UNESCO STEM education institute established in Shanghai

The United Nation's Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inaugurated an international institute for STEM education in east China's Shanghai on Sunday.

After nearly two years of preparation, the UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education (IISTEM), has been established as the 10th Category 1 Institute set up by UNESCO globally, and the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

Category 1 Institutes and Centers are institutionally and legally part of UNESCO and are considered an integral part of its programs and budget.

The new institute will focus on the promotion of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and interdisciplinary teaching innovations. It aims to foster student creativity and problem-solving abilities by organizing international collaborative research, building policy dialogue platforms, offering guidelines and recommendations, and conducting specialized training to advance STEM education worldwide.

The institute in China will help support the country to build a stronger education system and foster the integrated development of educational and scientific talents. It will also facilitate China's active participation in global STEM education governance and share its practical experience in STEM education with the world.