China, UNESCO partnership to drive innovation, global resource sharing

STEM education is vital for humanity and essential to addressing major global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, health, energy, food systems and digital transformation, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany said recently in Shanghai, calling for joint efforts to advance inclusive and accessible STEM education globally.

El-Enany made the remarks on Thursday at a high-level symposium on STEM education held at the UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education, or UNESCO IISTEM, which formally began operations following the inaugural meeting of its governing board held on the same day.

READ MORE: China's first UNESCO Category 1 Center established in Shanghai

Unveiled in September in Shanghai, the Category I institute was established with a mandate to promote inclusive, equitable and quality education for all in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, from early childhood to adulthood.

El-Enany said the inauguration of the institute marks renewed momentum in the long-standing cooperation between China and UNESCO, a strong and comprehensive partnership spanning the full scope of the organization's mandate and networks.

He said the institute will provide high-level expertise across strategic fields, focusing on curriculum development, teacher capacity-building, lifelong learning, educational planning and policy support.

"Our collective prosperity, resilience and well-being depend on educated, creative and forward-looking minds capable of imagining and building solutions that do not yet exist. STEM education will only fulfill its promise if it is inclusive and accessible to all," El-Enany said.

He noted the many challenges affecting STEM education globally, including shortages of laboratories, equipment, connectivity and trained teachers. Many countries also lack the capacity to fully engage in scientific and technological innovation.

With the new institute, UNESCO aims to tap into vast potential and help bridge divides, especially in Africa and Small Island Developing States, or SIDS.

"With China's support, UNESCO is already leading a $3 million program to strengthen STEM education in both Africa and SIDS — including Mali, Uganda, Samoa and the Solomon Islands — with a focus on curriculum reform, teacher training and innovative learning resources," El-Enany said.

Calling the new institute a global hub serving all people, he urged greater efforts to bring science closer to classrooms, technology closer to teachers, and innovation closer to those who need it most.

John Michael Kosterlitz, a Nobel laureate in physics and honorary professor at Soochow University, also underscored the importance of the institute, saying that "humanity needs STEM" to contribute to society.

"STEM education is not only about producing more scientists and engineers. It is about cultivating a way of thinking … Humanity today faces serious challenges, and they require people who can cross boundaries, think clearly and act responsibly," he said.

Efim Zelmanov, a Russian-American mathematician and Fields Medal laureate who currently serves as chair professor at Southern University of Science and Technology, praised China's sustained efforts to promote STEM education.

"I find the support for mathematical and, more generally, STEM education in China breathtaking and amazing. It is the support at all levels of society. This is the reason why I moved to China in 2022 and have not regretted it for a second," he said.

ALSO READ: China ranks 2nd in STEM education

China is continuing its efforts to cultivate STEM talent and improve scientific literacy while working toward a shared future for humanity.

"To build a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous future for all, we must deepen global cooperation and urgently improve STEM education worldwide. This will empower everyone to benefit from technological advances and industrial transformation," said Ren Youqun, vice-minister of education and chairperson of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO.

China looks forward to working with UNESCO and all partners to develop the IISTEM into a laboratory for new STEM concepts and approaches, a global hub for policy dialogue and cooperation, an innovative platform for sharing high-quality STEM resources, and a key driver of capacity-building, especially in developing countries, Ren added.

Contact the writers at wangxin2@chinadaily.com.cn