The International Association of La Salle Universities (IALU) has ratified the appointment of Josep M. Santos, General Director of La Salle-URL, as the new President of the alliance during its General Assembly, held on 30 June. His appointment marks the beginning of a new strategic phase for the global network of La Salle universities, driven by the implementation of the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan and focused on strengthening international collaboration, leadership development, and global impact.
“I assume this responsibility with gratitude and a profound sense of service. The strength of IALU lies in its ability to connect institutions, share knowledge, and foster initiatives that create a meaningful impact on people and society,” says Josep M. Santos, the network's new President, who adds: “I take on this new role with the commitment to further strengthen our shared mission and to consolidate an increasingly connected, collaborative, and influential Lasallian university network on a global scale.”
Through this appointment, La Salle Campus Barcelona, a founding member of Universitat Ramon Llull, further strengthens its international profile and leadership within a network of 67 La Salle universities and higher education institutions around the world.
A new chapter for the global network of La Salle universities
The IALU General Assembly concludes a strategic reflection process led over recent months by the alliance's General Council. The outcome is a new 2026–2028 Strategic Plan that defines the priorities guiding the network's work over the coming years and establishes a collaborative model designed to strengthen connections among member institutions and enhance their collective impact.
Under the motto 'Bound by Mission, Committed to Impact', this new strategic phase seeks to consolidate a more connected international higher education ecosystem, capable of generating greater shared value and addressing the major challenges facing higher education through collective action. The new roadmap is built around four strategic priorities: strengthening the network's global influence in higher education and sustainability; fostering collaboration and connectivity among universities; advancing Lasallian talent and leadership development; and supporting emerging institutions to reduce disparities and strengthen their capacities.
The new model also promotes the development of the Vertical Alliances of Excellence, academic cooperation structures that bring together institutions with shared areas of expertise. A leading example is the La Salle Business School Alliance (LSBSA), the first alliance of its kind established within the network and already operational. The Strategic Plan also foresees the launch of new alliances in engineering and technology, education, and health sciences.
A strengthened governance model for a more connected network
The 2026–2028 Strategic Plan also introduces an evolution of IALU's organisational model, aimed at strengthening coordination among member institutions and enhancing the network's capacity to develop shared initiatives with institutional impact. Within this renewed model, the role of the Executive Director, a responsibility that IALU continues to entrust to Carlos Coelho, is further strengthened as the orchestrator of the network's initiatives and projects. In this capacity, the Executive Director fosters coordination across member institutions, aligns the different workstreams, and enables universities to actively contribute to the development of shared initiatives.
Having previously served as Vice President of the network, Josep M. Santos succeeds David Livingston, Head of Lewis University (Chicago, United States), as President of IALU. During the General Assembly, members expressed their appreciation for Livingston's contribution to the development and consolidation of the organisation, as well as for his commitment to strengthening collaboration among Lasallian universities worldwide. The Assembly also ratified the appointment of Brother Iñigo Riola, President of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (Philippines), as the new Vice President of IALU.
"Universities have a responsibility to work increasingly as a network in order to address today’s major global challenges. This new chapter for IALU offers us an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and create an even greater impact for our students and for society. IALU is not an abstract entity. IALU exists when our institutions actively participate and when our shared mission is transformed into collective action," says Josep M. Santos.