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Euclid University

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EUCLID, also called Pôle Universitaire Euclide or Euclid University, is an international intergovernmental organization with a university charter established in 2008. It has official headquarters in The Gambia and in the Central African Republic, but also maintains an executive office in Washington, D.C. Its primary mandate is to train officials for its participating states, but its programs are also offered to the general public. The institution's current secretary-general is Winston Dookeran.

EUCLID
(Euclid University, Pôle Universitaire Euclide)
Logo of EUCLID (Euclid University, Pôle Universitaire Euclide)
Logo
HeadquartersGambia (2013-current) and Central African Republic (2011-current) and Belgium (temporary until 2011)
Working languagesEnglish
French
Membership12 Participating States
Leaders
• Secretary-General
Trinidad and Tobago Winston Dookeran
• Deputy-Secretary-General
Netherlands Robin van Puyenbroeck
• Oversight Council Chair
United States Laurent Cleenewerck
• High Steward (Historic)
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra
• Founding Executive President (First Secretary-General)
Pakistan Syed Zahid Ali
Establishment
• Entry into force of Open Memorandum of Understanding I-49006
2008
Website
www.euclid.int

History

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EUCLID's origins are connected with the creation of a group of universities called "Euclid Consortium" by the University of Bangui and the University of N'Djamena in 2006. The project was administered by the International Organization for Sustainable Development, an international non-governmental organization headed by Syed Zahid Ali.[1] First conceived as an international extension for the University of Bangui, "Euclid" was redefined and constituted and a distinct institution in 2008 by an intergovernmental convention. The same year, the rector of the University of Bangui, Faustin-Archange Touadera was appointed as prime minister, and signed the convention formalizing his country's participation in EUCLID in 2010.[2] In January 2008, Syed Zahid Ali, acting as Secretary-General of IOSD, presented to various government representative attending a conference of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry a new legal framework called EUCLID Phase 2.[3][4] Soon after, several governments interested in using the Euclid programs to train their own staff approved the statutes of the new international university which entered into force in April 2008.[5]

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United Nations treaty publication

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According to the United Nations Treaty Series records, the EUCLID Open Memorandum of Understanding is classified as a "multilateral treaty" and entered into force in April 2008.[6] The "Updated Framework Agreement" entered into force in September 2009.[7] The agreements signed by the Gambia were registered by the Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the United Nations in 2013.[8]

Participating states

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Country Joined Signatory name Signatory position Comment
  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2008 Girlyn Miguel Minister of Education With treaty registration
  Sierra Leone, Republic of 2008 Zainab Bangura Minister of Foreign Affairs With treaty registration
  Eritrea, State of 2008 Osman Saleh Minister of Foreign Affairs With treaty registration
  Uganda, Republic of 2008 Sam Kutesa Minister of Foreign Affairs No treaty registration
  Vanuatu, Republic of 2008 Bakoa Kaltongga Minister of Foreign Affairs No treaty registration
  Senegal, Republic of 2009 Abdoulaye Faye Minister to the President With treaty registration
  Benin, Republic of 2009 Paulin Djakpo Director of Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs No treaty registration
  Comoros, Union of 2009 Mohamed Toihiri Permanent Representative to United Nations With treaty registration
  Burundi, Republic of 2010 Augustin Nsanze Minister of Foreign Affairs With treaty registration
  Central African Republic 2010 Faustin Touadera Prime Minister With treaty registration, only signed 49007
  Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of 2011 Joao Cancio Freitas Minister of Education With treaty registration
  Gambia, Republic of the 2012 Mamadou Tangara Minister of Education With treaty registration

Headquarters

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Euclid headquarters agreement signing

The initial 2008 agreement indicated that "The operational offices of EUCLID are allowed to remain in Brussels, Belgium and may be relocated or extended elsewhere upon recommendation of the Governing Board or by resolution of the Oversight Council" (Statutes II.3).[9] In 2011, EUCLID signed a first headquarters agreement with the Central African Republic and obtained office space in the prime minister's building and on the campus of the University of Bangui.[10] In 2013, owing to instability affecting Bangui and the Central African Republic, EUCLID signed a new headquarters agreement with the Republic of The Gambia, and leases offices in the Brusubi area of Banjul.[11][12] Following the return of stability in the Central African Republic and the election of EUCLID's founding father and high steward Faustin-Archange Touadéra as president of the country in 2016, EUCLID signed an office sharing agreement with the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM).[13] As of 2017, EUCLID maintains both headquarters locations and is registered in the UNESCO IAU World Higher Education Database under Central African Republic rather than Gambia.[14]

