In a significant move to enhance international academic cooperation, state universities from BRICS countries have launched the BRICS+ Universities Association (BUA). This new academic alliance aims to foster collaboration among higher education institutions from the BRICS nations and beyond, and is offering free membership to global institutions.
The BUA was founded by eight leading universities from Russia, India, Argentina, Brazil, and Ethiopia. Within its first month, the association has already attracted 125 universities from 28 countries. “The purpose of BUA is to provide a practical platform for universities seeking academic partnerships within the BRICS+ framework and globally,” explained Yulia Yakovleva, a marketing executive at BUA. “The focus is on tangible benefits rather than prestige.”
The association is developing a comprehensive online networking platform designed to help members post announcements, connect with potential partners, and facilitate student and faculty exchanges. The platform aims to streamline communication and collaboration across member institutions.
Originally founded as BRIC by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, the group expanded to BRICS with South Africa’s addition in 2010. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will officially join BRICS on January 1, 2024. While BUA centers on BRICS countries, it welcomes institutions from around the world to join.
Over the next five years, BUA aims to expand its membership to up to 5,000 universities and establish itself as the leading online platform for international academic communication. The association is particularly focused on promoting internationalization among small and medium-sized institutions, ensuring equal access to resources for all members.
Membership is free, and BUA is funded through voluntary contributions from its founding universities, which include institutions from Russia, Argentina, India, Ethiopia, and Brazil. “Securing financial investment and setting up organizational procedures were the biggest challenges,” noted Yakovleva. “We plan to seek donations in the future to support our activities.”
BUA is dedicated to academic cooperation rather than political discourse. Institutions interested in collaborating within the BRICS+ network are encouraged to join. The inaugural BRICS+ summit is scheduled for November 2024 in New Delhi, where representatives from the founding universities will convene in person for the first time.
Annual summits will be held in various BRICS+ countries, and the association aims to build relationships with local governments to secure future financial backing.
