IARU Chair & Secretariat
The Chair and Secretariat rotate every two years. The Chair fosters collaboration and guides joint initiatives. The Secretariat manages administration, communications, events, and finances.
About IARU > IARU Chair & Secretariat
IARU Chair & Secretariat
The Chair and Secretariat rotate every two years. The Chair fosters collaboration and guides joint initiatives. The Secretariat manages administration, communications, events, and finances.
IARU Chair
The IARU Chair is elected from among the Presidents of the member universities for a two-year term.
The Chair provides leadership and strategic direction for the Alliance, fosters collaboration among member institutions, and represents IARU in external engagements. The Chair also presides over the annual Presidents’ meeting, works closely with the Secretariat to coordinate initiatives, and helps advance the Alliance’s shared goals of academic excellence, research innovation, and global impact.
Current Chair
The current Chair of IARU is Professor Mosa Moshabela, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town.
A public health expert with a strong background in health systems research, Professor Moshabela was appointed UCT’s 11th Vice-Chancellor in 2024. He holds medical and public health degrees from UKZN, Wits, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. His research focuses on HIV, TB, and healthcare in resource-limited settings. As Chair and Vice-Chancellor, he champions inclusive leadership, academic excellence, and the global role of African universities.
Past IARU Chairs
2022 – 2023: Dr Anthony Freeling, University of Cambridge
2021 – 2022: Professor Stephen J. Toope, University of Cambridge
2018 – 2021: Dr Makoto Gonokami, University of Tokyo
2017 – 2018: Chancellor Carol Christ, University of California, Berkeley
2017 – 2017: Professor Nicholas Dirks, University of California, Berkeley
2015 – 2016: Professor Ralf Hemmingsen, University of Copenhagen
2013 – 2014: Professor Ralph Eichler, ETH Zurich
2009 – 2012: Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, National University of Singapore
2005 – 2008: Professor Ian Chubb, Australian National University
The Secretariat is the administrative function of IARU, acting as a central point for all enquiries and providing support for all the different aspects of the Alliance.
The Secretariat of IARU, along with the Chair, moves between the member universities every two years and has been hosted by the University of Cape Town since August 2023.
The work of the Secretariat encompasses:
Facilitating communication between the Presidents, Senior Officers, groups and initiatives.
Organising the annual Presidents’ Meeting and Senior Officers’ Meeting.
The Alliance will bring a new dimension to Members’ international activities, including new opportunities for international research, teaching and learning.
Publicising events, important information and opportunities.
Handling the administration relating to IARU Courses and IARU Joint Online Courses, the Global Internship Programme, and the Novo Nordisk International Talent Program.
Assisting and supporting the work of the groups and initiatives, where possible.
Managing financial matters, including the processing of invoices for groups and initiatives.
Current Secretariat
The Secretariat of IARU is currently hosted by the University of Cape Town.
Founded in 1829, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is Africa’s top-ranked university and a leading centre for academic excellence.
Any questions about IARU related matters, can be directed at the Secretariat at Isha.Dilraj@uct.ac.za.
Past IARU Secretariats
2021 – 2023: University of Cambridge
2018 – 2021: University of Tokyo
2017 – 2018: University of California, Berkeley
2015 – 2016: University of Copenhagen
2013 – 2014: ETH Zurich
2009 – 2012: National University of Singapore
2005 – 2008: Australian National University