Report on IAU Vth Global Meeting of Associations (GMA V)

The latest edition of the IAU Horizons (Vol. 19 No.2) is now available online.
Report on IAU Vth Global Meeting of Associations (GMA V). The IAU Vth Global Meeting of Associations (GMA V) was organized by IAU in collaboration with the Northern Consortium UK (NCUK) and the University of Salford. It took place at the impressive “The Lowry” building, in Salford Quays, Manchester UK.
This edition of the GMA focused on: Institutional Diversity in Higher Education: Advantage or Threat for Association? This theme was chosen for the meeting because it is key challenge for most higher education organisations, networks, and associations who are all operating in an era of rapidly increasing numbers and types of HEIs around the world. Indeed, this phenomenon calls for a deeper reflexion on how this trend will shape higher education globally, and what role higher education institutions and HEI networks can play in shaping the future landscape.
Over 70 participants took part in the day-and a half long meeting, including representatives of all the major regional HE associations: the African Association of Universities (AAU), the European University Association (EUA), the Arab Association of Universities (ArAU), the Union of Latin American Universities (UDUAL), the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), as well as the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Inter American Organization of Universities (IOHE) and national associations and specialized groups from Europe, Africa and North America and Australia.
The discussions began with a thought-provoking presentation by Prof. Ellen Hazelkorn, on Re-imaging Higher Education: Taking a Broader View of Diversity. She defined the concept of diversity and drew attention to: how core tasks diverge; what types of institutions there are; what programmes they focus on; research led or not and how; what student and staff profiles are. She also noted what kind of internal organizations the HEIs fare on –, its specific significance / positioning, mission and visions in the 21st Century; the drivers for the institutional changes over time; the values of diversity and why it is important to strengthen it. Her presentation is available online for you to consult and further reflect on.
Once again the GMA allowed participants from diverse backgrounds a a unique opportunity to interact in small groups of peers, to exchange ideas and practices, and to network closely with each other. There was also opportunity to learn more about the issues at stake in the British and Irish higher education sectors. The report on the GMA V discussions is available online, on the GMA webpages (www.iau-aiu.net/content/past-events). IAU would like to extend special thanks to John MacKenzie, Policy Officer to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, International, and University of Salford for his invaluable organisational skills which contributed greatly to the success of this event. The IAU as well thanks its partners for its support and i-graduate for having sponsored this event. www.i-graduate.org