The Iberoamerican Union of Universities (UIU for its Spanish acronym) brings together two previous strategic coalitions: The Latin American Academic Alliance integrated by UNAM, UBA and USP, in July 2014; and the Strategic Alliance formed between UB and UCM stablished in December of the same year.
In June 23th of 2016, at Barcelona University, the rectors of the 5 public institutions, with broad tradition and social weight in their respective countries (Alberto Barbieri from UBA; Marco Antonio Zago from USP; Enrique Graue Wiechers from UNAM; Dídac Ramírez Sarrió from UB; and Carlos Andradas Heranz from UCM), signed the agreement through which they commit to develop joint academic actions and promote the internationalization of the institutions under their responsibility and influence.
In addition, they will promote the elaboration of academic papers of high relevance for higher education institutions, especially the ones related to the Iberoamerican geographical area and public higher education.
The Iberoamerican Union of Universities constitutes an alliance from which member universities will promote initiatives and international guidelines about public higher education, research, the future of university as an institution, among others.
UIU has the objective to be a great organization with its own voice to intervene in power and decision-making spheres.
This union is integrated by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Buenos Aires University (UBA), Argentina, Sao Paulo University (USP), Brazil, as well as Barcelona University (UB) and Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), from Spain. The leaders of these institutions signed the general agreement by which the Union is created. The UIU will represent them in debates, forums and in any related event where the strategic vision and future of the institution of the university are debatable topics.
The agreement points out the similarities between these entities in face of the fast evolution of higher education instruction in the environment of the member institutions and around the world. The aspects for which the work will flow without setbacks are the already numerous scientific and academic ties between professors, departments and centers of the named universities, derivative of a good understanding of each other and a long and positive collaboration experience.
The foundation of the Iberoamerican Union of Universities generates a nucleus of high quality scientific institutions which will work as international reference and will benefit the acknowledgement of its scientists, professors and students, as well as the development of the Iberoamerican culture in the world. Also, it will encourage the collaboration starting from the mutual exchange of students and professors, the production of conjoint research and teaching projects, development of thesis or shared studies for a degree or simultaneous certification, as well as the organization of seminars, colloquiums, scientific conferences and further cultural manifestations. The UIU will not only intervene in the aforementioned, but in government and international programs.
For its operation, the Union will constitute a mixed commission of coordination, conformed by a representative of each university which will be appointed by each rector.