New Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAU and ISC
The IAU has formalized a new partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Science Council (ISC). This collaboration connects the global voice of science with the global voice of higher education, creating a powerful alliance for collective action. Building on their complementary roles, the two global organizations will combine their expertise to drive progress on global sustainability, equitable research systems, and strengthened links between science and society.
How do Science and Higher Education intersect?
Science and higher education are deeply interconnected, with universities serving as central hubs for scientific research, knowledge creation, and the education of future scientists. Higher education provides the environments and expertise where scientific inquiry can thrive, while science fuels innovation and advances academic disciplines. Together, they foster informed societies, resilient research systems, and the skills needed to address global challenges. This connection is essential for sustaining vibrant knowledge ecosystems and reinforcing the links between research, policy, and society.
About the International Science Council (ISC)
The ISC is a global, non-governmental organization representing international, regional and national scientific bodies. Created in 2018 through the merger of the International Council for Science and the International Social Science Council, the ISC works at the global level to catalyse and convene scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major concern to both science and society.
A Commitment to Collaboration
On December 2nd, 2025, Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General of the IAU and Robbert Dijkgraaf, president-elect of the ISC provided key note speeches on academic diplomacy at an event organised by The Norwegian Academic of Science in Oslo, Norway. In this appropriate setting, the two organizations signed an agreement demonstrating their commitment to continued collaboration in the following areas:
Sustainability and the 2030 Agenda
Open science, publishing and research assessment
Higher education and science in times of crisis
The evolving relationship between science and society
Scientometrics and the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
The impacts of AI on science
Underscoring the significance of sustained collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint action informed by their respective networks and areas of expertise, they issued the following statement:
“In an era of geopolitical tension, academic diplomacy is often the last, best functioning form of international dialogue.
Universities can maintain scientific cooperation across political divides, create safe spaces for global conversations, support displaced students and scholars, and preserve knowledge flows when borders close. University associations and networks, like science academies and networks, have the high potential to serve as multilateral diplomatic platforms which should be interconnected. They amplify universities’ and science networks’ voices and their capacity to act.
Academic and scientific diplomacy is not symbolic. It is strategic. It is stabilizing. And it is urgently needed.”
Signing of the MOU by Robbert Dijkgraaf (ISC) and Hilligje van’t Land (IAU)
Future Directions
Through this MoU, the ISC and IAU reaffirm their committed partnership and aligned missions at the intersection of science, higher education, and society. They will pursue joint efforts in these interconnected areas that aim to foster understanding, inform decision-making, and drive meaningful change. Through the integration of their individual capacities, the organizations strive to amplify the impact of their work on global challenges. The IAU looks forward to translating this shared vision with the ISC into practical initiatives that benefit both the scientific and higher education communities worldwide.
