About IARU

The International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), established in 2006, is a network of eleven international research-intensive universities from nine countries across the globe.

The eleven members share similar values, a global vision and a commitment to educating future world leaders. Central to these values is the importance of academic diversity and international collaboration as reflected in IARU's principles.

The IARU Members are the Australian National University, ETH Zurich, National University of Singapore, Peking University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Cambridge, University of Cape Town, University of Copenhagen, University of Oxford, the University of Tokyo and Yale University.

The Chair of IARU is Dr. Makoto Gonokami, the President of the University of Tokyo. The This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is also located at the University of Tokyo.

IARU's Vision

To address the major challenges of our time

IARU member universities work together to address the major challenges of our time. Sustainable solutions on climate change is one of its key initiatives. As part of their commitment to promote sustainability, the IARU universities have established a Campus Sustainability Program, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of their campuses. IARU successfully organized an International Scientific Congress on Climate Change in 2009 and a Sustainability Congress in 2014. Some of its members also cooperate on major research projects pertaining to aging, longevity and health.

To add value by providing opportunities to students and staff that would not arise otherwise

IARU seeks to add value by providing opportunities to students and staff that would not arise otherwise. The Alliance has developed a set of global education initiatives aimed at cultivating a sense of global citizenship and leadership amongst students. The Global Summer Program, the Sustainability Fellowships and internships offer opportunities to students of the IARU member universities to engage critically as global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world.

To promote institutional joint working

IARU promotes institutional joint working on various levels of the member universities, such inter-university networking, institutional learning and staff development. Projects cover a broad range of topics, ranging from equal opportunities, technology transfer, technology-enhanced learning, research administration, libraries and open access.

Members participate in the various activities of the Alliance where such participation fits with their particular objectives.

IARU's Principles

IARU members have agreed that the alliance should operate in accord with a set of principles.

Read the Principles of the International Alliance of Research Universities