A new Unesco Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability is to be jointly hosted by the University of Malta and the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Canada.It will work to establish and expand academic and research programmes on small island developing States (SIDS) and sub-national island jurisdictions (SNIJs), promoting them as innovative, entrepreneurial and connected, rather than vulnerable and isolated.

The chair will be co-held by Godfrey Baldacchino, professor of sociology and pro-rector for international development at the University of Malta and an Island Studies Teaching Fellow at UPEI, and James Randall, a social geographer and coordinator of UPEI’s MA in Island Studies (MAIS) programme.

Prof. Baldacchino said: “Both the University of Malta and UPEI have made huge investments in island studies over almost four decades and have developed a world-class and world renowned reputation and expertise as a result.

“The Unesco chair is a natural transition which now allows us to take the game to the next level: whether in public engagement, cutting edge scholarship and research funding.”

University rector Alfred Vella said: “It is edifying to see the strong relationship between UPEI and the University cemented with this Unesco chair appointment: a first for both our institutions. In this way, our respective expertise in the study of islands and small jurisdictions is better recognised.

“I look forward to an even stronger island studies programme, driven by the competitive advantage our two institutions enjoy in this field.”

There are about 700 Unesco chairs around the world and this is the first to be hosted in both Malta and Canada’s Atlantic coast. This chair was created through the UNITWIN/Unesco Chairs Programme, which promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work. The programme supports the establishment of Unesco chairs and UNITWIN networks in areas such as education, the natural and social sciences, culture and communication.

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