| Type: | NGO |
| Headquarters: | Paris, France |
| Region Served: | Worldwide |
| Membership: | More than 600 members- Universities, higher education institutions & associations |
| Language: | French, English |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Andrew J Deeks |
| Leader Title2: | Executive General Secretary |
| Leader Name2: | Hilligje van't Land |
| Main Organ: | IAU General Assembly |
| Affiliations: | UNESCO |
The International Association of Universities (IAU) is a membership-led non-governmental organization working in the field of higher education. It comprises more than 600 higher education institutions and organizations in over 130 countries.[1] IAU is an official partner of UNESCO.[2] The IAU secretariat is based in Paris and is located at the headquarters of UNESCO.
IAU was created under the auspices of UNESCO on 9 December 1950 during the International Conference of Universities in Nice. Its goal was and remains to encourage cooperation among institutions of higher education worldwide.
The governing bodies of the IAU are the General Assembly and the Administrative Board. The General Conference, convened every five years, votes an administrative board consists of the president and 14 members.[3] The Secretariat implements the strategy adopted by the governing bodies.
As of 1 January 2022, the International Association of Universities counts more than 600 members (institutions, organizations, affiliates and associates) in over 130 countries worldwide.