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EUCLID flag as registered with WIPO

According to its constitutive text, EUCLID is defined as having an international legal personality, and it was granted a .int domain name under IANA regulations.[15] As an "international intergovernmental organization", the institution also enjoys intellectual property protection under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property which is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization.[16][17]

Schools and academic programs

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EUCLID is organized in six academic units or schools:

School of Diplomacy and International Affairs

  • H. Tristram Engelhardt School of Global Health and Bioethics
  • School of Theology and Interfaith Studies
  • School of Global Economics and Development
  • School of Education, Language and Interpretation

EUCLID offers graduate programs in:

  • International Law and Treaty Law
  • Mediation and Conflict Resolution
  • Sustainable Development
  • Islamic Banking and Finance
  • Interreligious Dialogue
  • Climate and Energy Studies
  • International Public Health
  • Bioethics
  • International Organizations
  • Energy Studies
  • Comparative Christian Theology
  • Diplomacy and International Affairs
  • Eastern and Greek Orthodox Theology
  • Global Economics and Development
  • Interfaith Dialogue and Diplomacy
  • Renewable Energy Studies
  • Instructional Design and Open Learning
  • Catholic Studies
  • Sustainable Development and Diplomacy
  • Terrorism Studies and De-Radicalization
 
Eritrea LOT3 graduation ceremony 2012

Joint degree programs

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EUCLID signed in 2015 a joint degree program agreement with CAFRAD, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to public administration in Africa, serving 36 member states.[18] A similar joint degree program agreement was signed the COMESA Leather Product Institute.[19] These agreements regulate the following programs:

  • MBA in Islamic Finance
  • MBA in Leather Commerce and Industry
  • Master's in International Public Administration

Special programs

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EUCLID was also involved in delivering distance-learning programs to civil servants in cooperation with the Ministry of Education of Eritrea between 2008 and 2012.[20][21]

Further information: International Institute for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Diplomacy

Organizational structure

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EUCLID's structure is spelled out in the statutes considered as an annex to the published treaties. Its administrative organs are:

  • A governing board
  • A board of advisors
  • An executive board
  • An oversight council.

Secretaries-general and high stewards

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  • Winston Dookeran (Secretary-General, 2020–present) (former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago)
  • Syed Zahid Ali (Secretary-General, 2008–2020)
  • Juan Avila, (Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations), High Steward since 2015
  • Faustin-Archange Touadéra (President of the Central African Republic), High Steward since 2014

Former high stewards

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  • Banny deBrum, (High Steward, 2009–2011) Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United States (2008-2011)[22]
  • Mohamed Toihiri, (High Steward, 2011–2012) Ambassador of the Union of the Comoros to the United States (2011-current)
  • Hermenegilde Niyonzima, (Institutional High Steward, 2012–present) Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to the United Nations (2012-2014)
  • Roubani Kaambi, (Diplomatic High Steward, 2012–2014) Ambassador of the Union of the Comoros to the United States and United Nations (2012-current)

Affiliated institutes

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The EUCLID statutes mentions several "affiliated institutes":

Cooperation with other intergovernmental bodies

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EUCLID has signed agreements with or is a member of:

EUCLID was approved as an intergovernmental observed in the UNFCCC Climate Conference starting with COP28 in Dubai.[29]

Institutional memberships

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In his personal capacity, the EUCLID secretary general is a member of the International Association of University Presidents.[39]

UN Interfaith Harmony Week prize

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In 2016, EUCLID coordinated a series of events for the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week and was awarded first prize by the jury, with a gold medal to be presented to the EUCLID delegation in April 2016 by King Abdullah II of Jordan.[40]

Accreditation and recognition

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Central African Republic as headquarters state

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EUCLID signed its initial headquarters agreement with the Central African Republic in 2011 which was updated with an additional protocol in 2018. The Permanent Delegation to UNESCO posted in 2016 its filing which includes EUCLID as "recognized / accredited".[41] EUCLID is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education of Central African Republic as its historic headquarters state.[42]

Gambia as headquarters state

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The National UNESCO Commission of Gambia posted in 2014 its "UNESCO Portal to Recognized Higher Education Institutions" documents which now include EUCLID (Euclid University) as "recognized / accredited".[43] EUCLID holds institutional accreditation from the country's National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).[44]

UN statement

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The Permanent Mission of the Central African Republic to the United Nations wrote to the UN Secretariat in October 2012 to complain that the world's five international universities were not included in the UN Inspira database. In December 2012, the United Nations replied that "both IAU/UNESCO and the UN Secretariat recognize Euclide- Pole Universitaire Euclide and the other four UN institutions ... as being accredited" in spite of not being included in Inspira. The UN also indicated that these institutions which are "regional or global in nature" would be included under their headquarters states in future editions of the IAU WHED database used by the United Nations.[45] The transfer was completed in September 2017.

