1. Executive summary

The International Day of Universities in one page.

The International Day of Universities, IDU, is one day each year, on 7 November, when universities everywhere celebrate what they give to humanity, thank the people who make them, and invite the world inside. It is an initiative of the World Universities Foundation, WUF.

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International Day of Universities

Initiative brief · An initiative of the World Universities Foundation · November 2026

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Executive summary

What: A yearly international day for the university: for every institution, its people and everyone around it.
Why: Universities form every profession and serve every society, yet no international day is given to universities themselves, and most of the world’s 35,000+ universities are rarely seen.
When: 7 November, every year. Announced on 7 November 2026; to be founded at FC27, the WUF Founders’ Council, Antalya, Türkiye, 26 to 29 January 2027; to be adopted by university leaders at WSU27 on 7 November 2027; to be celebrated for the first time on 7 November 2028.
Who: Every university, of every type, in every region, with its students, professors, staff, alumni and leaders, and the families, cities, companies and public bodies around it.
How: Each university celebrates in its own way: an open campus, public lectures, student showcases, thanks to professors and staff, alumni coming home, service to the community, links across borders.
Outcome: A lasting tradition, proclaimed by the United Nations, that makes the whole university world visible, close to its societies and proud of its people.
Ask: Take part at IDU.news/take-part or write to connect@idu.news: found the day at FC27, endorse it, join the team, send a comment or share it. One person can take more than one role.

The International Day of Universities in one page.

Executive summary

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