The BOT has the task of formulating policies, approving project proposals, the allocation of budgets and co-ordinating implementation activities.

Due to the inclusion of Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia in ASEAN, the network grew to 21 members.

The financing of AUN activities comes from either cost sharing between the participating universities or from the external 'dialogue partners' of ASEAN.

The dialogue partners are Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, ROK, Russia and the United States.

In its early years (1995–1999), the AUN focused mainly on the sharing of knowledge and experiences and on small-scale student and staff exchange.

As from 1999, the collaborative activities became more complex with programmes like joint curriculum development, co-operation in ICT and the establishment of sub-networks.

In particular, the AUN Quality Assurance programme has very ambitious goals with consequences that transcend the disciplinary boundaries.