The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA) on the Sustainable Development Goals.

The MoU is to enable the university and the MPA to build on the comparative strengths of both institutions to engage in policy research, analysis and advocacy in the areas related to sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Promise Alliance, Nathaniel Ebo Nsarko explained, the collaboration will among other things facilitate the development of a curriculum framework to integrate all 17 SDGs.

He explained, essentially, that UEW will join forces with all other teacher training institutions, to facilitate the design and implementation of the SDG-based curriculum. This, he explains, is to promote transformative change among pupils and students in basic, high schools, institutions, including undergraduate and graduate teaching, professional training and adult education.

“The SDG-based curriculum will among others enable students across the country to explore the sustainable development goals in the context of their disciplines. In this way, the SDGs will be integrated into undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as graduate research training,” he emphasised.

The collaboration is expected to help students to structure courses around real-world collaborative projects for change, in which students will have the opportunities to act and reflect iteratively.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Rev Prof Anthony Afful-Broni was upbeat the MoU will support students to engage in national and global leadership programs for young people on the SDGs, such as SDSN youth.

He argued such collaboration with institutions and other organisations will open up the university to the global community.

As an SDSN hosting institution, UEW will provide office space and a secretariat within the university premises in Winneba to establish the chapter. In addition, the university will provide the necessary support to the SDSN secretariat. A detailed work plan is expected to be drafted to ascertain the initial priorities of the network. This will lead to smaller events, workshops and podium discussions with members, partners and networks to support the awareness of the Agenda 2030.