ACU's strategic plan 'The road to 2030' reinforces that global challenges can only be solved through international collaboration and collective commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through higher education.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is one of the world's first international university network with more than 500 member institutions in over 50 countries.
The ACU fosters collaboration between developed and developing country universities combining the expertise and reputation of nearly a century’s experience with new and innovative programmes designed to meet the needs of universities in the 21st century.
ACU’s strategic plan 'The road to 2030' reinforces that global challenges can only be solved through international collaboration, and our collective commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through higher education.
Priorities for higher education in the Commonwealth
- Higher education’s contribution to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Access and inclusion, including gender equity
- International mobility and recognition of qualifications
- Employability and the fourth industrial revolution
- Growing research capacity through partnerships
- The role of universities in fostering respect and understanding
Opportunities
Scholarships
Visit the ACU Scholarships page.
International mobility is at the heart of ACU activity. Currently Scholarship schemes running are :
- Edward Boyle Memorial Trust Medical Elective Bursaries
- Commonwealth Scholarships in low and middle income countries
- Grants and fellowships for ACU members
The ACU also has a distinguished reputation for managing prestigious and internationally-renowned scholarship schemes.
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
- Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
Grant and Fellowships
Visit the ACU Grants and fellowships page.
The ACU is committed to increasing staff and student mobility and building the capacity of universities worldwide.
The following grants and fellowships are available to staff and/or students at ACU member universities:
- Early Career Conference Grants
- ACU Fellowships
- Global Summer School Grants for UK undergraduates
- Gender workshop grants
- ACU Commonwealth Summer School
Engaging with ACU
You will find a wealth of information on the ACU website.
Signing up will enable you to: register to attend ACU events and monitor your bookings; access resources on the Member Communities portals, and engage on the dedicated forums; download exclusive publications, including magazines and reports.
ACU Member Communities and Policy Networks
The ACU Member Communities are a series of special interest groups, designed to connect colleagues working in three key areas of university activity.
- Higher Education and the SDGs
- Supporting Research Community
- HR in HE Community
The Communities enable members and stakeholders to share knowledge and good practice, explore ideas and solutions to common issues, discover potential avenues for collaboration, and keep up-to-date with the latest trends.
The Member Communities are free to join for all staff of ACU member institutions, and individuals may join as many as they feel are relevant to their work.
ACU policy networks focus on key issues for higher education – including climate change, sustainable development, and peace and reconciliation.
Bulletin
The Bulletin, ACU’s membership magazine is published three times a year. It is circulated free to member universities, and is also available online.