Vera G. Centeno has been awarded funding from the Finnish University Partnership for International Development (UniPID) to create and deliver a new online course for the UniPID Virtual Studies Catalogue. UniPID is a consortium of Finnish universities dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary education and research, fostering societal impact, and facilitating university partnerships in the realm of global sustainable development.
In this “Face Behind the Course” blog post, Vera shares the inspiration behind the course, stemming from her interest in the global-local nexus and her extensive work in international and comparative research. Her recent experiences in international development collaboration further fueled this endeavor. As part of the pilot project Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL), which involves 20 Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences supporting research-based education cooperation, Vera has established new networks and built research partnerships in African Portuguese-Speaking Countries. A significant outcome has been the development of transdisciplinary research addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that align with local priorities in education.
The course, titled “Global Policies and Local Challenges: Perspectives from the South” (5 ECTS), examines the complex interplay between global and local governance in public policies and addresses critical sustainable development issues, emphasizing local insights and perspectives. This transdisciplinary course provides an in-depth look at how global policies, such as the United Nations Agenda 2030, influence local realities in the Global South and explores the challenges that arise when implementing global policies at the local level. It also examines how policy transfer and international cooperation shape public policy and what lessons can be learned from various approaches to global-local challenges. The course features guest lectures and speakers from Africa, Brazil, and Europe, offering diverse perspectives and real-world experiences that address the intricacies of contemporary public policies and practices.
Course Details:
- Duration: 10.09.2024 – 3.12.2024
- Course code: EDU.505
- Learning methods and schedule: Synchronous and asynchronous online learning; mandatory live participation in at least two classes (Tuesdays, 16:00-18:00).
- Enrollment:
- All students have to register on the UniPID course webpage.
- TUNI students also need to enroll in Sisu.
- Students from other finnish universities also enroll via their universities’ internal system.
- International students register only via UniPid.
Check more details on the UniPID course webpage.