• To encourage research in higher education.
• To promote the development of institutional management, planning and policy implementation.
• To disseminate information that supports policy-making, policy implementation and good practice in higher education.
• To support the membership by providing opportunities for networking and professional development in the field of higher education

These objectives will be achieved through the following measures:

• Organising an annual Forum bringing together students, researchers, policymakers, leaders, administrators and practitioners.
• Publishing the peer-reviewed journal ’Tertiary Education and Management’ which may include high quality papers from the annual Forum and other appropriate contributions. EAIR may support other publications too in addition to TEAM.
• Organising seminars and networking opportunities of interest to specific groups of the EAIR membership, involving non-members where appropriate. These may involve cooperation with other organisations.
• Providing a variety of opportunities for networking and professional development of members and other interested parties in the various fields of higher education.
• Initiating, encouraging and actively supporting comparative research on issues in higher education.
• Cooperating and exchanging information with relevant organisations.
• Providing other services to the membership, such as a membership directory; online databases; and electronic copies of Forum presentations.