The Academic Staff Development Centre (AADC) is an institution or unit within a university or higher education organization dedicated to enhancing the professional development of academic staff, including faculty members, lecturers, and researchers. The primary aim of an AADC is to support teaching excellence, research capabilities, and overall academic effectiveness.
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is a prestigious organization in India that represents and coordinates the activities of universities across the country. Established in 1925, AIU serves as a platform for universities to come together, share knowledge, and collaborate on various academic and administrative matters. Established in 1925 as the Inter University Board (IUB) of India, it acquired its legal status as a registered society in 1967 under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and was rechristened as Association of Indian Universities (AIU) in 1973. AIU is the second oldest university association in the world next to the Association of Commonwealth Universities which was established in 1913. It has the distinct feature of having the largest network of universities and other HEIs under its ambit with 972 members in India and 17 Associated members from foreign countries. 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, Universities/Institutes from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom are its Associate Members. Since its inception AIU has played a very significant role in the development of Higher Education in the Country. Some of the eminent scholars and visionary leaders like Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Dr Zakir Hussain, Sir A L. Mudaliar have given leadership to AIU. During such a long journey, AIU has carved a niche for itself by serving the Ministry of Education, Govt of India as a research-based policy advisory body. Being an apex institution, it constitutes an integral part of all major decision-making committees and commissions in the country. The Vision of AIU is to emerge as a dynamic service and apex advisory organization in India by undertaking such initiatives and programmes which could strengthen and popularize Indian higher education as leading-edge system in the world and promote greater national and international collaboration in Higher Education, Research, Extension, Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities.