On 30 July 2025, a delegation from the Universidad Nacional de Ciencias Dr. Humberto Fernández-Morán (UNC), led by its rector Gabriela Jiménez Ramírez, visited the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) and the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). UNESCO-ICHEI and UNC signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement on International Institute of Online Education (IIOE), underscoring a shared commitment to advancing higher education development in Venezuela and the Latin American region through international cooperation.

Group photo of attendees

Rector Gabriela Jiménez Ramírez shared that UNC was inaugurated by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in December 2024. UNC is committed to cultivating future science professionals equipped with capabilities in research, production, design, and technological application, while promoting interdisciplinary integration across science, technology, engineering, and the humanities. Its development strategy aligns closely with the priority areas set by the Venezuelan Ministry of Science and Technology and defined in the National Scientific, Technological and Innovation Plan. Rector Jiménez emphasised that the university prioritises international cooperation in science, technology and education as fundamental pillars of sustainable development.

Gabriela Jiménez Ramírez, Rector of UNC

Professor HONG Wei, Director of SUSTech Global and Professor in the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, introduced SUSTech's efforts to advance cutting-edge research, promote excellence in education, and foster global partnerships. He expressed interest in exploring collaboration between SUSTech and UNC through student and scholar exchanges, as well as joint research in key areas of mutual interest, such as climate change and technological advancement, to promote the collaborative development of global higher education.

Professor HONG Wei, Director of SUSTech Global and Professor in the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering

Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, highlighted that the partnership with UNC represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the localised implementation of the IIOE training programmes in Venezuela. This collaboration will help enhance the digital and AI skills of higher education professionals across the country. She underscored that projects and activities such as the IIOE "AI+discipline" course series and the high-level regional policy dialogues will inject new momentum into faculty capacity building in the region and contribute to cultivating future-ready talent. Mr. SIT Fung, Assistant Director and Chief of IIOE Management Centre, and Mr. CAO Zian, Chief of the Global Partnership and Programme Office (GPPO), elaborated on UNESCO-ICHEI's work on fostering an inclusive, dynamic, and resilient higher education ecosystem worldwide.

Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI	Mr. SIT Fung, Assistant Director & Chief of IIOE Management Centre at UNESCO-ICHEI	Mr. CAO Zian, Chief of GPPO at UNESCO-ICHEI

The signing of the IIOE Cooperation Framework Agreement establishes a strong foundation for joint training programmes between UNESCO-ICHEI and UNC. Through collaboration in various fields, the two parties aim to enhance the AI capabilities of university faculty and students, contributing to the digital transformation of higher education in Venezuela. The agreement also marks the official inclusion of UNC into the IIOE global partner network, enhancing its international presence while creating new avenues for UNESCO-ICHEI to broaden its outreach and engagement in Latin America. 

IIOE Cooperation Framework Agreement signing between UNESCO-ICHEI and UNC

Currently, the IIOE global partner network spans more than 120 higher education institutions across over 40 countries, including Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV). UNESCO-ICHEI has been working with UCV to co-develop Spanish-language AI micro-certification courses and implement faculty training programmes, with the goal of empowering 3,000 teachers. Building on this collaboration, the inclusion of UNC will further enrich the IIOE ecosystem with valuable development experience and innovative perspectives from the Latin American region.

About Universidad Nacional de Ciencias Dr. Humberto Fernández-Morán (UNC)

Universidad Nacional de Ciencias Dr. Humberto Fernández-Morán (UNC) is a national research-oriented university in Venezuela, officially established in December 2024. Inaugurated by President Nicolás Maduro, UNC carries the important mission of advancing the country's scientific and technological innovation. UNC offers 16 programmes, including Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Biotechnology, and Data Science. UNC is committed to cultivating professionals with innovation, historical awareness, and a strong sense of social engagement, aiming to promote knowledge production, innovative services, and scientific and technological development in Venezuela.