News
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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Transforming Higher Education: Global Collaboration on Visioning and Action
The IAU was pleased to participate in the 12 March 2026 launch of the UNESCO publication “Transforming higher education: Global collaboration on visioning and action,” a landmark roadmap designed to reimagine and strengthen the higher education sector worldwide.
Advancing EU–Canada Academic Cooperation
From 25 to 27 February 2026, UNICA Days 2026 took place in Brussels under the theme “EU–Canada Cooperation: Shared Values, Shared Futures”. The event was co-organised by UNICA, the Delegation for Relations with Canada of the European Parliament, the International Association of Universities (IAU), and Science|Business.
Global Perspectives at the 2026 Universities Australia Solutions Summit
From 23-25 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.
Ilia State University Under Spotlight Amid Education Reforms
In early February 2026, Ilia State University (ISU), an IAU Member in Tbilisi, Georgia, became the focal point of national and international attention due to sweeping higher education reforms introduced by the Georgian government.
Renewing the Scientific Contract for Education
On 18 February 2026, IAU Secretary General Hilligje van’t Land represented the Association and contributed to the UNESCO symposium convened as part of the RUNES/AFIRSE 2026 International Conference on “The Renewal of the Scientific Contract of Education” and the UNESCO Futures of Education Initiative.
Inclusive and Collaborative Transnational Education
On 9 February, IAU Secretary General Dr. Hilligje van’t Land represented the Association in the seminar “Navigating Recognition of Qualifications in Transnational Education,” hosted by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) in Brussels.
Reflecting on European Higher Education in Geopolitically Challenging Times
The IAU was pleased to participate in the event “Reflecting on European Higher Education in Geopolitically Challenging Times”, co-organised by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), the European Association for International Education (EAIE), and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Navigating Student Mobility in an Era of Geopolitical Shifts
The Student Mobility Summit 2025, hosted by the University of Barcelona, brought together higher education leaders , adminstrators, and stakeholders from across Europe to examine the evolving landscape of international student mobility.
IAU Note on Rankings Released
This note, written by an expert group and approved by the IAU Adminsitrative Board, is in Support of the Report of the UNU-Convened Independent Expert Group on Global University Rankings
UNESCO ESD-NET Europe–North America Regional Workshop: Strengthening Collaboration for ESD for 2030
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to part in the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Regional Meeting held from 21-23 January 2026 in Bucharest, Romania.
New Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAU and ISC
IAU and ISC are pleased to announce the signing of an MOU to strengthen their collaboration on Science, Higher Education and Society.
75 Years of the IAU
On 9 December 2025, the International Association of Universities celebrates 75 years of collective commitment to strengthening higher education worldwide.
Charting New Horizons for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
From 19-21 November 2025, the IAU co-facilitated a dynamic workshop at the conference Charting New Horizons for Education for Sustainable Development.
IAU at the 2025 Magna Charta Observatory Conference
The IAU was pleased to participate in the 2025 Anniversary Conference of the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU), held at King’s College London and hosted by the Magna Charta Observatory (MCO).
IAU at the UNESCO General Conference 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
The International Association of Universities (IAU) is proud to actively participate in the UNESCO General Conference 2025. The IAU has a long-standing partnership with UNESCO and is committed to representing the global higher education community in international policy discussions.
IAU Participates in CAEI 2025 in San José, Costa Rica
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to take part in the 9th edition of the Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAEI), held from 15–17 October 2025 in San José, Costa Rica.
IAU Brings Global Attention to AAC&U Statement Defending Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
The IAU brings the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Public Statement on the Trump Administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” to the attention of the broader higher education community.
Driving Education Policy Forward: IAU Participation in the Council of Europe’s CDEDU
As part of its ongoing engagement in global and regional education policy dialogues, the International Association of Universities (IAU) participated in the recent meeting of the Council of Europe’s sub-group on higher education policy, a body working under the Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU). The meeting, held in Brussels and Leuven, brought together representatives and experts to prepare for the upcoming CDEDU plenary and to advance discussions on the future of higher education in Europe.
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.