Applications are now open for the United Nations University Program on Digital Technology and Sustainable Development
Closing Date: 1 November 2025
Applications are now open for the United Nations University Program on Digital Technology and Sustainable Development
Overview
The United Nations University Program on Digital Technology and Sustainable Development (UNU-DTSD) is designed for young scholars currently enrolled in higher education institutions or in early career research positions. The UNU-DTSD Program is a unique program that builds on an intensive collaboration between UNU-MACAU (Macau), UNU-MERIT (Maastricht, The Netherlands) and UNU-EHS (Bonn, Germany). The program is designed for scholars currently enrolled in higher education institutions or in early career research positions.
Event Contact
For Chinese participants: Mrs. Min Wang, [email protected]
For Global participants: Dr. Mindel van de Laar, [email protected]
About the program
Inspired by the global digital and green transition, the program cultivates its participants’ strategic vision and leadership potential, to develop their research skills and knowledge to utilize digital technology to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program represents a truly multidisciplinary perspective– building on the Digitalisation and AI expertise of UNU-MACAU, the Public Policy, Innovation and Development focus of UNU-MERIT and the Sustainability knowledge of UNU-EHS. The combination of the three perspectives, brought to the participants via professors and researchers from all three UNU institutions during their visit of to the three universities in three countries, provides direct interaction and experience within the United Nations University.
The United Nations University Program on Digital Technology and Sustainable Development participants will receive support on professional career development, expand global competencies, and prepare for working within international organizations. In addition the programme includes several visits to UN and EU institutions, and a number of (optional) social events that allow the cohort of participants to network and engage outside of class.
Structure of the programme
The programme starts with a class day at UNU-MACAU in Macau. This session is hybrid, allowing Asian participants can join in person, and participants from other continents can join this session online. During this session, the UN system as well as the foundations of AI are explained.
During the weekend, participants travel to The Netherlands. This can be done in company of the coordinators, but participants can also choose to travel independent and use their weekend time in Amsterdam or another city in the Netherlands to their liking.
In Maastricht, at UNU-MERIT they zoom in on the use of AI for Public Policy – e.g labour market policy and the use of Monitoring and Evaluation to understand best practices and learn from implemented policies. Through lectures the basic knowledge is shared, and through interactive sessions UNU-DTSD Program build skills of cooperation, communication, software use, data use and presentation. During the sessions in Bonn at UNU-EHS the focus is on the use of AI to better handle Disaster Risk Management and Climate adaptation.
During the Saturday in Bonn, participants are free to spend their time as they see fit. Bonn is in the centre of Europe, and train connections bring participants in an hour to Cologne and a few hours to Berlin or Paris. Sunday the group travels back to Maastricht and is free to spend the day in the city. On Monday 9 February, the last day of the program, participants will present their group work.
Upon completion, results will be shared during the Certificate Ceremony.
Learning objectives
At the end of the programme, participants:
- Know the structure of the UN and its entitites
- Understand how Digitalisation and AI change societies
- Understand the basics of AI and are able to use it
- Have the ability to link the concept of Public Policy to Digitalisation and Sustainability reach development
- Experience working in a team and co-create solutions for global pressing issues,
- Complete a group work with the guidance of the UNU researchers and experts, and present that to the cohort and experts.
Admission requirements
The programme is open enrollment. The participant profile includes a global audience of students, with an interest in international topics related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students should be interested in research, or further study or work in international organizations. While UNU-DTSD Program prefer students with a master’s degree student PhD students, they also welcome undergraduate students with good understanding of research. Specific interest in Digitalisation, Sustainability and Public Policy is beneficial.
In order to be eligible for admission applicants have to submit:
- the completed enrolment application form.
- a copy of a valid passport or ID-card
- a CV
- a motivation letter
- a passport picture
- proof of enrollment at or proof of having obtained a degree a University of Applied Sciences / Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Scientific
- proof of meeting language requirement (minimum level equivalent to a 6.5 IELTS score)
The application deadline is 1 November for all participants. Upon confirmation of eligibility, participants are provided an eligibility letter, with request to pay the tuition fee.
Click Here To Apply
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