President’s Message

Andrew Deeks, IAU President 2022-2026

It is a privilege to serve as President of the International Association of Universities, the global voice of higher education.

Universities have always played a vital role in society. They create and preserve knowledge, educate future generations, and provide independent expertise to help address the complex challenges facing our communities. Today, that role is more important than ever. Rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, environmental pressures, and growing social divisions are reshaping our world and demanding thoughtful, evidence-based responses.

The IAU brings together universities and university associations from every region of the globe. Our greatest strength is the diversity of our Membership and the shared commitment of institutions operating in very different contexts to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and work together in pursuit of the common good.

As the global voice of higher education, the IAU provides an independent platform through which universities can advocate for the values that underpin our work: academic freedom, institutional autonomy, international cooperation, excellence in teaching and research, and equitable access to higher education. These principles are fundamental to the contribution universities make to peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable societies.

Through our strategic priorities of values-based leadership, internationalization for the global common good, sustainable development, and digital transformation, we support institutions in responding to emerging challenges while remaining true to their core purpose. Increasingly, these priorities intersect. The most significant issues facing higher education cannot be addressed in isolation, nor can they be solved by any single institution or nation acting alone.

The challenges confronting humanity are global in nature, and so too must be many of the solutions. Universities are uniquely positioned to contribute through education, research, innovation, and international partnership. The IAU exists to help strengthen those contributions by bringing institutions together across borders and cultures.

Whether you are already part of the IAU community or considering Membership, I encourage you to engage actively with the Association's programmes, networks, and events. I look forward to working with you to advance higher education and its contribution to society worldwide.