AUN Driving Universities towards Excellence as the Next Chair of GUAF in 2023

ASEAN University Network (AUN) will chair the Global University Associations Forum (GUAF) in 2023, succeeding the European University Association (EUA). During this crucial transition period, Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, AUN Executive Director, has virtually met and discussed with EUA, the former host of GUAF, in the handover meeting to ensure the chair’s role in promoting regional exchange and cooperation initiatives in the higher education sector.

The Global University Associations Forum (GUAF) is a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and joint action with the mission to foster systematic exchange among its members and mobilise the collective capacity of universities to tackle global challenges. The Forum was established in 2021 with leaders of university associations representing major world regions – Africa, the Americas, the Arab Region, Asia, and Europe. The inaugural GUAF Meeting was held on 17 May 2022 in Barcelona and the chair of the Global University Associations Forum rotates annually among its members. 
The next physical GUAF meeting in Bangkok will be held on 4-5 September 2023, preceding the 5th AUN Quality Assurance International Conference on 6-7 September 2023 with the main theme “Driving University Excellence Through Quality". In the meantime, cooperation will continue online to enhance existing exchange and collaboration initiatives between university associations.

About the Global University Associations Forum

The Global University Associations Forum was conceived in 2020 in response to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to international higher education and research collaboration. It was established to complement the ongoing exchange and collaboration initiatives developed by universities and their national networks and associations. It will identify pathways for joint action to further enhance links between university associations and their relationships with member institutions. In addition, the Forum will advocate for the vital role of partnerships as a vehicle for pursuing joint actions within and across regions.

For more information about GUAF, please click here 

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GUAF released first press statement promoting international exchange and collaboration in higher education