Association of Universities of the Francophonie

Overview

The Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), known in English as the Association of Universities of the Francophonie, is a leading international non‑governmental association of French‑speaking universities, higher‑education institutions and research centres. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Montréal, Canada, AUF brings together over 1 000 member institutions across nearly 120 countries, making it a central catalyst of Francophone academic cooperation on five continents. According to uniRank, the AUF is headquartered in Canada and represents one of the largest global networks of French‑language higher‑education and research institutions.

Historical and Legal Framework

The AUF was created on 13 September 1961 under the name Association des Universités Partiellement ou Entièrement de Langue Française (AUPELF), initiated by Canadian founders Jean‑Marc Léger and André Bachand. In 1987 the initiative Université des Réseaux d’Expression Française (UREF) was launched to strengthen research and academic networking and in 1993 AUPELF and UREF merged to become AUPELF‑UREF. At the Beyrouth General Assembly of April 1998, the organisation was renamed the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie. Its current legal status is governed by Quebec’s statutory framework, notably under the Loi concernant l’Agence universitaire de la Francophonie enacted in November 2001 and it holds the mandate of official higher‑education and research operator for the Summits of La Francophonie.

Mission, Vision and Objectives in Higher Education

AUF’s core mission is to promote solidarity and cooperation among French‑speaking universities and research institutions, supporting sustainable development, intellectual exchange and linguistic diversity. With a vision of a dynamic, inclusive and globally networked Francophone universit y community, AUF aims to:

• foster academic excellence and innovation in education and research through scholarships, publications, training programmes and digital tools;
• develop capacities in university governance, quality assurance and open science via expert-led institutes and regional hubs;
• extend the reach of French‑language higher learning by expanding membership and influence in non-French majority countries;
• support equitable social, cultural, scientific and economic development through evidence‑based projects.

Governance, Structure and Independence

Governed by an Assembly of Members that convenes every four years, AUF is overseen by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from member institutions and state actors, supported by operations teams based in both Montréal and Paris. The network is led by a four-year term – non‑renewable – President elected by the Assembly and an executive Rector appointed by the Board. Consultative bodies include the Scientific Council, Economic & Social Council, Networks Council and a Strategic Development Commission, ensuring technical oversight and stakeholder engagement. These structures operate independently of any single state or government, though AUF is funded in partnership with governments and international agencies, while maintaining institutional autonomy.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

AUF does not serve as a formal accreditation body. Instead, it enhances academic quality and assessment through:

• dedicated institutes providing evaluation, training and methodological guidance in university governance, quality assurance (e.g. the Institute of University Governance – IFGU) and digital education;
• tools and support for institutional self‑assessment and peer review among its university members;
• digital and open‑access platforms such as the IDNeuf initiative—which offers tens of thousands of Francophone educational resources and supports evaluation of digital readiness;
• international certification initiatives and pedagogical innovation awards (e.g. AUF’s Innovation Pedagogy Prize).

Through these instruments, AUF reinforces internal capacity for quality evaluation while respecting national accreditation systems.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

As the official higher-education and research operator of the Sommet de la Francophonie, AUF translates summit resolutions into actionable programmes across the Francophone world. Its membership spans nearly 120 countries, with national and regional operations centres from Dakar to Bandar Seri Begawan. AUF’s partnerships include UNESCO, the European Union, the World Bank, major foundations and national development agencies. Its strong footprint in Canada and global collaborations underscore its role as an anchor institution between Canadian Francophonie and international Francophone academia.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

AUF’s initiatives address evolving challenges in post‑secondary education, including:

• increasing access to digital learning through open platforms and grants delivered during crises like COVID‑19;
• expanding governance support and leadership training to improve institutional performance;
• awarding research and pedagogical innovation across regions, particularly through funds and peer‑reviewed calls for proposals;
• developing multilingual academic exchange, mobility of Francophone students and scholars and synergies between Northern and Southern hemisphere universities;
• investing in the sustainability of French‑language universities and their contribution to equitable economic, social and cultural development.

Summary

With a unique mandate and over six decades of experience, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie plays a vital role in promoting French‑language higher education and research around the world, while being firmly anchored in Canada. Rather than serving as an accreditation agency, AUF provides frameworks, tools and strategic networks that strengthen institutional quality, encourage innovation and foster greater global integration of Francophone academia. Its governance structure and official status under the Summits of La Francophonie position it as a respected, autonomous actor in university development and policy.

FAQs

• What is the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)?
  AUF is a global association of French‑speaking higher‑education institutions, headquartered in Montréal, Canada, aimed at promoting academic solidarity and excellence.
• Is AUF an accreditation body?
  No. AUF does not accredit institutions; instead it supports quality evaluation, governance and innovation through training, peer collaboration and digital platforms.
• Where is AUF based?
  Its headquarters and global executive direction are in Montréal, Canada, with central offices also located in Paris.
• How many institutions are members of AUF?
  Membership includes over 1 000 universities, research centres and networks in nearly 120 countries, according to uniRank.
• How is AUF governed?
  AUF is governed by a four‑year Assembly, a Board of Directors, a President and Rector, supported by consultative scientific and strategy councils.
• What are AUF’s major activities?
  Activities include capacity‑building, digital education platforms, grants and awards for innovation, university governance and quality assurance programmes.
• Can institutions join AUF?
  Yes—membership is open to French‑language or multilingual universities, research centres and academic networks worldwide that promote Francophone higher education.
• What language(s) does AUF use?
  The official working language is French, though many activities may be bilingual depending on region and partner institutions.

Organization Name

Association of Universities of the Francophonie
Agence universitaire de la Francophonie

Acronym

AUF

Year of Establishment

1961

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

Local or Regional

Recognized by

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Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

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Address

3034, Boul. Edouard-Montpetit
Montréal
H3T 1J7 Québec Canada

Phone

+1 (514) 343 6630

Fax

+1 (514) 343 2107

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Wikipedia Article

Association of Universities of the Francophonie's Wikipedia article

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