Inter-American Organization for Higher Education

Overview

The Organización Universitaria Interamericana (OUI), also known in English as the Inter‑American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE), is a Canada‑based non‑profit international university association dedicated to enhancing cooperation, governance and internationalization across the Americas. Headquartered in Montréal, Québec, Canada, OUI acts as a continental forum for over 400 higher education institutions, research centres and national/regional associations spread across 28 countries and nine sub‑regions of the Americas. According to uniRank research, OUI serves a network of nearly five million decision‑makers, academic leaders, researchers, staff and students.

Established either in 1980 the organization has evolved into a key platform shaping the internationalization of higher education in the Western Hemisphere.

Historical and Legal Framework

OUI was formally launched through a founding conference hosted in Québec City, Canada, with the initiative led by Gilles Boulet, then Rector of Université du Québec (Québec). While early mentions date back to 1949, the operating structure familiar today emerged in 1980. Since then, OUI has maintained legal registration in the province of Québec as a non‑profit institution recognized by the Québec government.

Over four decades, the organization has established itself as the only inter‑American university body acting continuously at the continental level. Its institutional statutes stipulate voluntary membership, collective governance and a mandate free from direct control by any national state.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: OUI builds inter‑American cooperation by constructing inclusive educational spaces and training pathways, in coordination with member institutions and strategic partners, to foster capacity, innovation, leadership and academic exchange.

Vision: To be the leading association for the internationalization of higher education in the Americas, promoting solidarity, quality and sustainable development across institutions of varying sizes, governance types and cultural contexts.

Core Objectives include:

• Diversification of training and intellectual offer through seminars, workshops, leadership institutes, doctoral programmes and virtual forums.
• Strategic alliances with entities such as UNESCO, CAEI (Conference of the Americas on International Education), CBIE and national education bodies.
• Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (inclusive quality education), by supporting equity, accessibility and ethics in higher education.
• Organizational excellence ensuring transparent governance, financial stability and flexibility across its regional divisions.

Governance, Structure and Independence

OUI maintains a constitutionally defined governance model based on:

• An annual Asamblea General (General Assembly), the highest decision‑making body composed of legal representatives of member institutions, responsible for strategic direction, fee-setting and election of governing bodies.
• A Junta Directiva (Board of Directors) comprising 13 elected members drawn from OUI’s diverse institutional base; it oversees operational matters and regional coordination.
• Regional Vice‑Presidents representing each of OUI’s nine regional zones (e.g. Andean, Southern Cone, Central America, Canada), with two-year renewable mandates.
• An Executive Secretariat based in Montréal, currently led by Secretary General David Julien, which carries out coordination, communications and programme delivery. The Secretariat acts independently of national governments.

This federated, membership‑based model preserves academic and operational independence while enabling broad representation and regional responsiveness.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

OUI is not an accrediting agency and does not issue degrees or official educational credentials. Instead, it advances institutional quality through:

• Peer‑learning and benchmarking initiatives among members to share best practices in governance, digital transformation, quality assurance and leadership.
• Capacity‑building programmes such as the Institute of University Management & Leadership (IGLU), Women Leaders in Higher Education (EMULIES) and the Inter‑American Technical Education Platform (EIESTEC).
• Academic mobility and trans‑institutional projects under frameworks like the Escuela Interamericana en Educación Superior (ESIES), supporting doctoral and post‑doctoral research in higher education.

These offerings are designed to support institutional development and governance improvement rather than formal accreditation.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

OUI operates as a principal actor in inter‑American higher education via:

• The Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAEI), which OUI hosts as its Executive Secretariat every two years in different host countries—Canada (2010, 2017), Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile (2021), the United States (2023), with the next in Costa Rica (2025).
• Cooperative agreements with international bodies such as UNESCO, the International Association of Universities (IAU), NAFSA and the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE).
• Institutional membership across 28 countries covering public, private, religious and secular institutions, including those supporting large francophone and anglophone enrolments in Canada (about 30 Canadian members).

