The mission of the IAU is to contribute to tackling global challenges. Sustainable development, universal access to quality higher education, and the incorporation of technology in university teaching and learning are some of its strategic focuses. The UOC is a highly active member of the association and is involved in some of its most important projects:
SDG 3 Global Cluster
We are leading SDG 3 for good health and well-being, within the Global Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) Cluster created by the IAU, which works to highlight the essential role of universities for achieving sustainable development. The SDG 3 Cluster is made up of universities from around the world that work together to build alliances and voice the opinions of the world of academia in global forums related to health and well-being.
The following universities currently form part of the Cluster:
- Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Barcelona) - Cluster leader
- Universidad de Caldas (Colombia)
- University College Dublin (Ireland)
- Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia)
- Makerere University (Uganda)
- Karolinska Institutet (Sweden)
- Western Sydney University (Australia)
Technology and higher education
The UOC forms part of the IAU's "Technology and Higher Education" Working Group. We have sat down with universities from around the world to draft an international declaration on technology and higher education, a document that will aim to influence international policy-making on education and which is set to be presented at the IAU General Assembly in 2020.
As leaders in the world of quality online higher education, we offered to hold the very first site visit. Institutions from across the globe attended to learn about the UOC's model first-hand.
The UOC took part in a round table on Artificial Intelligence & Higher Education at the Mobile Learning Week 2019 organized by UNESCO in Paris.
Aiming Higher
Together with BBC StoryWorks, the IAU has spearheaded the Aiming Higher documentary series. Aiming Higher is a unique initiative that gives a voice to higher education institutions and systems from around the world and illustrates the key role they play in sustainable development, innovation and social transformation. It also aims to offer a space for reflection on the crucial role of higher education in the development of sustainable and democratic societies, and the UOC is featured in one of its episodes.
International forums
As an active member of the IAU, we take part in several high-level forums:
- United Nations High Level Political Forum 2019
- ASEF Rectors' Conference 2019
- Mobile Learning Week 2019 organized by UNESCO
- IAU 2019 International Conference (Puebla, Mexico).
- IAU 2018 International Conference (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)