By focusing the International Association of Universities 2018 international conference on the theme Higher Education Partnerships for Societal Impact, IAU invites its members, the global higher education communities, and their partners to reflect on and discuss their mandate and social responsibility, while presenting different forms of partnerships adopted around the world and for what societal impact. The conference will also be a venue to discuss the challenges and obstacles related to delivering on the third mission of universities.

In the plenary sessions, keynote speakers will address and discuss the topic and frame the discussions from a conceptual perspective; the three series of breakout sessions will include examples of HE partnerships aiming for societal impact. The break-out sessions will allow for discussion and exchange among peers and hopefully inspire new partnerships around the world.