UNESCO

UNESCO

UNITWIN / UNESCO Chairs ProgrammeUNITWIN / UNESCO Chairs Programme

Strategy and Development: 1992-2002

UNESCO

Why a UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Why a UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme ?Programme ?

UNESCO’s response to main trends in international UNESCO’s response to main trends in international cooperation in Higher Educationcooperation in Higher Education

Develop inter-university solidarity to support Higher Develop inter-university solidarity to support Higher Education in developing countriesEducation in developing countries

Alleviate the adverse effects of the brain drainAlleviate the adverse effects of the brain drain

Build up centres for advanced studies and researchBuild up centres for advanced studies and research

Secure support of the international community for Secure support of the international community for institutions and systems of Higher Education in institutions and systems of Higher Education in developing countriesdeveloping countries

UNESCO

Trends in Higher EducationTrends in Higher Education Socio-economic development has become increasingly knowledge-Socio-economic development has become increasingly knowledge-

based. Hence increased role of Higher Education in societybased. Hence increased role of Higher Education in society Widening of the knowledge gap between industrialized and Widening of the knowledge gap between industrialized and

developing countriesdeveloping countries Situation of Higher Education became dramatic in the developing Situation of Higher Education became dramatic in the developing

countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africacountries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa Need for a flexible mechanism to contribute to the rapid transfer Need for a flexible mechanism to contribute to the rapid transfer

and sharing of knowledge via inter-university links and exchanges and sharing of knowledge via inter-university links and exchanges Increased scale of brain drain from developing and transition Increased scale of brain drain from developing and transition

countriescountries Inter-university cooperation has emerged as major instrument for Inter-university cooperation has emerged as major instrument for

channeling support both to national systems and to institutions of channeling support both to national systems and to institutions of Higher EducationHigher Education

UNESCO

MODE OF ACTION IN THE MODE OF ACTION IN THE UNITWIN/UNESCO CHAIRS PROGRAMMEUNITWIN/UNESCO CHAIRS PROGRAMME

Two modes of actionTwo modes of action UNESCO CHAIRUNESCO CHAIR UNITWIN NETWORKUNITWIN NETWORK

How to establish a UNESCO CHAIR ?How to establish a UNESCO CHAIR ?

RequestRequest Universities Universities Other institutions of Higher EducationOther institutions of Higher Education Research InstitutionsResearch Institutions

Approval, both by the institution and the Approval, both by the institution and the National Commission for UNESCONational Commission for UNESCO

UNESCO

CreationCreation

Proposal submitted by one or several institutions of Proposal submitted by one or several institutions of Higher Education or by NGO, endorsed by the National Higher Education or by NGO, endorsed by the National Commission(s) for UNESCO Commission(s) for UNESCO

Examination of proposal by the units concerned in the Examination of proposal by the units concerned in the UNESCO SecretariatUNESCO Secretariat

Agreement between the host institution and UNESCO, Agreement between the host institution and UNESCO,

signed by the DG and the ViceChancellor / President / signed by the DG and the ViceChancellor / President / RectorRector

UNESCO

Appointment of the ChairholderAppointment of the ChairholderCriteriaCriteria

Reknown specialist in the domain of knowledge to be covered by the Reknown specialist in the domain of knowledge to be covered by the Chair/NetworkChair/Network

Capacity to handle international action in similar domains Capacity to handle international action in similar domains

Guarantee for assuring high academic standardGuarantee for assuring high academic standard

The host institution of a Chair may make individual proposals for a The host institution of a Chair may make individual proposals for a ChairholderChairholder

Note: Nomination of a Chairholder does not necessarily involve Note: Nomination of a Chairholder does not necessarily involve creation of a specific post and does not always constitute an creation of a specific post and does not always constitute an employment opportunityemployment opportunity

Selection through international recruitment ( proposals made by the Selection through international recruitment ( proposals made by the host institution )host institution )

UNESCO

ProcedureProcedure

Nowadays, the most current practice consists of selecting the Nowadays, the most current practice consists of selecting the candidate for a UNESCO Chairholder among academics candidate for a UNESCO Chairholder among academics working in the same institution, or working in the same institution, or

selecting an academic from an institution abroad to be invited selecting an academic from an institution abroad to be invited for short term visitsfor short term visits

In the second case, an important role is played by the national In the second case, an important role is played by the national project coordinatorproject coordinator

Appointment of the ChairholderAppointment of the Chairholder

UNESCO

The overall success of the programme greatly depends The overall success of the programme greatly depends on financial and in-kind support from:on financial and in-kind support from: Institutions of Higher Education in the industrialized countries Institutions of Higher Education in the industrialized countries Institutions in the developing countriesInstitutions in the developing countries Governments and governmental organizations taking part in the Governments and governmental organizations taking part in the

programmeprogramme NGOs of Higher Education which agree to establish links between NGOs of Higher Education which agree to establish links between

their own programmes and UNITWINtheir own programmes and UNITWIN UNESCO’s Participation ProgrammeUNESCO’s Participation Programme UNESCO’s Programme Sectors under Regular Programme (Start-UNESCO’s Programme Sectors under Regular Programme (Start-

up funding)up funding) Foundations and other donorsFoundations and other donors Industry and private sectorIndustry and private sector

How and by whom are financed How and by whom are financed UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs projects ?UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs projects ?

