The International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU) was created in 1991 in Singapore, to bring together the various Methodist-related educational institutions located in various parts of the world. All these institutions inherited the legacy of the Wesleyan tradition, which started as a student movement initiated by Charles Wesley at the University of Oxford in 1729. In 1748, John Wesley founded Kingswood School, the first Methodist school. Since then, thousands of institutions have been created in different parts of the world – Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America – and nearly 1,000 of them are related to IAMSCU.
The association was created in the context of the World Methodist Council (WMC) and it is affiliated with the WMC, working in close partnership with the WMC Education Committee. IAMSCU has been closely connected with the Boards of Education of various Churches in the Wesleyan and Methodist traditions, maintaining a more direct relationship with the United Methodist Church (UMC), the Methodist Church in Britain (MCB), Methodist Church in Argentina (IEMA), and many other bodies. IAMSCU has received the support of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) since its beginnings and partnered with many institutions such as Emory University (USA), Africa University (Zimbabwe), Universidad Madero (Mexico), Instituto Ward (Argentina), Aoyama Gakuin University (Japan), United Theological Seminary (Philippines), Methodist University of São Paulo (Brazil), Reutlingen Theologische Hochschule (Germany), Stockholm University College (Sweden), Westminster College (Australia), and many others.
Preparing and Connecting Leaders around the World!
Education and Leadership in the Wesleyan and Methodist traditions
To mark its 35th anniversary, IAMSCU will not only reflect on this past and consider the current challenges presented to the educational field worldwide, but also project its future, investing in more autonomy, sustainability, broader profile, programmatic impact and, most importantly, visibly affirming the Wesleyan and Methodist educational tradition which insists on academic freedom, connection between knowledge and vital piety, and the preparation of a new generation of leaders for the transformation of the world. In 2026, the association will take various initiatives to move more decisively and intentionally in this direction. IAMSCU started its celebrations in January, by joining the Asia Pacific Association of Methodist Educational Institutions (APAMEI) during its international conference in the Philippines, and these celebrations will continue in partnership with other individuals, institutions, associations, and other partners. Soon the IAMSCU leadership will share more details about its plans, publications, activities, and initiatives for 2026 and beyond.