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Read below IAU news both from the Association and from its Members. Search or filter news by category (IAU or Member News), as well as by subject matter.
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Universities and AI: Insights from the IAU Global Survey at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week 2025
Trine Jensen, Manager of Higher Education and Digital Transformation, represented the IAU at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week 2025. This year’s conference was themed around ‘AI and the future of education: Disruptions, dilemmas and directions’, which took place from the 2nd to the 5th of September at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was proud to participate in the 16th Quadrennial General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU), taking place this week in Rabat, Morocco. Held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa,” the conference provides a vital platform for reflection, exchange, and collaboration among higher education leaders from across the African continent and beyond.
Sustainable, Inclusive, Science- and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda
From 14 to 23 July 2025, the IAU actively participated in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), held under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for leaving no one behind.” With a focus on SDG 3 (Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships), the Forum provided a key opportunity to highlight the transformative potential of higher education institutions (HEIs) in advancing the 2030 Agenda.
IAU Welcomes UN Human Rights Council Resolution on the Right to Education
On 7 July 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted Resolution A/HRC/RES/59/9 on the right to education. The International Association of Universities (IAU) warmly commends the Council for this important step forward and is pleased to see growing international consensus on the evolving nature and critical importance of education at all levels.
Advancing Gender Equality in Higher Education
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to be represented at the EWORA 2025 Conference by IAU Vice Presidnet Inga Zaleniene, Rector, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania. The conference is concluding today at Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Lisbon.
Advancing Fair, Transparent, and Cross-border Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications
The International Association of Universities (IAU) is honoured to participate in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Conference of the States Parties to the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning higher education, held on 25 June 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The IAU is represented onsite by IAU President Andrew Deeks, President and Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, Australia; IAU Secretary General Hilligje van't Land; and IAU Deputy Secretary General Andreas Corcoran.
What Role for Universities in Democracy?
In early June 2025, the Global Forum convened at Charles University to reflect on the evolving role of universities in fostering democratic societies. In a time marked by polarization and declining trust in institutions, the Forum offered a timely space for dialogue on how Higher Education can—and must—rise to the challenge.
High Level Expert Group Meeting with UN-OHRLLS on Online Universities
In early June 2025, the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) convened a High Level Expert Group Meeting on online university or equivalent platform for STEM education for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the framework of the the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries (2022 – 2031).
Navigating Common Waters: Ocean Science Diplomacy for a Sustainable Common Future
The IAU was pleased to co-organise a side event with the University of Bergen (UiB), INPO - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas, the International Science Council, and the United Nations Academic Impact (UN AI) in the context of the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice, France.
World Earth Month 2025: the Role of Higher Education Institutions in Addressing Sustainability Challenges
To mark World Earth Month 2025, the International Association of Universities (IAU) joined global partners at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris for an event convened by UNESCO IESALC in collaboration with National Geographic Learning. This high-level gathering brought together education leaders, sustainability experts, and policymakers to explore the transformative role of higher education in addressing global sustainability challenges.
FAUBAI 2025: Towards Equitable and Sustainable Partnerships
The International Association of Universities (IAU) took part in the 2025 Conference of FAUBAI – the Brazilian Association for International Education – held in Brazil. The event gathered higher education leaders, scholars, and internationalization professionals from across Latin America and around the world to reflect on the evolving role of international education in addressing shared global challenges
Shaping the Future of Erasmus+: IAU Contributes to Strategic Dialogue on Academic Mobility and Cooperation in Europe
On 29 April 2025, the IAU joined a key policy dialogue on the future of European academic mobility and cooperation, held in Brussels under the title “The Future of Europe = The Future of Erasmus+.” Organized by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) in collaboration with five of its members—DAAD (Germany), HK-dir (Norway), DZS (Czech Republic), Movetia (Switzerland), and VLUHR International (Flanders)—the event brought together a wide range of higher education stakeholders to reflect on the evolution of the Erasmus+ programme.
Empowering Youth as the Changemakers of Society
The 2025 Erasmus Generation Meeting (EGM) in Ancona was a moment of full-circle reflection and renewed commitment for the International Association of Universities (IAU). Representing the Association, Giorgio Marinoni, IAU Manager for Higher Education and Internationalization, addressed an audience of hundreds of young leaders at one of Erasmus Student Network’s (ESN) largest annual events.
IAU at the Global Education Coalition's Fifth Annual Meeting
On March 24, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the International Association of Universities (IAU) joined the Global Education Coalition (GEC) to shape the future of education and reaffirm our commitment to SDG 4.
Connecting Universities in a Divided World
When higher education institutions are deeply rooted in their national contexts, it can be challenging to see beyond familiar frameworks. Local policy concerns, cultural norms, and political pressures all shape institutional priorities—and rightly so. But without engaging with global perspectives, how can institutions effectively reflect on their role in a rapidly changing world?
IAU President Joins Global Dialogue at UA Solutions Summit 2025
IAU President Professor Andrew Deeks took part in the Universities Australia Solutions Summit 2025, joining higher education leaders from around the world to discuss how universities are navigating an increasingly complex global landscape.
IAU Vice President Participates in UNESCO Chairs Meeting in Tunis
IAU Vice President Professor Jouhaina Gherib recently took part in a regional meeting of UNESCO Chairs in Africa, held in Tunis and organized by UNESCO Higher Education and its regional offices.
IAU Celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science at UNESCO
The 2025 International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) brings renewed focus to closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. To mark the occasion, the International Association of Universities (IAU) was onsite at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to take part in a series of events highlighting the importance of diversity, inclusion, and representation in science.
IAU Supports the Launch of OpenEU: A New European Universities Alliance
The OpenEU Alliance has been launched as part of the broader European Universities Initiative, a flagship programme under the European Strategy for Universities. The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to be onsite for the launch, with Secretary General Dr. Hilligje van’t Land participating alongside university leadership teams and colleagues from EADTU.
Fostering a Global Conversation and Cooperation in Higher Education
What is higher education for? What does it mean for international higher education to be fair and ethical? Where does transnational higher education sit in the balance bewteen cooperation and competition? IAU Deputy Secretary General Andreas Corcoran recently discussed these questions, amongst others, with Fabrizio Trifirò on the latest episode of the "Experiences of International Education" podcast.