UNU Rector and Expert Delegation Visit Mozambique to Discuss Twinning Strategy

Prof. Konrad Osterwalder, Rector of UNU: 

“Key to success of twinning initiative is the comprehension of partnership.”

A UNU delegation met with the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology (Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia, MCT) and the Rector Magnificus of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) from 1 until 4 May 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique. Main topics of the meeting were the progress on the twinning initiative of UNU in Africa and the organization of a second international scoping workshop on the UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) to be held 24-25 October 2011.

During their stay, strategic meetings and fruitful working sessions were held, involving high-ranking stakeholders to discuss legal and general issues underlying the process of establishing a twin institute of the soon to be inaugurated UNU-FLORES in Dresden. This new institute will concentrate on integrated management of material fluxes and of resources with a special focus on water, soil and waste management with the perspective to address other geo- and energy resource flows as the institute develops. 

Major Outcomes:

• Legal status of the twin of UNU-FLORES as an entity of UNU was clarified
• Appointment of an establishment committee of the twin institute, as well as a scientific and organizing committee for the 2nd International Scoping Workshop
• Necessary items for feasibility report (list of study programmes and of partners in the region) identified
• Date for the 2nd International Scoping Workshop (24-25 October 2011) in Maputo was agreed
• Agreement on a general work plan towards the 2nd International Scoping Workshop and the establishment of the twin

UNU Twin Institute as Hub for Southern Africa

The Mozambican partners explained the challenges of science and technology development and of higher education in Mozambique, but also their vision for the future. The twin institute of UNU-FLORES is seen as opportunity to consolidate and strengthen the capacities of Mozambique and the region for research and teaching in the field of its research scope. Both MCT and UEM confirmed and stressed their commitment for the initiative. Several existing or recently established MSc programmes related to the topic of the twin were identified. It was proposed to compose a joint study programme with UNU-FLORES from suitable modules offered within these courses. Care will be taken to involve partners from neighbouring countries during the establishment process which starts now and will be finalized during the scoping workshop later this year. By so doing the role of the twin institute as a hub for Southern Africa and even beyond will be emphasized.

In the meetings present were the Honourable Minister Prof. Massingue, Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT), H.E. Ambassador Dos Santos, the Rector of UNU, the Rector and Vice-Rector of UEM, as well as various further deans, directors and professors of UEM.

Background

UNU-FLORES is about to be established in Dresden, Germany, in cooperation with TU Dresden. It will be funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Saxon State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Fine Arts (SMWK).

In view of the twinning strategy of UNU, Mozambique was identified as a suitable host of a second campus of UNU-FLORES. Both the government of Mozambique and the leading university, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, confirmed their support and commitment for the initiative after the first international scoping workshop on UNU-FLORES held in November of 2010 in Dresden, Germany.