We believe that international collaboration is central to this ambition. By bringing universities together from around the world – and crucially the people who study and work within them ‒ we help to advance knowledge, promote understanding, broaden minds, and improve lives.
We champion higher education as a cornerstone of stronger societies, supporting our members, partners, and stakeholders as they adapt to a changing world.
A catalyst for positive change
The ACU expands educational opportunities for students and academics across the world by managing prestigious international scholarship schemes (including the UK government’s three major scholarship programmes and the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships); and offering grants and fellowships to support student mobility and international research collaboration.
A platform for collaboration
The ACU enables member universities to connect with and learn from each other by bringing them together to address key policy issues such as gender and equity, climate resilience, and peace and reconciliation; organising events and initiatives to share best practice and benchmark performance; and running programmes to support professional and institutional development.
A champion of higher education
The ACU is an advocate for its members and for higher education, maintaining close working relationships with other Commonwealth and international organisations including the Commonwealth Secretariat, UN, national governments, regional and national university associations, and a range of international fora.
Quality
We strive to excel in all we do, and continuously reflect on our work to find new ways forward.
Collaboration
We believe that cooperation and sharing ideas makes us stronger.
Innovation
We encourage people to think differently, be curious, and explore new ideas.
Respect
We treat others in the way we would like to be treated – with fairness, integrity, and generosity.
Inclusion
We value difference, and encourage and celebrate the diverse voices of our colleagues and partners.
The ACU is an international organisation dedicated to building a better world through higher education.
We believe that international collaboration is central to this ambition. By bringing universities together from around the world – and crucially the people who study and work within them ‒ we help to advance knowledge, promote understanding, broaden minds, and improve lives.
We champion higher education as a cornerstone of stronger societies, supporting our members, partners, and stakeholders as they adapt to a changing world.
The ACU expands educational opportunities for students and academics across the world by managing prestigious international scholarship schemes (including the UK government’s three major scholarship programmes and the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships); and offering grants and fellowships to support student mobility and international research collaboration.
The ACU enables member universities to connect with and learn from each other by bringing them together to address key policy issues such as gender and equity, climate resilience, and peace and reconciliation; organising events and initiatives to share best practice and benchmark performance; and running programmes to support professional and institutional development.
The ACU is an advocate for its members and for higher education, maintaining close working relationships with other Commonwealth and international organisations including the Commonwealth Secretariat, UN, national governments, regional and national university associations, and a range of international fora.