The International Association of Universities (IAU) held its 2024 International Conference from November 22-24 at the Yutsuya campus of Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan. Themed "University Values in a Changing World," the event gathered over 300 participants from around 200 universities across more than 80 countries, including academic leaders and researchers.

Representing the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Prof. Dr. Farheen Hassan of the Faculty of Business Administration and Prof. Dr. Manzur H Khan, Proctor, participated in the event.

The conference featured plenary and breakout sessions exploring diverse themes, including:

Plenary Sessions:

• Universality, Diversity, and Interdependence
• University Values and Digital Innovation
• Fostering Equity, Human Dignity, and a Culture of Peace through Higher Education

Breakout Sessions:

• Opening the Gates of Knowledge to Empower Humanity
• Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy in Times of Adversity
• Values in Universities of Applied Sciences
• Universities and the Interplay between Human Intelligence and Generative AI
• Leading Values-based International Cooperation
• Universities, the UN 2030 Agenda, and Beyond
• Higher Education Towards Global Citizenship
• Values in Action

The conference opened with an inaugural ceremony at the Tokyo Green Palace Hotel on November 22, 2024. Welcome addresses were delivered by Mr. NONAKA Atsushi, State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan, Prof. Andrew Deeks, President of the IAU and Vice-Chancellor of Murdoch University, Australia and Prof. Terumichi Yoshiaki, President of Sophia University, Japan.

The discussions at the conference emphasized the critical role of fundamental university values, including academic freedom, transparency, and research integrity, in addressing global challenges. The conference aimed to foster international collaboration, share best practices, and develop strategies to ensure universities worldwide contribute to sustainable societal progress.