Global partnerships

We convene global partners across academia, government and industry to address shared challenges and advance international impact.

Group including Dawn Freshwater and Dr Sekar Viswanathan posing after signing of an MoU — Professor Dawn Freshwater, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland with Dr Sekar Viswanathan, Vice-President of Vellore Institute of Technology and their delegations.

Aotearoa New Zealand's global university

Our partnerships amplify our contribution to the world. As Aotearoa New Zealand’s most globally connected and influential university, we work with leading institutions, networks and communities to extend our impact across research, education and innovation.

Our approach is purpose-driven and values-led. Grounded in our values and te ao Māori principles of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga, we build relationships that are enduring, mutually beneficial and shaped by a shared commitment to a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future.

We prioritise partnerships that align with our strengths and strategic ambitions—particularly those that advance world-class research inspired by our place in Aotearoa and the Pacific, and contribute meaningfully to global challenges, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Through these collaborations, we create high-impact opportunities for our students and staff: from transnational education and joint programmes to global research initiatives and mobility experiences that develop intercultural capability and global citizenship.

Our most strategic partnerships go beyond activity to achieve depth and transformation. Built on long-term alignment and shared purpose, they enable integrated collaboration across disciplines and sectors, strengthening our global research ecosystem and empowering our graduates to make the world better tomorrow than it is today.

Networks

We are a member of three prestigious, global networks for research-intensive universities.

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)

APRU is a network of leading universities linking thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers from the Americas, Asia, and Australasia to exchange ideas and collaborate on solutions to the challenges of the 21st century.

Universitas 21 (U21)

U21 joins leading, research-led universities across six continents, supporting the delivery of impact at institutional and societal levels as well as enabling personal career development and growth. Member institutions share best practice, focusing on global education and research and the diverse challenges facing higher education.

Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)

WUN connects 24 leading research-led universities in a collaborative partnership to advance research and education with a focus on major global challenges.

Academic staff may apply for the annual WUN Research Development Fund.

Transnational education partnerships

The University works with trusted international institutions to deliver high‑quality transnational education (TNE) collaborations that extend access to a globally recognised UoA qualification.

These collaborations allow students to begin their studies in their home country before completing their programme at the UoA, or through an approved shared delivery model. Each arrangement is designed to ensure academic equivalence, a seamless student experience and alignment with our quality assurance standards.

Our TNE models include:

Credit transfer arrangements
Articulation pathways
Foundation and pathway programmes
Dual master’s programmes

Through these models, international students benefit from academic continuity, global learning experiences and the opportunity to graduate with a UoA qualification, supported by strong institutional partnerships and consistent academic standards.

Contact

For queries regarding intitutional partnerships, please contact the relevant lead in the International Office: