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The Universities of Asia and the Pacific region, through their representatives assembled in conference at Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on 28 July 1995, Recognizing the need to relate education to the life and aspirations of the people, and to preserve and enhance the cultural, social and economic development of society for the people, Believing that regional cooperation among universities can contribute substantially to the improvement of national systems of higher education, to economic and social development, to human resources development and to mutual understanding and respect among people; Further believing that such co-operation can be highly effective and manageable on a regional scale; Conscious that the diversity of the institutions and systems of higher education of Asia and the Pacific constitutes a resource which can be drawn upon to the advantage of all concerned; Believing that an association of the universities of the region can enhance mutual co-operation among individual institutions to enrich their role in teaching, research and service and thus in promoting justice, human dignity, progress and peace; Believing also that in these matters the efforts of a regional association will complement those of international, sub-regional and national bodies concerned with higher education. Hereby decide to establish an Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific.

The name of the Association shall be the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) and the permanent headquarter and address of the Association shall be in Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. 111 University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, THAILAND.

The primary purpose of AUAP is to be a platform for interaction and collaboration among members and the voice of universities in Asia and the Pacific:
(a) to promote a culture of quality and innovation in higher education, research and service to the community.
(b) to preserve and enhance the values and cultural diversity of Asia Pacific towards better understanding and cooperation for socioeconomic development and (universal) peace.
(c) to engage with stakeholders of the higher education and other organizations to further the objectives of AUAP.

1. Those universities and other degree-conferring institutions which are dedicated to the advancement and transmission of knowledge at a level appropriate to university, as indicated by the nature and quality of their instruction, the participation of their staff in the advancement of knowledge, and the type of working equipment placed at the disposal of their staff, may be admitted to membership of the Association.
2. Any national association which enables the chief executives of universities in the region to counsel together in order to serve the general interests of the universities may be admitted as an Associate Member.
3. (a) Subject to the fulfillment of all conditions as set forth in the constitution and the by-laws, the Board shall award membership to a recognized institution.
(b) in the event of failure of any member to carry out the obligations, as set forth in the constitution and the by-laws, the Board shall have the right to suspend the membership of such an institution. However, the institution shallhavethe right to appeal to the General Conference against such suspension.
4. Each member of the Association shall pay an annual subscription, the amount of which shall be determined by the Board.
5. Associate members shall pay an annual subscription as determined by the Board.
6. Each member institution shall designate a correspondent, normally the chief executive, to be responsible for relations with the Association. All communications may be validly addressed to this correspondent.
7. Members may resign from the Association after giving six months' notice of intention to do so to the Secretary-General in writing. The subscription for the year already started shall remain payable.

1. The organs of the Association shall be:
(a) The General Conference;
(b) The President and Vice-Presidents;
(c) The Board
(d) The Advisory Council; and
(e) The Secretariat.

1. The General Conference shall be the supreme organ of the Association. Among other things it shall have the power,
(a) to determine the general policy and programme of the Association and in particular to determine the extent of collaboration with other bodies dealing with higher education;
(b) to elect the President and the First Vice-President (who shall also be the President-Elect) and the Second Vice-President of the Association; and..
(c) to elect the other members of the Board.
2. The General Conference shall meet at least once every two years at the time and place determined at its preceding meeting. In case of emergency, this place and time may be changed by the President of the Association.
3. The General Conference may be convened in extraordinary session on the written request of the majority of members addressed to the Board or, if so decided, by the Board by a two-thirds majority of the members present.
4. The General Conference is composed of full and associate members but may be opened to Accredited Observers approved by the President. Any person admitted to a meeting of the General Conference as an Accredited Observer may be invited to address the Conference with the agreement of the President.
5. Each member may nominate more than one delegate to attend a meeting of the General Conference but shall have only one vote exercised by the member or on behalf of the member by the member's duly appointed representative. Associate members shall not have the right to vote.
6. In the absence of provisions to the contrary, a motion is adopted by a simple majority vote.
7. The Secretary-General shall participate in the General Conference as Secretary, but shall not vote.

1. The President of the Association shall be elected by the General Conference by a majority of members present and voting, and shall remain in office for a single term of two years.
2. The General Conference shall then elect a First Vice-President by a majority vote for one term of two years.
3. The General Conference shall likewise elect a Second Vice-President to serve for one term of two years. The Secretary-General shall call for nominations for the position of board members at least 3 months before the general conference.
4. Only chief executives representing full members of the Association present at the meeting of the General Conference shall be eligible for election as President of Vice President.
5. The President shall not be eligible for re-election as President but the Vice Presidents shall be eligible for election as President, Vice President or member of the Board.
6. The President of the Association shall also be the Chairperson of the Board.
7. If a person elected to be President, First Vice President, or Second Vice President ceases to be the chief executive of a member institution, that person will not be eligible to continue as the President, First Vice President or Second Vice President. However, to reinforce the institutional commitment to AUAP, the position is assumed by the successor of that member institution.
8. Whenever the President is unable to act, the First Vice President shall take the President's place. If the office of President become vacant, the First Vice President shall become President.
9. The President may establish a sub-secretariat within the University in which he/she presides to coordinate related activities with the Headquarters of the Association.