The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme is a joint undertakingThe UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme is a joint undertakingUNESCO plays the role of catalystUNESCO plays the role of catalyst

UNESCO

All participating institutions are called upon to make material and financial All participating institutions are called upon to make material and financial

contributioncontribution

A specific type of Chairs called UNISPAR was developed with support from A specific type of Chairs called UNISPAR was developed with support from industriesindustries

The experience shows that a majority of donors to UNITWIN projects prefer The experience shows that a majority of donors to UNITWIN projects prefer to channel their funds directly to the UNESCO Chairs and the UNITWIN to channel their funds directly to the UNESCO Chairs and the UNITWIN NetworksNetworks

This modality brought to UNITWIN US$ 30 millions between 1995-1999 This modality brought to UNITWIN US$ 30 millions between 1995-1999

UNESCO

Setting up new academic programmes and updating Setting up new academic programmes and updating existing onesexisting ones

Training at graduate and postgraduate levels (Sub / Training at graduate and postgraduate levels (Sub / regional centres of excellence)regional centres of excellence)

Conferences and workshops related to the field of Conferences and workshops related to the field of competence of the Chaircompetence of the Chair

Research (emphasis on joint projects)Research (emphasis on joint projects)

PublicationsPublications

All activities are based on interdisciplinarity and All activities are based on interdisciplinarity and involve an international dimension involve an international dimension

Nature of the Nature of the activitiesactivities

UNESCO

Current state of the Current state of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs programmeUNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs programme

Although constrained by lack of funds, the Although constrained by lack of funds, the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs programme has known a UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs programme has known a very rapid development, which indicates that it has very rapid development, which indicates that it has been accepted favourably by the Member States and been accepted favourably by the Member States and by higher education institutionsby higher education institutions

In 2002 total number of established UNESCO Chairs In 2002 total number of established UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks is 510and UNITWIN Networks is 510

UNESCO

UNITWIN/UNESCO CHAIRSUNITWIN/UNESCO CHAIRSJanuary 1991 - September 2002January 1991 - September 2002

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 20027

2024

44

22

4449

62

74

36 35

13

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION OF UNESCO CHAIRSDISTRIBUTION OF UNESCO CHAIRSAs at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

23%

77%

Developed countries

Developing Countries and Countries in Transition

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY REGIONDISTRIBUTION BY REGION As at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

Africa14%

Arab States9%

Asia and Pacific States12%

East & Central Europe

24%

Latin America and the

Caribbean18%

Western Europe & N. America

23%

UNESCO

UNESCO CHAIRS BY REGIONUNESCO CHAIRS BY REGIONAs at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

65

43

56

107

80

105

Africa Arab States Asia andPacificStates

East &CentralEurope

LatinAmerica &Caribbean

WesternEurope & N.

America

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY FIELDDISTRIBUTION BY FIELDAs at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

6054

63

78

44 4248

37

15

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY FIELDDISTRIBUTION BY FIELDAFRICA AFRICA

As at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

64

22

13

2 3

8

2 1

Series1

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY FIELDDISTRIBUTION BY FIELDARAB STATESARAB STATESAs at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

4 4

9

7

1

43

5

1

Series1

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY FIELDDISTRIBUTION BY FIELDASIA AND THE PACIFICASIA AND THE PACIFIC

As at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

9

7 7

8

2

3

9

5

1

Series1

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY FIELDDISTRIBUTION BY FIELDEASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPEEASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE

As at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

1011

10

19

15

12

14

11

2

Series1

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY FIELDDISTRIBUTION BY FIELDLATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEANLATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

As at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

16

12

10

6

4

11

5

77

UNESCO

DISTRIBUTION BY FIELDDISTRIBUTION BY FIELDWESTERN EUROPE & NORTH AMERICA WESTERN EUROPE & NORTH AMERICA

As at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

14

10

15

4

87

13

15

19

Series1

UNESCO

UNITWIN NETWORKSUNITWIN NETWORKSEvolution over the 1992- 2002 periodEvolution over the 1992- 2002 period

0 0

5

7 78

6

8

5

7

1

5

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 NoDate

Total

UNESCO

UNITWIN NETWORKSUNITWIN NETWORKSDISTRIBUTION BY REGIONDISTRIBUTION BY REGIONAs at 12 September 2002As at 12 September 2002

32

1

79

44

Africa ArabStates

Asia andthe Pacific

Easternand

CentralEurope

LatinAmericaand the

Caribbean

WesternEurope

and NorthAmerica

Series1

UNESCO

How to establish UNITWIN Network ?How to establish UNITWIN Network ?

