Strategy, coordination, and institutional affairs

Message from THE vice Rector

“At the Office of the Rector, we aim to establish true partnerships based on trust and shared objectives to have a global impact and generate positive change. We place the values of IE University at the core of everything we do, and that is why we seek to build partnerships that have a strong innovative component, promote diversity, and are aligned with sustainable objectives like the 2030 Agenda. This approach is the reason behind having the United Nations as one of our key and most valuable partners.”

Jaime, Vice Rector, IE University

Manuel Muñiz
Manuel Muñiz

United Nations Partnership

In March 2021, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of IE University signed an agreement to jointly promote the co-development and use of new innovative and technological solutions for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This collaboration between the UN and IE responds to the call for innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships for the 2030 Agenda. It is not framed as a service provision contract but rather as a genuine partnership to co-assess, co-design and co-implement a series of initiatives that not only have a direct impact on society but also help further develop in-house capacities within the UN System.​

The Technical Secretariat of the partnership was assigned to the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and to the United Nations System Staff College. IE has also signed complementary agreements to collaborate on specific initiatives that count on the participation of practitioners from over 20 different UN bodies.

Structure

  • The development of new technological applications and services for social innovation.​
  • The creation of learning platforms and knowledge products.​
  • The provision of services of executive training and applied advice.​
  • The promotion of social entrepreneurship.​
  • The promotion of collaborations and alliances for the transfer and application of knowledge and technologies for sustainable development.

The program has been designed with the UNSSC to train young professionals who want to tackle the complex challenges associated with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN experts and practitioners from around 20 UN agencies participate in multiple courses and extracurricular activities, such as an immersion week for students in a UN mission. All graduating students receive an official certificate from IE University and another certificate from the UNSSC. The 4th edition of the program started this October.

This program prepares students for an international career in the public, private and non-profit sectors, with a focus on multidimensional, cross-border economic, political and social challenges. The curriculum encompasses the 5Ps defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. Since 2020, UN experts and practitioners have participated in courses, workshops, career events and extracurricular activities such as study trips, internships and special events. Students who demonstrate outstanding academic performances receive a complementary certificate from the UNSSC.

This program has been designed with the UNSSC for mid-to-senior-level professionals who need to expand their knowledge and skills to tackle complex issues associated with promoting sustainable social, economic and environmental development around the world. The first cohort will start in October 2023 and will bring together UN staff members and professionals from a broad spectrum of disciplines and institutions (tentatively targeting a 50-50 split). Faculty will incorporate top practitioners from the UN, and the curriculum has been designed around the UN 2.0-Quintet of Change, which defines the key technical skills for the transformation of the United Nations. The program enables students to participate in conferences, seminars, networking opportunities and capstone projects within the UN.

There are currently approximately 20 UN agencies and programs engaged in courses, workshops, career fairs, study trips, internships, capstone projects, research projects and special events in these two flagship programs​.

Nurturing its framework agreement, IE University has partnered with the United Nations Staff College to design, develop and deliver the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Brand Ambassadors Training Program.

A 2022-2023 initiative designed to strengthen Country Offices’ overall capacities in communications, partnerships, and resource mobilization.

A program that counts with UNFPA’s Country Representatives, Deputy Representatives and Assistant Representatives as primary target audience.

As part of the partnership with UNWTO, IE University has jointly developed the Tourism Online Academy and the organization of innovation challenges/venture days, applied research projects and specialized training courses.