All undergraduate and graduate programs (Master’s and PhD programs) at universities in the Autonomous Region of Madrid and in Cordoba, or nearby cities, wishing to take part in the upcoming edition of Aula Árabe Universitaria (AAU8) may submit proposals for speakers and topics—provided that they are related with the Arab-Muslim world—for the annual conference series to be held during the academic year of 2026–27.  

In order to do so, the bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree coordinator or professor who is responsible for AAU participation must fill out the online form, including their contact information and information on the university program, along with their proposed speakers (up to three, in order of preference). The deadline to complete the form and submit the proposals is May 17. 

After that date, the proposals will be evaluated so that, in early June, the university programs can be contacted and the schedule for the annual conference series can be determined. Casa Árabe will be responsible for contacting the speakers in July, to make final decisions on the conference series before the summer break and begin the sessions in late September. 

This eighth edition is once again forming part of the regional cooperation program with the Arab world known as Masar al’an / “Masar Now,” run by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). It shares the common goal of contributing knowledge and dialogue on sustainable development in Arab countries. In this sense, for the final selection of speakers and topics, a special emphasis this year will be placed on those working on topics which align with the work of the “Masar al’an” program: sustainable development, employment, the green economy and ecological transition, the environment and water, gender equality and youth empowerment, regional integration and cooperation, as well as political and social dynamics in the Arab world, in addition to all those which may contribute to a better understanding of the region and in which various university programs have an interest. 

Aula Árabe Universitaria (AAU) is an inter-university cooperation program organized by Casa Árabe, with the cooperation of the undergraduate and graduate university programs at universities in Madrid and Cordoba, where the program is based, as well as other nearby cities. The program is twinned with the Aula Mediterrània program held by IEMed. 

Its objective is to contribute to a greater understanding of Arab countries, their culture and society, as well as the dynamics of change and transformation they are undergoing, by complementing and enriching study programs from a multidisciplinary perspective, featuring conferences by leading experts in each field, based on the topic proposals and expert recommendations you send us. 

Created on the basis of the proposals of experts and topics made by the university programs which sign up and cooperate with the program, AAU is designed for the students of those university degree programs, providing contact with relevant speakers and experts at the international level in different subjects and arenas related with the Arab world, all with the goal of enriching their academic offerings to make them more well-rounded.  

The conferences will be taking place at Casa Árabe’s two headquarters in Madrid and Cordoba throughout the academic year. The university programs are committed to bringing their students to the events and taking part in the program in person. They are also being broadcast live on Casa Árabe’s YouTube channel in order to facilitate connection with the university programs from other cities, and those which collaborate with Aula Mediterrània, a program organized by IEMed, another event program with which Aula Árabe Universitaria has close ties.  

Those students who attend over 50% of the conferences in person are issued a certificate from Aula Árabe Universitaria at the end of the course. Attendance at each conference is recorded with a stamp in a “Passport to the Arab World,” a leaflet containing the calendar in which attendance gets recorded with stamps. 

The conferences are also offered to students from the other programs participating in the series, as well as the general public, so as to promote cooperation amongst universities and multidisciplinary study, while furthering knowledge about the Arab world.  

At the latest seventh edition, for the 2025-26 academic year, 30 university programs from 12 universities participated, with 15 conferences in Madrid, two in Cordoba, and one in Granada.  

Apply to participate and submit proposals for AAU8

Aula Árabe Universitaria 7 (2025/26)
Aula Árabe Universitaria 6 (2024/25)
Aula Árabe Universitaria 5 (2023/24)
Aula Árabe Universitaria 4 (2022/23)
Aula Árabe Universitaria 3 (2021/22)
Aula Árabe Universitaria 2 (2020/21)
Aula Árabe Universitaria (2019/20)