Memoranda of Understanding
UNESCO has signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding, with partner institutions, to establish strategic partnerships with industry, academic, and civil society as well as to outline joint programmes and activities that contribute to the priorities and mandates of UNESCO.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
© UNESCO
The IEEE and UNESCO sign a partnership to promote engineering education in Africa.
In 2012, UNESCO signed a MOU with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to prioritize Africa’s development through investing in engineering education. As stated by Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, in a press release:
"If engineering’s role is more visible and better understood, more people would be attracted to it as a career. Now and in the years to come, we need to ensure that motivated young women and men concerned about problems in the developing world continue to enter the field in sufficient numbers. It is estimated that some 2.5 million new engineers and technicians will be needed in sub-Saharan Africa alone.”
As a result of this MOU, IEEE was an important partner in UNESCO’s first engineering outreach event that took place in Nigeria in June 2013. Furthermore, an IEEE representative spoke about their Teacher In-Service Program (TISP) training workshops during the exhibitions at World Teachers’ Day 2013 at UNESCO Headquarters .
INTEL
© UNESCO-E.U.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and the Vice President of Intel Corporate Affairs Group, Shelly Esque, sign a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2013.
In April 2013, UNESCO signed a MOU with Intel to support technology-based engineering education with an emphasis on sustainable development. As stated by Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, in a press release:
“This agreement opens new opportunities. There is a crying demand today for knowledge, science, education and new technologies, and we need to help Member States gain the full benefit of this knowledge and innovation for driving their development.”
This MOU also supports UNESCO’s global priorities on Africa and gender equality. Through its relationship with the UNESCO Engineering Initiative, Intel is focused on reducing the gender disparity that exists in the scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical fields. Recently, Intel showcased a contemporary technology that can be used as a teaching aid in schools at World Teachers’ Day 2013.
