IAU and WUA Launch Key Activities for UNESCO-Supported Internationalization Programme
The International Association of Universities (IAU) has officially launched the implementation phase of its UNESCO Participation Programme project, "Promoting Equitable and Inclusive Internationalization at Universities in Africa," in partnership with the Women’s University in Africa (WUA).
As part of this collaborative initiative, WUA has established a Steering Committee to lead the institutional process and is currently conducting a comprehensive self-assessment of its internationalization strategies and practices. This critical first step will help identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for more inclusive and context-responsive international engagement.
To support WUA in this process, IAU has convened an Expert Panel composed of seasoned leaders in higher education and internationalization:
Inga Zaleniene, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania and IAU Vice-President
Wondwosen Tamrat, President of St Mary’s University, Ethiopia and IAU Deputy Board Member
Lavern Samuels, Director of International Education and Partnerships at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and President of the Board of Directors, International Virtual Exchange Consortium
Giorgio Marinoni, Manager, Higher Education and Internationalization at IAU
The Expert Panel will conduct a site visit to the Women’s University in Africa on 19–20 November 2025, followed by a capacity-building workshop on 21 November. These activities mark an important milestone in the programme’s goal to foster internationalization practices that are equitable, inclusive, and aligned with institutional missions in the African higher education context.