This continental reach and strategic alliances position OUI as the sole university association actively present across North, Central and South America.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

Through its initiatives, OUI contributes to shaping higher education by:

• Enhancing inter‑American mobility and dialogue among institutional leaders, policy‑makers and academics.
• Promoting thematic collaboration on global challenges including equity, sustainable development, digital learning and institutional innovation.
• Strengthening institutional capacity via leadership training, mentoring programmes and peer networks—especially targeting junior and mid‑career professionals.
• Recognizing innovative educational models through awards like the Inter‑American Award for Innovative Educational Models in HE (MEIN).

Looking forward, OUI aims to expand digital engagement, deepen regional equity, better align with SDG agendas and enhance its role as a continental incubator of policy innovation and inter‑American higher education models.

Summary

The Organización Universitaria Interamericana (OUI/IOHE) is based in Montréal, Canada and is the only inter‑American university organization operating continuously across North, Central and South America. Founded either in 1949 or 1980 depending on historical account, it brings together over 400 institutions across 28 countries. According to uniRank research, it serves a network of nearly five million decision‑makers and academics.

While OUI does not grant accreditation, its impact lies in creating platforms for governance development, academic mobility, leadership training and international cooperation. Governed by an elected Assembly and Board representing nine geographic regions, it operates with organizational independence from national governments.

OUI’s major contributions include organizing the CAEI conference, operating doctoral and leadership capacity programmes (IGLU, EMULIES, ESIES, EIESTEC) and promoting innovation via MEIN. Looking ahead, it is well‑positioned to shape higher education policies and practices across the Americas in alignment with the SDG agenda.

FAQs

1. What is the Organización Universitaria Interamericana (OUI)?

   OUI is a Canada‑headquartered non‑profit inter‑American organisation that promotes cooperation among higher education institutions and associations across the Americas. It serves as a continental forum for leadership, training and internationalization.

2. When was OUI founded and where is it based?

   While uniRank records list the foundation year as 1949, primary documents and OUI’s own history reference a formal establishment in Québec, Canada, in 1980. Its Executive Secretariat is located in Montréal, Québec.

3. How many institutions belong to OUI?

   According to uniRank research, OUI comprises over 400 member institutions—including national associations, universities and research centres—located in 28 countries across the Americas.

4. How is OUI governed?

   Governance is provided by an Annual General Assembly (one vote per member), a Board of Directors of 13 elected members and nine regional Vice‑Presidents overseeing inter‑regional coordination. An Executive Secretariat in Montréal, led by a Secretary General, manages operations.

5. Does OUI accredit universities?

   No. OUI does not issue accreditation or formal credentials; instead, it supports institutional quality through peer leadership programmes, capacity‑building and exchange networks.

6. What are some flagship programmes or initiatives?

   Key initiatives include the Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAEI), the Institute of University Management & Leadership (IGLU), the Escuela Interamericana en Educación Superior (ESIES), EMULIES for women leaders and the MEIN Award.

7. Can institutions from outside the Americas join OUI?

   Membership is principally for institutions in the Americas. However, international networks or organizational partners outside the region may participate in select programmes in collaboration with OUI.

8. What partnerships does OUI maintain?

   OUI works in strategic alliance with bodies such as UNESCO, the International Association of Universities, NAFSA, CONAHEC, CBIE and national/regional associations across the Americas.

9. How does OUI contribute to sustainable development and inclusion?

   Through its programmes and governance, OUI emphasizes inclusion, equity, innovation and contributions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4.

Organization Name

Inter-American Organization for Higher Education
Organización Universitaria Interamericana

Acronym

OUI/IOHE

Year of Establishment

1980

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

the Quebec Government

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

over 400

Address

333, Grande Allée Est, suite 230
Quebec
G1R 2H8 Québec Canada

Phone

+1 (418) 650 1515

Fax

+1 (418) 650 1519

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

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Inter-American Organization for Higher Education's Facebook page

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Inter-American Organization for Higher Education's LinkedIn profile

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Inter-American Organization for Higher Education's YouTube channel

Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

Not available

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