Other participating states and Africa

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The 2008 intergovernmental agreement states in its Article I that "EUCLID is chartered to confer diplomas, degrees and completion certificates accredited by the ministries of Education of the Participating Parties."[46] Gambia[47] and Timor-Leste[48] indicate that the degrees issued by EUCLID upon completion of the required coursework will be legally valid for use in the country by the graduates. According to the Permanent Mission of the Central African Republic to the United Nations, the UNESCO Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in the African States applies to EUCLID with effect in the 22 ratifying States.[49][50] EUCLID is since June 2012 a member of the Association of African Universities[51] which requires its members to be accredited.[52]

United States

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EUCLID is not a US-based university and it not accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Accreditation, but maintains an address in Washington, DC "exclusively used for appointments and meetings either with or by government-sponsored and government affiliated staff".[53] The letters sent in 2012 by the governments of Burundi, Central African Republic and Comoros to the US Department of State describe the institution as being "duly chartered to confer degrees by its Participating States and enjoys full academic accreditation according to its constitutive mandate under international law (Article I)."[54] Between 2008 and 2010, the state of Maine formerly listed "Euclid University" as an unaccredited institution. Maine removed the school from its list after receiving correspondence from EUCLID.[55][56] Michigan published until 2012 a list of non-CHEA recognized universities whose graduates could not use their degree for public service employment, a list that included both "Euclid University" and the "United Nations University". Following an exchange of letters with EUCLID, Michigan ceased maintaining a list of institutions lacking CHEA recognition, but advises that EUCLID graduates and all graduates from non-CHEA recognized universities applying for jobs with the State of Michigan must demonstrate that their degrees are equivalent to studies at a similar school accredited by a CHEA-recognized accrediting body.[57][58] In December 2013, following a correspondence with EUCLID's legal counsel and two ambassadors to the United States, Oregon's attorney general's office wrote that the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization (ODA) had stopped maintaining and publishing its list of unrecognized universities. Regarding "Euclid University", the ODA had since 2008 posted the notice: "ODA is currently evaluating the present legal status of this entity."[59] The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board removed "Euclid University" from its list of "list of Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas" in October 2018.[60][61]

Notable alumni

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  • Asser Harb, Senior State Counsel, State Lawsuits Authority, Cairo, Egypt
  • Diego Gómez Pickering, author and former Mexican Ambassador to the United Kingdom
  • Felix Emeka Anyiam, data scientist and professor at the University of Port Harcourt
  • Hanna Simon, Ambassador of Eritrea to France and UNESCO
  • Supun Dilara Wijesinghe, Consultant Community Physician, Sri Lankan Ministry of Health
  • Reginald Vaughn Finley Sr., American skeptic, activist, and talk show host
  • George Zaid-Zammit, Ambassador of Malta to Kuwait
  • Francess Anderson, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Ghana