1. The Board shall give effect to the decisions of the General Conference.
2. It shall:
(a) direct and control the activities of the Secretariat;
(b) appoint the Secretary-General;
(c) approve or amend the Association's annual work programme and budget presented by the Secretary-General; and
(d) prepare the agenda of the General Conference and present thereto the programme to be
(e) followed until the Conference shall next meet in ordinary session;
3. The Board is responsible to the General Conference to which it shall report concerning all its activities.
4. With the exception of the inaugural board, which will not have an Immediate Past President as a member, the Board shall consist of the President, the Immediate Past President, the First Vice-President (who is also the President elect) the Second Vice President and five to seven other members who shall be elected by the General Conference for a period of two years.
5. When electing these members due regard shall be paid to sub-regional representation and the need for the Board to reflect in its composition the diversity of member institutions and of the systems of higher education of the region; but no country may have more than one member, whether an office holder or an ordinary member, on the Board.
6. The Secretary-General shall be Secretary to the Board but shall not vote.
7. The Board shall, from within its membership appoint a Finance Committee and 2 internal auditors among its members and 1 external auditor.
8. The Board shall meet in ordinary session at least once a year. It may be convened for extraordinary sessions by the President and shall be so convened on the written request of a two-thirds majority of the members of the Board.
9. A duly convened meeting of the Board shall not be valid unless a majority of Board members are present.
10. The Board may appoint committees and sub-committees as it deems appropriate.
11. A person elected as a member of the Board ceases to be the chief executive of a member institution, that person will be replaced by his/ her successor as a member of the Board.
12. Accredited Observers, approved by the President, may be admitted to a meeting of the Board and, with the agreement of the President, be permitted to address the meeting.

1. The Advisory Council shall comprise persons or representatives of organization who are invited by the Board to serve as members of the Council.
2. The principal activity of the Advisory Council shall be the provision of advice to the Board and to the General Conference on matters relating to the purposes of the Association.
3. The Advisory Council shall, from within its membership, elect a Chairperson who shall preside over meetings of the Advisory Council and co-ordinate Advisory Council activities.
4. Accredited Observers, approved by the Chairperson, may be admitted to meetings of the Advisory Council and, with the agreement of the Chairperson, be permitted to address the meetings.

1. Under the supervision of the Board, the Secretariat shall:
(a) collect and disseminate documentary material and other information of relevance to member institutions;
(b) promote collaborative research and other contacts among the researchers of the region;
(c) promote exchanges and other movements of university staff and students; and
(d) undertake such other tasks as are compatible with the aims of the Association.
2. (a) The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the Board for a period of two years but may be extended for such further period as the Board shall determine;
(b) Notwithstanding sub-article 2(a), the Board may, if it deems fit, revoke the appointment at any time during the term of such appointment.
3. Under the authority of the President, the Secretary-General shall;
(a) represent the Association at law and in all acts of civil life;
(b) recruit the staff of the Secretariat and exercise disciplinary powers over it in accordance with such rules as may be established by the Board;
(c) accept, under conditions approved by the Board, such subventions and donations as conform with the purposes of the Association; the source, amounts and purposes of such donations will be made known to all members of the Association;
(d) present every year to the Board a working programme and a report on the activities of the preceding year;
(e) submit every year to Board a draft budget and present for its approval the duly certified accounts of the preceding year.
(f) work closely and collaboratively with the President to ensure efficient and effective management of the Association.

1. The headquarters of the Association shall be in Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The Secretariat shall establish its services in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The location of either may be changed by a two-thirds majority decision of the General Conference, or in case of emergency by the Board or by the Secretary-General in consultation with the President.

1. Proposals for the amendment of this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary-General, not less than five months before the opening date of the session of the General Conference at which they are to be considered, and copies shall be sent by the Secretariat to all member institutions, by registered mail, not less than four months before opening date. Proposals of which notice has been given in this form shall be debated during the sessions of the General Conference and shall come into immediate effect if adopted on a written ballot by a two-thirds majority of the members attending a meeting called for the purpose, provided that the total number of votes cast shall constitute a majority of the members attending the session.

1. The Association may be dissolved by the decision of a two-thirds majority of members who have paid their subscription for the preceding year. In case of dissolution, the assets of the Association shall be transferred to UNESCO to be used in the interests of higher education in the region.