After being included in the QS World University Ranking for the first time at the beginning of the year and becoming a full YUFE member, the University of Rijeka is proud to announce yet another significant achievement. At the end of May, UNIRI was accepted to the international organization Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), a global network of French-speaking universities and research institutions. Following the AUF Board of Directors’ meeting, UNIRI was granted an observer member status (membre observateur). The observer status, granted for the period of 3 years, also allows the University to use the network of partners, resources, and all available means that could help promote Francophonie.
AUF was founded almost 60 years ago and is one of the largest associations of higher education and research institutions in the world. Recognizing the diversity of cultures and languages, AUF is committed to the development of Francophonie in universities and is committed to the economic, social, and cultural development of societies. According to its strategy for the period 2017-2021, AUF helps higher education and research institutions to meet three main goals: the quality of training, research and management of the university, professional integration and employability of graduates, and involvement in the overall development of society.
This year, 21 new members joined the AUF network, so AUF now has 1007 members from 119 countries. In addition to the University of Rijeka, AUF members include two more universities from Croatia – the University of Zadar and the University of Zagreb.