In its post-graduate training the University shall assist scholars, especially young scholars, to participate in research in order to increase their capability to contribute to the extension, application and diffusion of knowledge.
The University … shall endeavour to alleviate the intellectual isolation of persons in such communities in the developing countries which might otherwise become a reason for their moving to developed countries.
— The Charter of United Nations University
UNU has a strong commitment to capacity development, especially aiming to enhance the capacity of individuals and institutions in developing countries.
A large share of UNU's budget is specifically devoted to our Capacity Development Programme. A recent survey among the various contributors to UNU's capacity development activities has shown that these are widely and highly appreciated and have in many cases been critical to the career development of the participants. Encouraged by this assessment, the UNU is establishing a "UNU Capacity Development Fund" to help strengthen and further expand its Capacity Development Programme.
Key features of UNU's Capacity Development Programme
Postgraduate level
In line with UNU's research and capacity-development focus, UNU capacity development programmes are available exclusively at the postgraduate level. UNU fellowships are awarded to young and mid-career scholars and professionals, primarily from developing countries.
Sustainability
UNU's capacity-development programme aims to enhance the capacity for learning, development and governance especially in developing countries. These efforts also help to alleviate the intellectual isolation of researchers and institutions from developing countries and integrate them into the wider international academic community.
Rigorous selection of fellows and their home institutions helps to ensure that the training opportunity provided to an individual bears greater fruit at an institutional level, adding to the sustainability of the training effect.
Strong partners
Many of UNU's capacity development programmes are organized in cooperation with partner institutions. UNU's partner institutions, located all over the world, are selected on the basis of scientific excellence in their respective fields of specialization and a proven track record in advanced training. In most cases, programmes are implemented on a cost-sharing basis with the partner institution.
The UNU focuses on strengthening cooperation among institutions in developing countries - building "south-south" cooperation to further enhance the teaching and research capacities of existing centres of excellence.
Building on core competencies
Fellowships are offered in all priority programme areas of UNU and build on the strong research base of UNU and its partners.
Programmes
UNU works to attain its capacity development goals by a variety of means:
- Short-duration training courses and workshops
- Long-duration training programmes for post-graduate academics and professionals
- Master's, Ph.D. and Post-doctoral programmes
Some of UNU's Capacity Development programmes are open for individual application, while participants for other programmes, which are aimed at strengthening specific institutions in developing countries over a longer term, are identified from within UNU's own networks.
Many of the research projects designed and managed within the two Programme Areas at UNU Centre or by UNU's Research and Training Centres and Progammes upgrade the skills and knowledge of individuals and/or the capacity of academic or other institutions through opportunities for learning and exchange arising from their involvement in UNU coordinated project work.
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Page last modified 2008.03.25.
