UNDP and UOB Hold a Joint Cooperation Program to Support the SDGs

In line with the initiatives of
the Kingdom of Bahrain to support innovation as a source of sustainable
development, the President of the University of Bahrain (UOB) Prof. Riyad
Yousif Hamzah signed a joint cooperation program with Mr. Stefano Pettinato, Resident
Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which will
provide support for the sustainable development goals.

Under this joint cooperation,
UNDP shall provide technical support to develop the University’s capabilities,
by providing local and international information, studies and skills, and
trying to build upon them and benefit from them in establishing sustainable
development values ??and achieving their goals.

On this occasion, Prof. Riyad
Yousif Hamzah affirmed that the joint cooperation maintained by UOB with UNDP
is one of the essential steps towards integrating sustainable development into
university education, and he stated: “UOB attaches great importance to
achieving and promoting the sustainable development goals, and the University
shall continue to include these goals in most of its scientific activities such
as the conferences and seminars it holds, in addition to the student projects
and activities organized by the University, in conformity of the National
University with government initiatives and directions.

For his part, Mr. Stefano Pettinato
said: “UNDP is pleased to sign the project document for the sustainable
development goals with our partner UOB and in the presence of representatives of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And through this cooperation, we hope to
consolidate and strengthen the principles of sustainable development among
university students, and to mainstream these principles among staff and
faculty.”.

Pettinato further stated: “Through
this cooperation, which will be based on the principles of innovation,
knowledge sharing and capacity development, the vision set by the University leadership
shall be further implemented, with the aim of achieving three general
objectives: First, to mainstream the principles of sustainable development among
students, faculty members and employees of UOB, secondly, establishing a unit
dedicated to the sustainable development goals; and thirdly, encouraging the
role of UOB as a stimulus for the advancement of sustainable development inside
and outside of Bahrain.

“The World Human Development
Report issued by UNDP for the year 2019, which was published recently, assumes
that higher education institutions play a major role in achieving equality and
overcoming differences, driven significantly by digital transformation and
climate change, and providing opportunities for a better and more sustainable
future for societies. In realizing how schools, universities and the education
sector play a major role in contributing to the achievement of the sustainable
development goals, we shall bring those principles to Bahrain and we trust that
this project will help UOB cover this role while the student body, faculty and
staff will learn, share ideas, and innovate in an inclusive environment”.

Furthermore, Pettinato added: “I
am confident that this cooperation between the UNDP and UOB, which relies on
ongoing initiatives between our institutions, will ultimately support UOB as a
supporter of sustainable development for everyone within the Kingdom of
Bahrain”.

The meeting was attended by the
joint working team of UOB, UNDP, and representatives from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.