Background

The IAI was initiated as a result of a forum on Antarctic Affairs in 2003. Both the Tasmanian Governor at the time, Sir Guy Green, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, Professor Daryl Le Grew, and the Director of IASOS, Professor McMinn saw an opportunity and envisioned the establishment of an International Antarctic University.

Invitations to attend a workshop to discuss the development of such an educational structure were extended to universities and relevant institutions throughout the world that were directly concerned with Antarctic undergraduate and postgraduate education. The workshop was held in Hobart in November 2004 and the concept received unanimous support from the 30 participants from 19 institutions representing 12 countries. Participants recognized a range of practical issues related to establishing and implementing such an Institute, including its funding and infrastructure needs and support.

During the meeting, the following resolutions were discussed and passed unanimously:

1. An international Antarctic institute (“the Institute”) should be established.

2. The Institute:

a. Shall comprise a consortium of participating institutions

b. Shall be governed by a council comprising a person appointed by each Participating Institution.

3. It is envisaged that the Institute will be multi-campus and multi-disciplinary and will:

a. Develop undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses and associated activities and provide joint supervision of student projects;

b. Be a vehicle to draw upon the strengths of each Participating Institution;

c. Facilitate student and faculty exchange.

4. The offer by the University of Tasmania to establish and resource an interim Secretariat to provide administrative support for the establishment of the Institute is accepted.

5. The offer by the University of Tasmania to establish and resource a Secretariat for the operation of the Institute for an initial period following its establishment is accepted.

6. As soon as practicable, each participating Institution shall provide the interim Secretariat with the name and contact details of a representative.

7. Following consultation with the Participating Institutions, the interim Secretariat shall generate detailed proposals and business plans for the structure and operation of the Institute for consideration and ratification by the appropriate institutional bodies.

That the interim Secretariat be authorized to inform the International Polar Year (IPY) Committee of the proposal to establish an international Antarctic institute and to register a Statement of Intent in anticipation of the establishment of the Institute.

Since the initial meeting a Constitution has been written and approved by all Members and individualized Memorandum of Understanding have been signed. Two Council meetings have been held in conjunction with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) open science meetings – one in Australia in 2006 and one in Russia in 2008.

2006-2014

Under construction

2015-2024

Under construction