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From October 13 to 15, 2024, the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) held its 20th Triennial Conference in Beijing, China. This globally relevant event brought together more than 700 educational leaders from 50 countries to analyze and redefine the future of higher education in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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Under the theme “Generative AI and the Future of Higher Education,” the conference was the epicenter of discussions about the transformative role of AI in higher education institutions, with innovative proposals to reshape teaching and learning in this context. It marked a milestone in the discussion about technology and education worldwide, calling on institutions to rethink their role in a world where AI will be a determining factor in student success.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Fernando León García, IAUP President 2021-2024, highlighted the need for institutions to not only adopt new technologies, but to lead in their implementation in an equitable and sustainable manner. 

Innovating in education through AI

Throughout the conference, panelists from various parts of the world shared applications of AI in teaching, curriculum development, student success, admissions, learning management systems, and administrative aspects, among others.

One example was the creation of personalized tutors available 24 hours a day, capable of adapting to the particular needs of each student.

The future scenario foresees transcending traditional classrooms, increasing international collaboration, adopting a personalized approach to each student, and close collaboration with technology, urging leaders to rethink the role of educational institutions in the context of this transformation.

Experts also emphasized limitations and challenges, such as data security and privacy, biases and privileges in algorithms, the need for standards and regulation, and the importance of an ethical dimension in the application and use of AI.

Notable international speakers

The event featured the intervention of more than 60 speakers from the educational and technological fields, including prominent figures such as the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Dr. Michael Levitt; UNESCO Assistant Director General for Education, Stefania Gianini; Dr. Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE); Dr. Fanta Aw, President of NAFSA; and Dr. Mildred García, Chancellor of the California State University System (CSU), among many others.

The participation of António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, through a written message, and the presence of Mexico’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Jesús Seade, reaffirmed the importance of international collaboration in education and the impact of the responsible use of AI in higher education. Guterres called for AI technologies to strengthen critical thinking and creativity, and to benefit everyone, everywhere.

Dr. Paul LeBlanc, President of Southern New Hampshire University, remarked that AI is here to stay, and it will not just be integrated into what universities do, but it will revolutionize it.

Innovation and collaboration

In addition to panel discussions, institutions solidified their partnerships by signing memorandums of understanding, fostering international relationships and advancing impactful collaborative projects. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in the Science and Technology Forum, which offered a platform to discuss the latest technological advances shaping the future of education.

Board and Executive Committee Meetings

In the context of the Triennial Conference, the Executive Committee and Board for 2021-2024 held their final meetings for the Triennium on October 13, 2024. Representatives from universities and organizations in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa participated in a hybrid format, reviewing IAUP activities from June 2024 to October 2024, ongoing initiatives, membership updates, VP regional updates and other business. The Executive Committee and Board for 2024-2027 held their first meetings of the Triennium on October 15, 2024.

Transformational leadership

The conference marked a pivotal moment for the association, as it concluded the 2021-2024 triennium led by Dr. Fernando León-García, President of CETYS University. León García, at the head of the IAUP, played a fundamental role in guiding institutions towards a vision of recovery after the pandemic and transformation, seeking to reduce inequalities of access through innovation.

Through initiatives like the 19th Triennial Conference, Leadership Development Seminars held in Mexico, Qatar, and Denmark, Regional Conferences in Colombia, Egypt, Japan, the UK, Chile, and Mexico, Global Higher Education Surveys, a focus on women’s leadership, global mobility, and international student entrepreneurship competitions, the association advanced its mission of being a global platform that facilitates the exchange of professional experiences among educational leaders. Highlights of these initiatives were reviewed during the IAUP’s General Assembly, held in hybrid format, as León García presented his Triennial Report.

View Triennial Report for 2021-2024

During the event, members ratified Dr. León García as the incoming Board Chair and confirmed the Presidency-elect for the 2024-2027 term. The Presidency 2024-2027 also formally assumed their role, including Dr. Shawn Chen, Chancellor of SIAS University (China) as President, Mr. Tatsuro Tanioka, Vice Chancellor of Tanioka Gakuen Education Foundation (Japan) as Secretary-General and Dr. Brent White, Chief Global Officer of University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (USA) as Treasurer.

Dr. Tomás Morales, President of California State University, San Bernardino (USA) was ratified as President-Elect 2024-2027, Dr. Letlhokwa Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of University of Johannesburg (South Africa) as Secretary-General Elect 2024-2027, and Dr. Sabur Khan, Founder and Chairman of Daffodil International University (Bangladesh) as Treasurer-elect 2024-2027.