Measuring Impact of COVID-19 on the Socio-Ecological System of the Bay of Bengal
The marine fisheries sector constitutes a critical element for the economy of Bangladesh, a country where more than 17 million people work in this sector, comprising about 11% of the population. Fish plays a crucial role in the average food consumption and is an important source of protein. While within the marine fisheries sector, small-scale fisheries account for the biggest share of fish production, they are also one of the most vulnerable groups in the industry, facing a number of challenges -including poverty-, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.
University Research Team Develops High-Speed nanoPCR Technology to Diagnose COVID-19
During the initial wave of the COVID-19 global pandemic back in 2020, the Republic of Korea suffered from an explosive peak in cases. It provoked the necessity of quick, massive diagnosis tests and isolation means responding to the soaring infection numbers. To make a breakthrough that could alleviate the concerns of the authorities and also the population, it was inevitable to diminish the fatality rate by developing enhanced diagnostic capacities and isolating the infected individuals in the absence of vaccination.
UN Secretary-General Highlights Importance of Universities during the IAUP Triennial Conference
On 29 July 2021, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, highlighted during his message to the International Association of University Presidents Triennial Conference, the importance of institutions of higher education within the current global context. See the full text of the message, below:
The world is experiencing a challenge of enormous proportions - from the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the climate crisis. We have all been affected.
And yet, these crises have created opportunities to enhance our resilience, strengthen our solidarity, and showcase solutions through the diverse work of universities.
Recycling Paper Waste to Make Pencils: An Eco-Friendly Project by Engineering Students in India
Pencils, an ubiquitous tool around the world massively used by students, particularly those enrolled in primary and secondary education, are normally not the product of a recycling process. Yet, target 12.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls to “substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse”. In light of this, but also given the environmental impact of the production of wooden pencils, students from the Rajalakshmi Engineering College, a UNAI member institution in India, developed an innovative solution.
Medical Students in Kazakhstan Volunteer to Fight COVID-19 at the Forefront
During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kazakhstani healthcare system has been facing a number of challenges. One of the most acute problems at the peak of the crisis was the staffing of medical institutions. In this period, the integration of medical education and practical medicine should be especially noted. From day one, Astana Medical University, a UNAI member institution in Kazakhstan, has been actively involved by not dividing the educational process and direct assistance in the fight against the virus.
Promoting Employment by Connecting Students with Companies in the Russian Far East
In these uncertain times, many institutions of higher education are re-shaping traditional concepts of how they see themselves, to provide their students with not only theoretical but also practical knowledge and skills, useful for their future career prospects, to enhace their possibilities of getting a job after they finish their studies. This is even more challenging given the circumstances derived from the socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.
Refugees in Higher Education: Aliny Wa Sibomana, Rwanda – Canada
When you become a refugee – a person who has escaped from their own country for political, religious, or economic reasons or because of a war - they lose not only a home. You feel a part of your identity falling off, while the strong bonds built with friends and families back home are also lost along the way. You are suddenly placed in a new environment with no one to rely on. Just imagine how much courage it takes to rebuild your life from scratch.
To commemorate the World Refugee Day on 20 June, the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) has produced a series of podcasts and articles, bringing together stories of refugees from Afghanistan, Thailand/Myanmar, Nepal/Bhutan, Haiti and Rwanda.
COVID-19 and Youth: The Future of Work for Young People
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unequivocal impact on young people. An International Labour Organisation (ILO) study found that ‘the impact of the pandemic on young people [is] systematic, deep and disproportionate.’ Twenty-three per cent of young people aged 18-24 who were working pre-pandemic are now unemployed, and those who are working have reported reductions in hours and income. “Students’ perceptions of their future career prospects are bleak, with 40 per cent facing the future with uncertainty and 14 per cent with fear,” the report adds. Globally, young people are feeling more uncertain about what the future holds.
Ocean i3 as a Cross-Border Academic Community Committed to the Ocean
Every day we receive more information on pollution in the seas and oceans caused by the invasion of plastics. In fact, nobody can ignore the images of the massive slicks of plastic floating through the seas, which are even more distressing when they show animals surrounded by plastic bottles and other waste. The responsibility we feel towards the environment and the planet’s health as we watch these images can doubtlessly be used to boost commitment, implication and action from institutions of higher education.
Refugees in Higher Education: Donaldo Syllabe, Haiti – Brazil
When you become a refugee – a person who has escaped from their own country for political, religious, or economic reasons or because of a war – you lose not only a home. You feel a part of your identity falling off, while the strong bonds built with friends and families back home are also lost along the way. You are suddenly placed in a new environment with no one to rely on. Just imagine how much courage it takes to rebuild your life from scratch.
To commemorate the World Refugee Day on 20 June, the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) has produced a series of podcasts and articles, bringing together stories of refugees from Afghanistan, Thailand/Myanmar, Nepal/Bhutan, Haiti and Rwanda.
COVID-19 and Youth: COVID-19 and Employment
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unequivocal impact on young people. An International Labour Organisation (ILO) study found that ‘the impact of the pandemic on young people [is] systematic, deep and disproportionate.’ Twenty-three per cent of young people aged 18-24 who were working pre-pandemic are now unemployed, and those who are working have reported reductions in hours and income. “Students’ perceptions of their future career prospects are bleak, with 40 per cent facing the future with uncertainty and 14 per cent with fear,” the report adds. Globally, young people are feeling more uncertain about what the future holds.
Revisiting Gandhian Values in the Legacy of Mandela
18 July marks the Nelson Mandela International Day, designated in recognition of Mandela's dedication to the service of humanity, while acknowledging his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace. The article below is published as an academic and personal reflection within the framework of this international observance, aiming to highlight parallelisms in the struggles made by Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, and how Gandhian values influenced political developments in South Africa.
Developing Youth Skills for the Future: A Vision from Pakistan
World Youth Skills Day, celebrated every year on 15 July, is an opportunity to reflect on the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. The Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences - BUITEMS (Pakistan), United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG Hub for Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, is a core center of innovation to foster the targets of this Goal, in particular target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. In this article, experts from BUITEMS explore this issue from various angles and perspectives:
Refugees in Higher Education: Lok Darjee, Nepal – USA
When you become a refugee – a person who has escaped from their own country for political, religious, or economic reasons or because of a war – you lose not only a home. You feel a part of your identity falling off, while the strong bonds built with friends and families back home are also lost along the way. You are suddenly placed in a new environment with no one to rely on. Just imagine how much courage it takes to rebuild your life from scratch.
To commemorate the World Refugee Day on 20 June, the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) has produced a series of podcasts and articles, bringing together stories of refugees from Afghanistan, Thailand/Myanmar, Nepal/Bhutan, Haiti and Rwanda.
COVID-19 and Youth: COVID-19 and Learning
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unequivocal impact on young people. An International Labour Organisation (ILO) study found that “the impact of the pandemic on young people [is] systematic, deep and disproportionate.” Twenty-three per cent of young people aged 18-24 who were working pre-pandemic are now unemployed, and those who are working have reported reductions in hours and income. “Students’ perceptions of their future career prospects are bleak, with 40 per cent facing the future with uncertainty and 14 per cent with fear,” the report adds. Globally, young people are feeling more uncertain about what the future holds.