USMF "Nicolae Testemitanu" to sign Memorandum of Understanding with UN Refugee Agency in teaching, research and community outreach

Chisinau, May 3 /MOLDPRES/ - The State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF) "Nicolae Testemitanu" will sign today a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in teaching, research and community outreach.

The event will be held today at 11:30 a.m.

The Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Rector of USMF "Nicolae Testemitanu" Emil Ceban and Bertrand Blanc, UNHCR Representative in the Republic of Moldova.

By signing the document, the university agrees to become UNHCR Sérgio Vieira de Mello Academic Chair, aiming to promote and disseminate international humanitarian law, human rights and refugee law, as well as to organize activities meant to integrate refugee issues into its academic curriculum and community services.

Thus, the parties will cooperate to develop academic courses and research focused on forced displacement, human rights and statelessness in medicine, inclusive education, collaboration and exchange of information and resources between refugee-hosting communities and refugees themselves, promoting social cohesion, inclusion and joint study.

At the same time, the university commits to develop at least three actions on teaching, research, community outreach (including facilitated admissions and scholarships) and advocacy, as set out in the De Mello Chairs Terms of Reference, and to submit an annual report to UNHCR on the activities carried out, according to the two-year work plan.

Under the collaboration with USMF "Nicolae Testemitanu", UNHCR aims to improve education and awareness on forced displacement and international refugee protection by supporting academic courses, research, advocacy and other academic activities that will focus on forced displacement.

As part of the partnership, the parties intend to organize at least one joint activity per year for the period of the agreement on issues to be agreed by both parties. UNHCR will provide support in fundraising for De Mello Chair projects, provided that the project is initially submitted for consideration.

Sergio Vieira de Mello Academic Chair (SVMC) is a partnership between UNHCR and universities/academic institutions committed to addressing forced displacement by engaging in research, teaching and community outreach activities. The SVMC network is currently established in 5 countries - Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.