IAU 13th General Conference on Higher Education and Research Addressing Local and Global Needs

International Association of Universities (IAU) 13th General Conference on Focusing on Higher Education and Research Addressing Local and Global Needs was hosted by Utrecht University, The Netherlands, in July 2008

Higher Education and Research Addressing Local and Global Needs, the theme of the International Association of Universities (IAU) 13th General Conference, echoed the very reasons that led to the creation of the Association 60 years ago, namely the responsibilities of higher education and research institutions to serve the world around them. In 1948, it was the imperative of creating collaborative links and bridges of understanding in order to restore and guarantee peace among peoples and nations ravaged by WWII that motivated higher education leaders to come together. In 2008 higher education institutions and their leadership face different but equally challenging demands both locally and globally.