Twinning of existing UNESCO Chairs at regional or Twinning of existing UNESCO Chairs at regional or global levelglobal level

Already existing networks could express interest to Already existing networks could express interest to link up with UNITWIN by gearing activities towards link up with UNITWIN by gearing activities towards the needs of higher education in developing the needs of higher education in developing countriescountries

Universities twinned by bilateral agreements decide Universities twinned by bilateral agreements decide to expand them into multilateral onesto expand them into multilateral ones

Projects established from the beginning as Projects established from the beginning as networks, e.g.networks, e.g. : : Utrecht-Southern-Africa UNITWIN Network Utrecht-Southern-Africa UNITWIN Network ORBICOMORBICOM UNESCO Cousteau Chairs in EcotechnologyUNESCO Cousteau Chairs in Ecotechnology … …

UNESCO

Networks established through agreements between Networks established through agreements between UNESCO and NGOs of Higher Education, e.g.:UNESCO and NGOs of Higher Education, e.g.: UNAMAZUNAMAZ The Copernicus and Columbus programmes of CREThe Copernicus and Columbus programmes of CRE

Several institutions (from developed countries) served Several institutions (from developed countries) served as focal point or coordination of networks, e.g. : as focal point or coordination of networks, e.g. : Universities of the Santander Group (Chairs in Africa and Latin Universities of the Santander Group (Chairs in Africa and Latin

America)America) Oxford University for Networks on Refugee Studies in Africa and Oxford University for Networks on Refugee Studies in Africa and

the Arab Statesthe Arab States

Creation of NetworksCreation of Networks Agreement on Cooperation for a four year periodAgreement on Cooperation for a four year period Renewal of agreement, following thorough evaluation by UNESCORenewal of agreement, following thorough evaluation by UNESCO

UNESCO

Appointment of networks’ responsiblesAppointment of networks’ responsibles Subject to approval by UNESCO and the competent academic bodies of the Subject to approval by UNESCO and the competent academic bodies of the

institutions associated to a Networkinstitutions associated to a Network Usually, one institution / UNESCO Chair assumes responsibility for coordination Usually, one institution / UNESCO Chair assumes responsibility for coordination

and management of a Networkand management of a Network

Funding of networks Funding of networks Based on the same principles as for UNESCO ChairsBased on the same principles as for UNESCO Chairs

Activities of networksActivities of networks Setting up new academic programmes and up-dating existing onesSetting up new academic programmes and up-dating existing ones Staff development, through grants and periods of study/research abroadStaff development, through grants and periods of study/research abroad Training at the graduate and postgraduate levelsTraining at the graduate and postgraduate levels Short term workshopsShort term workshops Research (mainly joint projects)Research (mainly joint projects) Service activitiesService activities

UNESCO

Continuous monitoring and evaluationContinuous monitoring and evaluation through regular reporting through regular reporting system by:system by: - The participating institutions- The participating institutions - UNESCO Secretariat- UNESCO Secretariat

Regular update of the Regular update of the UNITWIN DatabaseUNITWIN Database established in 1997 established in 1997

UNITWIN DirectoryUNITWIN Directory published by UNESCO every two years, as a published by UNESCO every two years, as a subproduct of the database.subproduct of the database.

Internal (1996) and external (2000) Internal (1996) and external (2000) evaluations evaluations of the Programmeof the Programme

Launching of the Launching of the UNITWIN Portal in September 2002in September 2002

MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAMMEMANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAMME

UNESCO

Strengthening action at the regional and sub-regional levelsStrengthening action at the regional and sub-regional levels

Launching of the Academics across Borders - (AAB) initiativeLaunching of the Academics across Borders - (AAB) initiative

Facilitating the application of ICTs and of Open/Distance EducationFacilitating the application of ICTs and of Open/Distance Education

Opening up to new partnerships and alliances Opening up to new partnerships and alliances

Developing new funding strategyDeveloping new funding strategy

Making UNITWIN better known in each country and internationallyMaking UNITWIN better known in each country and internationally

ELEMENTS OF FUTURE STRATEGYELEMENTS OF FUTURE STRATEGY

UNESCO

UNITWIN started as an UNITWIN started as an IDEA…IDEA…

Grew into a Grew into a PROGRAMME…PROGRAMME…

Can and should become a Can and should become a GLOBAL MOVEMENT, GLOBAL MOVEMENT,

based on solidarity and based on solidarity and sharingsharing

THANKTHANK YOU ALLYOU ALL