UNESCO establishes institute for STEM education in Shanghai

UNESCO announced to establishment of UNESCO IISTEM, an institute for international STEM education, in Shanghai at a session held in Paris on Thursday local time, marking the unprecedented settlement of a Category 1 Institute of UNESCO in China.

At the session, representatives from member states appreciated China for its proposal to establish such a center in Shanghai, which showed strong support for UNESCO and will be crucial for the world to address the challenges posed by the new sci-tech revolution.

Huai Jinpeng, head of the Chinese delegation and Minister of Education said that China will earnestly support the secretariat of UNESCO in making preparations for the institute and promoting its early completion and operation. 

The new institute will bring together global wisdom and strength to push STEM education to a new level and make an important contribution to accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and building a better world, he said.

UNESCO IISTEM is part of UNESCO and the 10th Category 1 Institute established by UNESCO around the world. It is also the first Category 1 Institute of UNESCO outside Europe and the United States.

Its main functions are to promote inclusive, equitable, suitable and quality education for all in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at all stages from early childhood to adulthood, and to serve as a center for communication, networking, resources, and capacity building in STEM education. It will serve UNESCO's strategy and the needs of its member states and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda and world peace and development.