapidly changing world.
The Summit explored how universities are responding to profound global shifts — including geopolitical instability, declining trust in institutions, culture wars, and increasingly interventionist policy environments. Against this backdrop, universities continue to carry an enduring responsibility to deliver high-quality education and research that serves societies locally and globally.
Universities in a Changing World: IAU Session
The IAU-led session “Universities in a Changing World“ highlighted the Association’s history, mission, and vision and demonstrated how the IAU’s four strategic priorities together form a global platform for cooperation across higher education systems.
Chaired by IAU President Andrew Deeks, brought together perspectives from across leadership, policy, and practice to question how universities can adapt and thrive in an uncertain world? In response to this question, the expert speakers each focused on one priorty area of IAU work:
Andrew Deeks — Values-based leadership
Betty Leask, Professor Emerita, La Trobe University — Fair and inclusive internationalization
Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General, IAU — Higher education and research for sustainable development
Don Klinger, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Murdoch University — Digital transformation
The discussion underscored that while priorities and partnerships may evolve, universities’ responsibility to society remains constant — and cooperation is essential to navigating uncertainty.
In her presentation, Dr. van’t Land emphasised that international higher education cooperation is critical to achieving a more sustainable and inclusive future. By linking locally rooted education and research with global priorities, universities can create meaningful impact while contributing to the global common good. Through fair and inclusive internationalization and collaboration across disciplines and sectors — including industry and the public sector— universities are well positioned to address pressing global challenges.
Strengthening Engagement with Australian Universities
Beyond the designated IAU session, the Summit provided an important opportunity for strategic engagement between the IAU and the Australian higher education community. Representing the IAU, Dr. van’t Land and Dr. Deeks engaged in conversations with university leaders on the critical role of the IAU as a global membership organisation at a time of growing uncertainty and fragmentation.
These exchanges highlighted how the IAU supports universities worldwide in preserving democratic principles, protecting academic values and freedoms, and strengthening international cooperation in the face of geopolitical tensions, shifting policy environments, and declining trust in institutions. Discussions also emphasised the importance of values-based leadership, fair and inclusive internationalization, higher education and research for sustainable development, and the opportunities and challenges presented by digital transformation.
Through its global Membership and convening power, the IAU offers universities a trusted platform to connect local priorities with global responsibilities, collaborate across borders, and collectively contribute to sustainable, inclusive and socially responsible higher education systems. The Summit thus served as a key moment to reinforce the value of active engagement in the IAU community and to encourage deeper collaboration in support of shared global goals.
Looking Ahead: IAU General Conference 2026
The Summit also served as a key moment to build momentum towards the upcoming IAU 17th General Conference 2026, which will take place in at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia in November 2026. Under the theme Universities in the Age of AI, the conference will provide a global platform for dialogue on how higher education can navigate rapid technological change while upholding academic values, strengthening democratic societies, and advancing sustainable development worldwide.
