International Association of Universities
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| Abbreviation | IAU |
|---|---|
| Motto | For a worldwide higher education community |
| Formation | 1950 |
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose/focus | Educational |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Region served | Worldwide |
| Membership | Universities, higher education associations |
| Official languages | French, English |
| Executive General Secretary | Eva Egron-Polak |
| Main organ | General Assembly |
| Website | [www.unesco.org/iau] |
The International Association of Universities (IAU) is the UNESCO-based worldwide association of higher education institutions. It brings together institutions and organisations from some 150 countries[1] for "reflection and action on common concerns and collaborates with various international, regional and national bodies active in higher education"[2].
IAU is based in Paris, France and located at the headquarters of UNESCO. However, it is an independent organization.
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[edit] Leadership
In 2008, the General Assembly of IAU elected Juan Ramon de la Fuente, former Rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico as its President, for the 2008-2012 term.
The General Executive Secretary is Eva Egron-Polak, former International Vice President at the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
[edit] Worldwide database of universities
Among its different services, IAU produces on an annual basis an International Handbook of Universities[3], and the World Higher Education Database which includes information of some 17,000 higher education institutions recognized by their respective national authorities in 183 countries [4].
However, IAU does not "recognize or accredit institutions of higher education." Rather "the IAU/UNESCO Information Center on Higher Education publishes official directories of recognized institutions worldwide, the lists of which have been provided by the competent higher education authorities in each country."[5]
The presence of an institution in this list does not by itself mean that it is an accredited institution in any given jurisdiction. Information regarding accreditation in any particular jurisdiction should be obtained from the appropriate local authorities in the usual way. For instance, in the United States, jurisdiction is overseen by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. In other countries, similar entities may exist.
[edit] References
- ^ The updated list of IAU members can be consulted at http://www.unesco.org/iau/members_friends/index.html
- ^ The complete Mission Statement is available at http://www.unesco.org/iau/association/index.html
- ^ More information about this publication is available at http://www.unesco.org/iau/directories/handbook.html
- ^ An online database is available at http://www.unesco.org/iau/directories/index.html
- ^ A word of caution about the sources of information for the database http://www.unesco.org/iau/faq.html#6
[edit] External links
- Directory of IAU's Member Institutions
- International Association of Universities Database of universities worldwide
- A Statement on Behalf of Higher Education Institutions Worldwide Developed by CHEA, the American Council on Education (ACE), the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and the International Association of Universities (IAU).
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