Two professors from Hamburg University to be seconded to UIL

On 21 December 2011 the President of Hamburg University and the Director of UIL signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their cooperation in research and training activities. This includes joint efforts in fundraising from national and international donors, as well as developing training modules and undertaking a feasibility study on a joint PhD programme with a focus on lifelong learning, literacy and adult education. In support of University programmes UIL will continue to provide resources such as its library and documentation centre to Hamburg students and to offer practical experience in educational research and related international cooperation through its capacity-building workshops as well as its internship programme.

Concretely, an outcome of the memorandum is that two professors will be seconded half-time to UIL for an initial period of three years. The secondment allows them to devote the research part of their working time entirely to UIL’s research and training programmes. Both the University President and the UIL Director expressed their conviction that this contribution of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to the Host Country Agreement between UNESCO and Germany will substantially support UIL’s overall mission, i.e. “to see that all forms of education and learning are recognised, valued and available for meeting the demands of individuals and communities throughout the world”.