What is UNESCO?
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized UN agency that promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication, working to build shared understanding and protect global heritage.
What is a UNESCO Chair?
A UNESCO Chair is a team led by a higher education or research institution that partners with UNESCO on a project to advance knowledge and practice in an area of common priority. There are currently some 1000 UNESCO Chairs worldwide with 29 in the United States.
What is UNITWIN?
UNITWIN Network is a partnership between UNESCO and a network of higher education or research institutions of a least three institutions in different countries, at least two of which must be located in the Global South, and which pool their competencies and resources around particular theme(s). There are currently some 45 UNITWIN Networks.
What is the UVU UNESCO Chair’s mission and where can I find it?
The UNESCO Chair at UVU on Al and Environmental Stewardship for Sustainable Futures advances the integration of artificial intelligence and sustainability in education to improve learning, empower faculty, and support student-led initiatives. Through collaboration with Global South partners and K-12 institutions, the Chair promotes environmental stewardship, intercultural dialogue, and the development of resilient, inclusive education systems that prepare learners for a sustainable future.
Visit our About Us page for all information related to UVU’s UNESCO Chair.
What is UVU UNESCO Chair’s Objectives?
What are the UVU UNESCO Chair’s Committees?
Committee on AI and Education – Dr. Yi Yin, Chair
Vision: The AI Committee supports the development of globally informed, equity focused
educational practices through the ethical use of our artificial
Committee on Environmental Stewardship – Dr. Hilaru Hungerford, Chair
Vision: The environmental stewardship committee promotes ecological education and
applied sustainability learning with an emphasis on internship international collaboration.
Committee on Sustainable Futures – Dr. Maritza Sotomayor, Chair
Vision: The sustainable futures committee guides the chair’s strategic direction,
with the focus on long term partnerships and global equity.
Who is who at the UVU UNESCO Chair?
Dr. Baldomero Lago, UNESCO Chair, Director
Dr. Maritza Sotomayor, UNESCO Chair, Associate Director
Dr. Adam Ogurlu, School of Education, Representative
Dr. Carl Canlas, Smith College of Engineering & Technology, Representative
Dr. Hilary Hungerford, College of Science, Representative
Dr. Yi Yin, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Representative
Dr. Cheung Chau, School of the Arts, Representative
Prof. Kevin McCarthy, College of Health & Public Services, Representative
Ms. Kaisë McLane, UVU UNESCO Chair Administrative Assistant
Dr. Kathren Brown, UVU Deputy Provost (Advisor)
Mr. Felipe Queipo, United Nations Advisory
Who to contact at the UVU UNESCO Chair?
Baldomero Lago – [email protected]
Maritza Sotomayor – [email protected]
Kaisë McLane – [email protected]
What is a UVU UNESCO Chair Project?
Projects under the UNESCO Chair on AI and Environmental Stewardship for Sustainable Futures at Utah Valley University are faculty-led initiatives developed in collaboration with partners across the Global South. These projects address real-world challenges through education, research, innovation, and community engagement, while actively enriching student learning through hands-on experiences, cross-cultural collaboration, and applied problem-solving. Each project supports the Chair’s mission by fostering inclusive development, advancing sustainability, and promoting ethical applications of technology. While diverse in scope and discipline, all projects are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and share a commitment to intercultural partnership and capacity building.
Who can establish a UVU UNESCO Chair Project?
Only Fulltime Faculty (Tenure Track, Lecturer or PRI)
Where can I establish a UVU UNESCO Chair Project?
All projects must be established in collaboration with the University, NGO, or Government Agency in a Global South country.
How do I establish a UVU UNESCO Chair Project?
To apply for a project, feel free to review the “Project Proposal Sample” and the “Project Rubric Example” found on the PROJECTS page of the UNESCO website.
When applying for a project, faculty must include a project description, an explanation of how this project aligns with the UVU UNESCO Chair mission and objectives, an explanation of how this project aligns with the 2030 Global Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, and an explanations of how this project proposal will benefit the Utah Community.
What is the approval process for a UVU UNESCO Chair Project?
Any FT faculty interested in applying for project, must complete the “Start a Project” application. One the project is submitted, the UVU UNESCO Chair will notify the department and the dean for approval. After departmental and dean approval, the project will be presented to the UVU UNESCO Chair Executive Board for final approval. This process may take 2 to 3 weeks. The Executive Board meets monthly on the second Friday of each month.
