top of page

REGIONS

North America, Central and Caribbean
Untitled design-16_edited.png

North America, Central America, & the Caribbean

NEWS

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

​​​

  • Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) - Supporting our students: Sustaining ourselves

    • 8-11, June 2025, Halifax, CA

    • Click here for more information

  • NIRSA - Leaders in Collegiate Recreation

    • 23-26, April 2025, Orlando, FL​

    • Click here for more information

  • ACUHO-I Campus Home. LIVE! (formerly ACUHO-I Conference & Expo)

    • June 28-July 1, 2025 in Colombus, Ohio

    • Click here for more information

  • NODA - Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education

    • 11-14 November 2024, Portland, OR

    • Click here for more information

  • NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

    • 15-19 March 2025 New Orleans, LA

    • Click here for more information

  • ACPA - College Student Educators International​​

    • 16-19 February 2024 Convention - Long Beach, CA

    • Click here for more information 

  • ACUI 

    • 16-19 March 2025 New York City, NY

    • Click here for more information 

ACPA - College Students International

​

Welcome to the Commission for Global Dimensions of Student Development! We are thrilled to announce the planning of the 2025 International Colloquium. To ensure the event resonates with your interests, we invite you to complete a brief survey. Your insights are crucial in shaping a meaningful experience for all attendees. Thank you for your participation! Warm regards, Dr. Pankaj Desai, Chair, CGDSD.

​​

Europe
Screenshot 2023-01-15 at 17.36.10.png

Europe

NEWS

Andrew West, a consultant in the UK, reviews "Towards Professionalisation of Student Affairs across the Globe”. Andrew comments on the relevancy of the publication, "Those working in HE student services in the UK will find much of interest here - including the opportunity to set their work in a broader international context and as part of a global community of professionals.

Read Andrew's commentary here

​

Student Affairs Ireland (SAI) held its Summer 2024 Seminar on “Creating, Engaging and Enhancing Community for Student Success”. Themes included: belonging, inclusivity and equity, student engagement, peer support, digitalisation, mental health and wellbeing, and 

linking the UN Sustainable Development Goals in supporting student success. For more information: http://saireland.ie/resources/conferences/sai-summer-seminar-2024-2/

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

 

​

Ben Lewis, Regional Director for Europe will Chair a panel of student affairs colleagues on behalf of IASAS and lead a session on mental health strategy development at this year’s European Conference for Student Affairs and Services ECSAS, November 20-22 in Malta. To register, click here

 

​AMOSSHE (UK Student Services  is offering a range of CPD events to choose from. To learn more about recent events visit https://www.amosshe.org.uk/events/

​

Join in on the European Student Affairs conference18-21 March 2025  in Antwerp Belgium. To learn more https://www.esac2025.eu/

Screenshot 2023-01-17 at 18.08.54.png
Middle East

Middle-East

NEWS

 â€‹Extended deadline for the Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education Call for Proposals for Winter 2025 Special Issue: Internationalization of Higher Education in the Gulf Region: Embracing Culturally Responsive Approaches to Teaching, Learning, and Research in STEM Upcoming IASAS webinars. To learn more click here and contact Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif drbas@uab.edu

​

​​

  • MENASA NASPA 19th Annual Conference- Middle East, North Africa, South Asia

    • ​April 27-30 2025 - hosted by New York University- Abu Dhabi 

    • Click here for more information

​

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

RESOURCES

​

 

​

                   

MENASA NASPA MULTAQAS Series 

MENASA Multaqa Webinars are 50-minute webinars (typically in English or Arabic) that explore issues facing student affairs and services professionals in the MENASA Area.  Presentation materials should cover 40-45 minutes of content, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions. Multaqas are scheduled on Tuesdays (noon to 1pm GMT+3) to maximize regional participation. 

Women Wednesdays 

MENASA Women Wednesdays are monthly one-hour member engagement sessions (in English or Arabic) highlighting the voices of women in student affairs from around the world. Through this online series of discussions, MENASA members will have the opportunity to gain various perspectives of the student affairs profession through the varying lenses of women in the field. Session presenters will share their story of how they have come to hold their current position in higher education, lessons learned along the way, insights they have gained, and a time for participants to ask questions. 

