On 3 February 2015, UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education and eNANO company (RUSNANO Group) held a meeting and discussed the possibilities of joint development of educational programmes with the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and a new project “Virtual school”. The meeting concluded with the signing a Memorandum of Cooperation between UNESCO IITE and eNANO.
The Memorandum strengthens a long-term cooperation between UNESCO IITE and eNANO company and confirms their intentions to continue collaboration on development of modern educational programmes and projects with the use of up-to-date ICTs. The priority of cooperation between UNESCO IITE and eNANO сompany is given to design and implementation of online educational courses and distance education programmes, development of mobile learning technologies, expert support, analysis, elaboration of ICT competency standards for pedagogical staff based on UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers (UNESCO ICT-CFT), information support and joint scientific and practical events.
UNESCO IITE and eNANO company already have the experience of successful cooperation having jointly organized the series of open workshops “Ideas. Technology. Education” in the framework of the information and educational project “Open Lectorium”. The new joint project “Virtual School” is aimed to familiarize students with natural sciences and nanotechnologies, develop their skills and talents with the help of distance education, online resources and social networks. The “Virtual School” project will provide students with access to knowledge, online learning courses and educational games regardless of the geographic and social context. Thus, the project is completely aligned with the goal set by UNESCO in the sphere of education – to use ICT to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all.