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 for "reflection and action on common concerns and collaborates with various international, regional and national bodies active in higher education".

IAU is based in Paris

Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...

 and is located at the headquarters of UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

. However, it is an independent organization.

Leadership

In 2008, the General Assembly of IAU elected Juan Ramon de la Fuente

Juan Ramón de la Fuente

Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez is a Mexican psychiatrist, academician and politician who served as Secretary of Health in the cabinet of President Ernesto Zedillo and as rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico from 1999 to 2007.De la Fuente graduated with a bachelor's degree in...

, former Rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico

National Autonomous University of Mexico

The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a university in Mexico. UNAM was founded on 22 September 1910 by Justo Sierra as a liberal alternative to the Roman Catholic-sponsored Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (National Autonomous...

 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

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

- See also :* G13 * Association of Commonwealth Universities...

.

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
  Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...
  
  , the American Council on Education
  American Council on Education
  The American Council on Education is a United States organization, established in 1918, comprising over 1,800 accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and higher education-related associations, organizations, and corporations....
  
   (ACE), the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
  Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
  - See also :* G13 * Association of Commonwealth Universities...
  
  (AUCC) and the International Association of Universities (IAU).