 

To stay informed on MENASA NASPA events: Follow the  LinkedIn page and Instagram @menasa.naspa

Want to present a MENASA Multaqa? Get in touch via email menasa@naspa.org

South America

Screenshot 2023-01-17 at 17.04.39.png

NEWS

FISU America Games : 3rd version in Cali – Colombia.
Details https://www.fisuamerica.com/2024/02/20/cali-se-prepara-para-recibir-los-fisu-america-games-2024/ .
XXXI National University Games – 2024 : to Be Held in the universities of the Colombia’s Coffee Axis.

More details https://ascun.org.co/noticias/red-de-bienestar/encuentro-en-pereira-planificacion-de- los-juegos-universitarios-nacionales/

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

  • Second University Meeting of the Latin American Academic Exchange Program (PILA – LAAEP), 12– 13th august , Catholic University of     Colombia. Details:  https://www.programapila.lat/segundo-encuentro-universitario-2024/ .   

  • CLABES 2024: Addressing University Dropout and Retention: Student Retention: Pedagogical and Support Challenges in the Face of     Interculturality and the Future of Education – Details in http://eventos.una.ac.cr/go/CLABES2024

RESOURCES

  • Repository of University Welfare in Colombia includes 47 different papers on issues related to student affairs, extracurricular activities, and services from universities in Colombia (South America)

    • Click here for more information​

  • 'Beliefs of Extracurricular Activities, Socioemotional Competences, and Play Toward Integral Formation in Higher Education.' This work summarizes the perspectives of 43 professionals in student affairs services from an equal number of universities. The results highlight the unique aspects and differences in the academic-administrative organization of extracurricular activities in arts and sports offered by Colombian universities

    • Click here for more information​

South America

SUCCESS STORY

Cenfotec revolutionizes its certification processes with Digital Credentials

​

Cenfotec University, a leader in IT education, has embraced digital credentials to recognize and validate its students' achievements. Partnering with                 the university now offers agile, secure, and verifiable credentials. "As a tech-focused university, we sought a more efficient and secure way to recognize our students’ skills, which could be verified by anyone," shares Viviana Brenes Campos, Director of Academic Registry at Cenfotec.


In April 2020, the university launched its first digital badges, followed by digital certificates in October 2022. These digital badges represent specific skills or achievements, while the digital certificates offer verifiable recognition of academic accomplishments. Both are integral parts of
the digital credential ecosystem.


The response from students and employers has been overwhelmingly positive. "Our students, as well as companies and educational institutions, appreciate the ability to quickly and reliably verify the skills and qualifications listed in CVs," says Brenes. This system not only highlights student capabilities but also supports the university’s growth and international reach.
Cenfotec University, based in San José, Costa Rica, continues to pioneer in IT education since its founding in 1983, offering innovative programs that prepare students for the digital future.


More info at:

Africa
Screenshot 2023-01-17 at 19.01.14.png

Africa

NEWS

A big thank you to the University of Pretoria for hosting a successful student leader global summit (SLGS) with leaders and staff from 12 different countries. To learn more about the themes and the event click here. Staff came along with their students which enriched the learning and experience. 

             "...one of my favorite things in being there with my students was seeing how excited they were to walk up to me and immediately give me                feedback and ask questions about what they had learned from day one! I felt like my presence helped my students distill the parts they                      needed to get the most out of this experience."

             -Mohamed Najjar, Resident Officer, The American University in Cairo

CONFERENCES & EVENTS​

RESOURCES

Conference Of Southern African Association of Development and Counseling in Higher Education. Learn more here

Asia
Untitled design-16.png

Asia

NEWS

Singapore

The Asia Pacific Student Services Association (APSSA) celebrated a key milestone
this year with the successful running of the 19 th APSSA International Conference
from 17-20 Nov 2024. This biennial event was hosted at National University of
Singapore and involved strong partnership with the local autonomous universities, in
particular the Singapore Management University and the Nanyang Technological
University.
The conference brought together approximately 360 participants representing 17
countries and 60 institutes of higher learning across the Asia Pacific region. Three
keynote speakers, 13 panelists, and 60 platform speakers expounded on the central

theme Transiting into and Navigating through University towards Student Success. 

