The formation of the Inter-University Board (IUB) of India as an Apex Inter-University Organization on March 23, 1925, in a meeting of Vice Chancellors/their representatives at Bombay University was the culmination of the need to bring together all the universities in India on a common platform through a coordinating body, to protect the interest of the students as well as the universities. The objective was to promote university activities, especially by way of sharing information and increasing co-operation in the field of education, culture, sports, and allied areas. Prior to this, having such an organization in India was recommended by the Sadler Commission in 1919 followed by a resolution, made in the Conference of Vice Chancellors of the Indian Universities convened at Shimla in 1924.
The Inter-University Board acquired a legal status with its registration as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, on September 29, 1967, and was renamed as Association of Indian Universities (AIU) in 1973. Since its inception AIU has been actively engaged in the growth and development of Higher Education. The membership of AIU includes all types of universities e.g., Conventional Universities, Open Universities, deemed to be Universities, State Universities, Central Universities, Private Universities, and Institutes of National Importance. In addition to Indian Universities, 13 Universities/Institutes from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom are its Associate Members.
AIU Youth Affairs Division organizes youth programmes, which are dedicated to Human Development, Personality Development, Active Citizenship, Building Youth Leadership, National Character, Human and Cultural Values. The activities also provide the youth an opportunity for a healthy interaction thereby instilling in them an awareness of our historical and cultural heritage. A few of important activities are: Inter-University Youth Festivals (UNIFESTS); International Youth Festival, Asian Universities Youth Festival (AUFEST); National Youth Adventure & Trekking Camp; National Women Student Parliament; National Moot Court Competition; National Qawwali Competition; NSS Workshops; Seminars; Literary Contests etc. From time-to-time selected university youth of AIU Youth Programmes are considered by the various Ministries to send abroad under National & International Youth Exchange Programmes Exchange.
A fraternity of the youth artistes has been formed through organization of AIU youth programs during the past several years which has been playing an invisible role in bringing about cultural, emotional and National integration through a process of cultural exchange amongst students from diverse regions and backgrounds thereby promoting in our youth, a pride for Indian culture, linguistic diversities and an awareness of national identity. They are also a medium of inculcating in the younger generation a spirit of unity, fraternity, peace, harmony and leadership qualities.
