UNITWIN

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Handong Global University

UNESCO UNITWIN Project

First UNITWIN Host University in Korea designated by UNESCO

For Capacity Buidling of Sustainable Development in the Developing Countries.

♦ UNITWIN

UNITWIN is the abbreviation for the university twinning and networking scheme. This UNESCO programme was established in 1992, in accordance with a resolution adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 26th session (1991). The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme consists of the establishment of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks in higher education institutions.

The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Program was conceived as a way to advance research, training and program development in all of UNESCO’s fields of competence by building university networks and encouraging inter-university cooperation through the transfer of knowledge across borders. Since it was established in 1992, the program has aroused great interest among Member States. The UNITWIN program aims to be pertinent, forward-thinking and to impact socio-economic development effectively. So far UNESCO Chair and UNITWIN Network projects have proven useful in establishing new teaching programmes, generating new ideas through research and reflection, and facilitating the enrichment of existing university programmes while respecting cultural diversity. 

Today, 830 UNESCO Chairs and 44 UNITWIN Networks are established within the Programme in over 110 UNESCO Member States.

♦ HGU UNESCO UNITWIN Network

The principal objectives of the Cooperation Program are:
- To develop training in research and documentation of activities in the field of sustainable development, in particular, training in global leadership in the Asian region in business, information technology and law
- To develop exchange MBA programs
- Establishing long-term cooperation among partner universities for global leadership in business, management, information technology and law

Program Introduction:

- Next Generation Entrepreneurship Training: A program to help build the capacity for sustainable development among developing countries in the fourth industrial revolution era. Its purpose is to help develop entrepreneurship mindset in the mindset of the people in developing countries - that nourishes and sustains their development capacities of their nations.

- Holistic Community Development Program: Holistic Community Development is a way to fulfill the needs of the local community through sustainable effort from all of the residents by utilizing local resources (Stan Roland 2005). This program is not only meant to provide the local society’s basic need but also to help creating a balanced social environment where the understanding of humanity is highly valued.

- Start-up Incubating Program: Start-up Incubating and Development Program is a program to develop and spread the localized appropriate technology which could provide solutions to the problems. The purpose of this project is to elevate the local community’s standard of living and to strengthen the local university’s knowledge in technology.

- Urban Improvement Program: The main objective of this program is analyzing the current urban environment to improve living conditions of the local community and improve research ability of local research institutions and ministries. We dispatch research team with 3 ~ 4 professors or experts and 5 ~7 students to urban areas of developing countries to analyze and provide solutions to improve urban environment in developing countries due to poverty, lack of housing, environmental pollution. HGU and partner institutions often jointly organize seminars to share their research results about urban environment policy, affordable housing policy and redevelopment of downtown area.

- OCW/OER Program: The purpose of OCW/OER Initiatives is to make courseware open to the public in order to increase the access to quality educational material for everyone, including those who are not privileged to enjoy formal education.

- Joint Education Programs: Joint Education program was initiated with universities in developing countries (Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Philippines) to raise local experts who can contribute to socio economic development of their countries with global perspective. This program works to share knowledge managing higher education program and jointly develop the contents and curriculum for education. The final goal is to make the universities in developing countries enforce their capacity in higher education and manage those programs by themselves.

♦Contact: unitwin.handong.edu/en/