UNESCO Participation Programme: Promoting Equitable and Inclusive Internationalization at Universities in Africa

The International Association of Universities (IAU) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant under the UNESCO Participation Programme for a new initiative titled "Promoting Equitable and Inclusive Internationalization at Universities in Africa." This project underscores IAU’s long-standing commitment to supporting higher education institutions in developing inclusive and contextually grounded internationalization strategies.

Running from December 2024 to December 2025, the programme will be implemented in close partnership with the Women’s University in Africa, based in Zimbabwe. Together, we will work to enhance institutional capacities and advance internationalization processes that are locally relevant, gender-responsive, and socially equitable.

The initiative will be guided by the IAU’s Higher Education Internationalization Advisory Services (HEIAS) methodology, which offers a structured, participatory approach to strategic planning and peer learning. Through this framework, the programme aims to support the Women’s University in Africa in strengthening its international engagement in ways that align with its mission and regional priorities.

This UNESCO-supported project builds on IAU’s broader efforts to promote internationalization for all, ensuring that global engagement in higher education serves the principles of equity, inclusion, and mutual benefit.