IASAS, Vice President, Birgit Schreiber, was a keynote speaker. For a full report please click here:

​

Japan

The National Federation of University Co-operative Associations (NFUCA) was honored to host IASAS for a two-day visit on May 27 and 28, 2024. “This two-day visit was aimed at fostering collaboration and sharing insights on enhancing student services.” For more details here's the link to the English article:

https://www.univcoop.or.jp/en/activity/international/event24_02.html

And here's the link to the Japanese article:

https://www.univcoop.or.jp/about/international/report2402a.html

 

South Korea

The Korea Student Aid Foundation (KOSAF) welcomed delegations from the Higher Education Student Financing Board (HESFB) of Uganda from 19.Aug.2024-30.Aug.2024 as a part of ODA (Official Development Assistance) program, supported by the Foreign Ministry of Korea.

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Current Events​

  • PAPSA - Philippine Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services

  • PACSA - Philippine Association of Campus Student Activities​

Oceania
Screenshot 2023-01-17 at 18.59.58.png

Oceania

NEWS

Australia: Universities Accord:
The Australian Universities Accord was published in February 2024, setting the stage for significant reforms in the higher education sector. The Accord includes 47 recommendations aimed at transforming the system to meet future skills needs, with an emphasis on creating a more equitable and integrated tertiary education system. Key goals include increasing the tertiary education attainment rate from 60% to at least 80% by 2050 and ensuring more Australians from disadvantaged backgrounds, regions, and Indigenous communities have access to higher education. The Accord also addresses the need to break down barriers between vocational education and training (VET) and universities. The implications of these recommendations are currently being unpacked, with the government considering how to implement them effectively.

Australia: 2025 International Student Caps and Their Consequences

Starting in 2025, the number of new international students allowed to commence studies at Australian universities and vocational education providers will be capped at 270,000 as part of a government reform to balance student numbers with infrastructure and housing needs. Public universities will be limited to around 145,000 new students, while vocational training providers will take up to 95,000. The cap will bring enrolments below both pre-pandemic levels and 2023 figures by 53,000. Universities have voiced frustration, warning the cap could harm funding streams that support research and student services, and lead to job losses in student-facing roles. There is also concern about the broader economic impact, as international students contribute billions to the economy. 

New Zealand
New Zealand is actively working to enhance student mental health and wellbeing through initiatives led by Tertiary Wellbeing Aotearoa New Zealand (TWANZ). The network promotes mental health on campuses by providing resources, hosting events, and supporting both students and staff. Recent collaborations include the Australasian Mental Health in Higher Education (AMHHEC) project, which focuses on strengthening mental health strategies through education, research, and community engagement. These efforts highlight New Zealand’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for tertiary students.

Fiji
In Fiji, the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) is spearheading initiatives to improve student affairs and wellbeing. A significant effort is the establishment of Higher Education Training Centres in collaboration with Provincial Councils. These centers aim to provide tailored programs and direct skills training, particularly for school dropouts, to bridge skills gaps and offer educational opportunities within local communities.

​

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

JUST AROUND THE CORNER: ANZSSA Conference (Australia and New Zealand Student Services Association):
The upcoming ANZSSA conference is scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2024, in Brisbane, will delve into themes of student support, engagement, and wellbeing. “The theme of the conference, Next Practice in Student Success – Holistic, Scalable, and Impactful, reflects ANZSSA’s commitment to exploring and sharing examples of evidenced good practice, and news ways of working to enhance student success in diverse educational settings.” This event offers an opportunity for student affairs professionals to discuss the implications of the Universities Accord and share strategies for enhancing student services. Topics such as mental health, equity, and the evolving landscape of student affairs will be central to the agenda, shaping future directions in the sector. You can register HERE.

​

The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) will be held in Melbourne from 22-25 October. The conference attracts 1700 attendees from 500 organizations in 40+ countries. You can sign up for the AIEC newsletter. The conference is affiliated with the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA). 

RESOURCES

These sources provide comprehensive insights into current initiatives, policy changes, and future directions in the higher education landscape across Oceania:

 

Key Organizations:

 

Student Voices:

NOTE: The above is not an exhaustive list of all events or activities within each region, but only includes the information reported by our members.  For additional details of professional organizations around the world visit the IASAS website page Links to Higher Education and Student Services Organizations

IASAS does not necessarily support or endorse the events and resources listed on this page.  It is provided here for informational purposes.

bottom of page