References

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  1. ^ "ACUNS Euclid University". Academic Council of the United Nations System. March 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  2. ^ "EUCLIDE et la République Centrafricaine". Permanent Mission of the Central African Republic. October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Second BWF | Iccibian". Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  4. ^ "News for January 2008". International Organization for Sustainable Development. January 2008. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  5. ^ "Intergovernmental body and ICCI partner fosters inter-religious dialogue and Islamic cooperation". Organization of Islamic Cooperation. August 2011.
  6. ^ "UNTC". United Nations.
  7. ^ "UNTC". United Nations.
  8. ^ "Note Verbale 247/2013 of the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations" (PDF). Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the United Nations. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ HQ Agreement
  11. ^ "EUCLID (Euclid University) - UNESCO : The Gambia National Commission : UNESCO : The Gambia National Commission". Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  12. ^ Amadou Jallow (28 June 2013), EUCLID to transfer headquarters to Gambia, Gambia Daily Observer, archived from the original on 17 September 2013, retrieved 19 July 2013
  13. ^ "From failed governance to building a new future: the case of the Central African Republic". academicimpact.un.org. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2 November 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  14. ^ "World Higher Education Database (WHED) Portal". whed.net.
  15. ^ IANA (1 June 2008), IANA – .INT Policy & Procedures, IANA
  16. ^ WIPO (1 June 2008), Article 6ter of the Paris Convention, WIPO
  17. ^ Institut Fédéral de la Propriété Intellectuelle (19 May 2010), Exécution de la loi fédérale du 15 décembre 1961 concernant la protection des noms et emblèmes de l'Organisation des Nations Unies et d'autres organisations intergouvernementales (PDF), The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation
  18. ^ http://www.cafrad.org/index.php/en/training/formation/46 [dead link‍]
  19. ^ "COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute - Euclid University". Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  20. ^ Shabait (1 July 2012), 58 civil servants obtain bachelors and masters degrees on the basis of distance learning, WIPO, archived from the original on 19 August 2012, retrieved 17 August 2012
  21. ^ Shabait (1 July 2012), The LOT3 Project in Eritrea, EUCLID
  22. ^ "Ambassador from Marshall Islands: Who is Banny deBrum?". AllGov.
  23. ^ "OIC Journal Issue 18 English". ICCI. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  24. ^ "EUCLID ECOWAS Partnership and Scholarships". euclid.int.
  25. ^ Memorandum of Understanding
  26. ^ "Sponsors & Partners | Idb". idb-bpcompetition.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014.
  27. ^ Memorandum of Understanding
  28. ^ "Parties & Signatories". iaca.int. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  29. ^ https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/cp2023_03_adv.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  30. ^ "Category: Institutional Members". ACUNS. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Association of Africa Universities". Aau.org. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  32. ^ "AUAP Directory". Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific | AUAP.
  33. ^ "EUCLID University Joins IACA" (Press release). International Anti-Corruption Academy. 19 June 2019. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  34. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  35. ^ "Eight entities ratified as new GUNi Members during the Executive Committee Meeting, held in February – Global University Network for Innovation". Guninetwork.org. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  36. ^ "Academic Participants". Unglobalcompact.org. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  37. ^ "PRME - Participants - Signatories -". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  38. ^ "EUCLID University | The GRLI".
  39. ^ "Member List". Archived from the original on 4 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  40. ^ "HM King Abdullah II of Jordan Prize for WIHW 2016".
  41. ^ "Documents - la RCA à l'UNESCO". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  42. ^ "EUCLID University Accreditation and Recognition". euclid.int.
  43. ^ The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO (June 2013), UNESCO Portal Documents, The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO, archived from the original on 19 July 2016, retrieved 5 August 2016
  44. ^ https://naqaa.gm/. Retrieved 16 May 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  45. ^ Martha Helena Lopez, United Nations, Director, Strategic Planning and Staffing Division (10 December 2012). "Reply to letter with reference 0218/RCA/MP/ONU-12" (PDF). Permanent Mission of the Central African Republic to the United Nations official website.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ "Open Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Participating EUCLID Parties regarding their Participation in the Educational Framework defined herein" (PDF). EUCLID. March 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  47. ^ "EUCLID Instrument of Participation and Approval Government of The Gambia" (PDF). EUCLID. July 2012.
  48. ^ "EUCLID Instrument of Participation and Approval Government of Timor-Leste" (PDF). EUCLID. May 2011.
  49. ^ "EUCLIDE ("Euclid University") et la RCA". Permanent Mission Central African Republic. July 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  50. ^ "UNESCO | Education – Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education". Archived from the original on 26 February 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  51. ^ "EUCLID News and Events". euclid.int.
  52. ^ "Introduction | Association of African Universities". Archived from the original on 4 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  53. ^ "EUCLID University Washington DC office". euclid.int.
  54. ^ "Re: Transmission of Documents Regarding Euclide and Graduates" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  55. ^ Wanda Monthey (28 July 2010). "Copy of Official Email Communication, State of Maine" (PDF). EUCLID University website.
  56. ^ "Maine DOE – Higher Education". Maine.gov. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  57. ^ John Gnodtke, General Counsel of Michigan Civil Service Commission (26 February 2012). "Re: Transmission of Legal Document by email and fax" (PDF). EUCLID University website.
  58. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  59. ^ "Unauthorized Schools and Invalid Degrees | Office of Degree Authorization | Oregon Student Access Commission". Archived from the original on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  60. ^ EUCLID. "EUCLID Legal Affairs and Enforcement". Euclid.int. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  61. ^ TBECB. "THECB Resources". THECB. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
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13°24′23″N 16°43′38″W / 13.4065°N 16.7271°W / 13.4065; -16.7271

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