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and a bridge between research, resource development and policy-making as well as between
academia, civil society, local communities and the productive sector.
5.1.2.6 UNESCO Chairs/ UNITWIN Network
The UNESCO Regional Bureau of Education has put special effort into the promotion of
networking of higher education institutions within the region across the board. This has included:
Promotion of the quality and sustainability of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN
(University Twinning and Networking Scheme) Networks (, which now number 40).
UNITWIN Awards received in the region have been as follows:
UNESCO Chair on Regional Use of Drugs, Public Health College, Chulalongkorn
University, Thailand;
UNESCO Chair in Metallurgical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand;
UNESCO Chair in Comparative Rural Sociology, Chubu University, Japan.
5.1.2.6.1 UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN program in World
In 1991, UNESCO General Conference in its 26th session adopted a resolution for the creation
of “University twinning and networking scheme, UNITWIN”, with main objectives to build the
capacities of higher education and research institutions through the exchange and sharing of
knowledge. UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs program is based upon the establishment of Chairs and
creation of UNITWIN networks in higher education institutions which are interested, the world
over. This helps to advance research and training; program development in higher education. It
also encourages inter-university cooperation through the transfer of knowledge across borders.
UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs program provides and promotes North-South, South-South and
South-North-South, triangular, cooperation in the development of institutions.
UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs program has proved an effective platform for the public and private
organization, foundations, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), higher education and
research community to cooperate, collaborate, co-ordinate and to work in partnership with the
others. The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Program is the demonstration of UNESCO‟s
commitment to the production, transfer and equitable sharing of knowledge and technology that
is resulting in enhanced cooperation and international cohesion at state and institutional levels
(Haddad, 2005). These programs focus on the training, research, and exchange of academics and