What is a GLOBAL FIELDWORK Experience?
Global Fieldwork is a short-term, hands-on learning opportunity for students enrolled in UVU courses taught on campus connected to an official UVU UNESCO Chair project. These experiences are tied to the course curriculum and offer students the chance to engage directly with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and communities in the Global South.
Does a UNESCO Chair project require you to conduct a GLOBAL FIELDWORK Experience?
No. Having a student global fieldwork experience included in the project enhances the collaboration and research of the project. We encourage faculty to conduct a Global Experience but it´s not necessary.
Can a UVU UNESCO Chair be integrated with a UVU Study Abroad?
Due to the mission, objectives and funding of a UVU UNESCO Chair project, it cannot be associated with a UVU Study Abroad program.
Can my UVU UNESCO Project carry academic credit?
The UVU UNESCO Project by itself cannot carry academic credit. Faculty may use a UVU UNESCO Global Fieldwork Experience as part of a class taught on campus which carries credit. When Fieldwork Experiences are used as a part of class, this opportunity must be optional to students in the classroom. Faculty cannot require students to participate in a Fieldwork Experience.
What are good items to take into consideration to have a UVU UNESCO Chair Project approved?
How can I obtain funding for a UVU UNESCO Chair project?
Upon completion of the proposal, the UNESCO Executive Board meets monthly and reviews each proposal. After the proposal is reviewed, if there are questions pertaining to the content, the committee will invite the candidate to attend the meeting. Once the project is approved, funding will be allocated.
What is the amount that I can request for funding?
Up to $2500,00 per faculty. These funds are earmarked exclusively for travel, lodging and ground transportation. We invite faculty to apply for additional funding through their department and school/college to cover per-diem or other additional expenses.
How about student funding for Global Fieldwork Experiences?
The UVU UNESCO Chair does not provide funding for students. Faculty should work with their own department and school or college to seek for funding to support students. School or College Development Directors should play a significant role to facilitate at least some travel funding for the students, or the student will need to pay out of pocket. It is intended that there be collaboration with UVU’s Institutional Advancement to seek for student opportunities for funding.
How is the funding allocated?
Once funding has been approved, the faculty traveling abroad will submit a Concur Request through the UVU Travel Office and will use their own department index number. Upon the completion and reconciliation of the trip, the UVU UNESCO Chair office will transfer the funds to the original department index.
Would I be able to use UVU UNESCO Chair’s funding for supplies?
Due to limited funds, we ask faculty to work directly with the department to seek for funding. We may consider offering funding for supplies is collaboration with departments, but this will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Are there any fees imposed to the faculty or students to conduct a UVU UNESCO Chair Project or Global Fieldwork Experience?
There are ZERO fees imposed by the UVU UNESCO Chair for project or Global Fieldwork Experiences. All programs, websites, registrations, marketing, and certificates, are offered to the faculty and students free of charge. The costs associated with programs are only those directly incurred by the experience itself.
Where should I begin if I want to travel on a UVU UNESCO Chair project?
Upon program approval, when traveling internationally, a Concur request must be submitted at least one month (4 weeks prior to the departure date and all UVU International Travel Guidelines apply to any UNESCO Chair Global Fieldwork experience. See guidelines on the Global website.
Which UVU policies apply when travel internationally?
What documents do I need to complete when traveling with Students?
When students are traveling with Faculty and/or Staff, the additional informational must be provided:
Request must reach the Office for Global Engagement 1 month (4 weeks) before departure.
All correspondence about international travel needs to be sent via email to [email protected].
What are some of the responsibilities for faculty who lead a Global Fieldwork Experience?
What are some student travel guidelines?
Do I need travel insurance?
All travelers will be registered and must carry UVU-approved GeoBlue Insurance.
If there is not a GeoBlue hospital or clinic nearby, faculty should determine beforehand which hospitals and clinics provide the highest quality professional care by calling GeoBlue and asking for recommendations. If there is not a GeoBlue-recommended medical facility or doctor near, faculty may simply visit the best-known and highest quality doctors of facilities in the area. Although they may not be GeoBlue-recommended, faculty can pay for any medical services rendered and be reimbursed by GeoBlue later. Faculty should obtain and keep all receipts so they can submit a reimbursement request to GeoBlue. Notify GeoBlue as soon as possible.
