On May 3–5, Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) and Vice-President of the International Association of Universities (IAU), is participating in the IAU Executive Committee meeting held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The meeting has brought together higher education leaders from around the world for strategic discussions on the role of universities in addressing global challenges, advancing internationalization, and fostering new collaboration initiatives.
One of the most important decisions of the IAU Executive Committee is the approval of a joint Master’s programme between IAU and MRU. The new programme is planned to launch in February 2027.
An international Master’s programme – a new step in strengthening global engagement
Global Engagement and Internationalisation of Higher Education (MPA) in Internationalization of Higher Education has been approved, focusing on strengthening competencies in higher education internationalization.
“This programme reflects our ambition to develop globally relevant studies that enhance the ability of higher education institutions to operate in the international arena. Cooperation with IAU allows us to combine expert knowledge from different countries and create real value for the academic community,” says Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of MRU.
The programme will be implemented in cooperation between MRU and the International Association of Universities. In addition to the full Master’s degree, students will also have the opportunity to obtain IAU certificates and micro-credentials, providing more flexible learning pathways tailored to diverse learner needs.
Most of the studies are planned to be delivered online, complemented by in-person sessions in different countries around the world. The programme is intended for professionals working in or seeking careers in higher education internationalization, partnerships, and strategic management.
The programme is being developed by MRU researcher Prof. Dr. Jolanta Urbanovič.
A strategic role of MRU in the international academic community
As a partner of UNESCO, IAU brings together more than 600 universities and other higher education institutions from nearly 130 countries. The IAU Executive Committee meeting serves as an important platform for shaping global higher education directions and discussing initiatives related to sustainable development, digital transformation, and internationalization.
The new joint MRU–IAU Master’s programme is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of higher education internationalization, strengthen university cooperation, and provide new opportunities for members of the academic community worldwide.