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29 November 2024 Geneva, Switzerland – On 13 November 2024, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the University of Wolverhampton signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through programmes, research and innovation centers. This partnership will foster innovative education models, cutting-edge research, and meaningful international cooperation to advance SDG progress across sectors.

The collaboration aligns the expertise of both organizations to address global challenges, emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. The University of Wolverhampton, a higher education research institution, uses innovative education models to foster employability through research and community engagement. Their established legacy continues with the UNITAR partnership, opening doors for international cooperation to advance sustainability and the SDGs.

Under the framework, the partners will develop joint courses, research fellowships, establish a research center, host international conferences, and launch at Wolverhampton the first ‘Prosperity Alliance’ in the UK – a UNITAR-associated network for customized sustainable development training to promote global collaboration.

Our partnership with the University of Wolverhampton empowers youth as catalysts for change, combining innovative learning and global expertise. Together, we strive to promote economic, social and environmental development in support of the SDGs” – Mihoko Kumamoto, Director of the Division for Prosperity, UNITAR

This partnership harnesses the momentum of the Pact of the Future to amplify youth voices and foster global collaboration. Inspired by the Declaration of Future Generations, it bridges research, dialogue, and action to accelerate the 2030 Agenda,” – Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNITAR Executive Director

The memorandum of understanding outlines several areas of collaboration to maximize their combined impact on education, research, and innovation:

The University of Wolverhampton will spearhead initiatives to advance education and innovation around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes developing specialized degree programmes and doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships aligned with key SDGs, such as SDG 3 (Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peaceful and Inclusive Societies), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). To provide immersive learning opportunities, the university will facilitate international study visits to Geneva, including engagement with UN agencies and global decision-makers. Additionally, it will host a joint research centre and conferences for international knowledge exchange on SDG-related solutions and innovations. A key initiative, the Prosperity Alliance, will serve as a collaborative network to promote training, dialogue, and action on sustainable development.

UNITAR will guide and lead several key initiatives to advance sustainable development. These efforts include providing expert guidance on programme design, focusing on creating SDG-aligned curricula, organizing hackathons, and facilitating capacity-building workshops.

To maximize impact, the collaboration will work on growing global networks to amplify their activities’ reach across sectors and foster stronger connections. UNITAR will also support designing and implementing courses, hackathons, and conferences while offering strategic assistance to enhance these activities through global partnerships. Additionally, joint efforts in research centres and the Prosperity Alliance will focus on co-designing initiatives, incorporating the Quality Assurance methodology to ensure alignment with the SDGs and to enhance measurable impact.

The partnership seeks to develop innovative research approaches in training, education, and economic growth to address pressing global challenges. The immersive learning experiences and practical research applications will provide valuable knowledge for employment in sustainable development fields. The initial thematic areas include education, research, sustainability, international cooperation, and equitable economic growth.

By integrating diverse expertise, the University of Wolverhampton and UNITAR will create impactful opportunities for international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, forming another step forward in global efforts to tap the transformative power of education and innovation to create a sustainable and equitable future.

We are delighted to sign this strategic MOU with UNITAR, which is very much in line with the 2035 vision of the university. Wolverhampton and UNITAR share common goals and objectives with regards to enhancing global education and research collaboration to transform lives and deliver a more inclusive, productive and sustainable society” – Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton

We are looking forward to this special journey of strategic partnership with UNITAR, to closely collaborate and shape education and research initiatives to effectively address complex sustainability challenges and foster our global impact. Wolverhampton-UNITAR Prosperity Alliance will be the first of its kind in the UK. Professor Schofield and I are glad to represent our university and meet with UNITAR and UN Geneva officials. We would like to say thank you to the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNITAR Executive Director Nikhil Seth, the Director of the Division for Prosperity Mihoko Kumamoto, Mr Michael Adalla the Senior Programme Specialist at UNITAR, and our Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Pillai, who have made this collaboration a reality” – Mr. Maharaj Vijay Reddy, Associate Dean, University of Wolverhampton