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Extending Global Reach:  IEEE Signs a Partnership Agreement with United Nations’ UNESCO

Partnership Will Help Promote Engineering Education in Africa

2 February 2012 – Today, IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association, and UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, signed an agreement that is the first step in a strategic partnership to implement projects that will help produce a thriving and sustainable engineering community in Africa.

The agreement, signed at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, France, outlines initiatives that support the common goal of mobilizing engineering education outreach efforts for both students and educators in Africa.  Outreach in Africa is a priority for both organizations; and the combination of IEEE’s core strengths as a professional association (with the technical expertise of its global membership); paired with UNESCO’s overall objective to mobilize science knowledge and policy for sustainable development, makes the partnership a natural fit.

IEEE President and CEO Gordon Day, who signed the agreement for IEEE, said, “Everywhere in the world, quality of life and prosperity depend on the application of technology. That means that every country needs to have and sustain a strong high-tech workforce. Through this partnership, IEEE and UNESCO will be better able to help countries in Africa and elsewhere do just that.”

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, added, “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.”

Both the United States and UK Ambassadors to the United Nations, H.E. David Killion and H.E Matthew Sudders, participated in the signing as well as several other IEEE leaders.

UNESCO and IEEE agreed to collaborate on several projects and initiatives including accreditation programs, faculty training and encouraging the participation of women in engineering.