UNESCO Facilitated Regional Science Event
The two-day hybrid summit celebrated achievements in the Arab Women in Science Co-Mentorship Programme.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Science — General
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The UNESCO Sudan Office hosted a two-day regional science event to foster professional cooperation. The summit also celebrated the first cycle of the Arab Women in Science Co-Mentorship Programme.
Why it matters
This event strengthened regional scientific collaboration and highlighted the ongoing contributions of women researchers. It served as a bridge between the successful completion of the initial mentorship cycle and the launch of the new program.
The hybrid event spanned a two-day period, coordinating participation between the UNESCO Sudan Office and the UNESCO Cairo Office. The programming specifically supported the transition into the 2026-2027 cycle of the Arab Women in Science Co-Mentorship Programme.
The players
UNESCO Sudan Office
This agency serves as the local branch of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Sudan.
UNESCO Cairo Office
This regional office oversees various educational and scientific initiatives across North Africa and the Arab states.
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
This regional educational institution specializes in maritime and technical training for students across the Arab world.
The details
Co-organized with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, the conference focused on professional development for scientific partners. Attendees explored new collaborative opportunities while recognizing the accomplishments of participants from the inaugural mentorship cohort.
Timeline
12 October 2026: The UNESCO Sudan Office facilitated stakeholder participation.
12-13 October 2026: The regional hybrid science event took place.
2026-2027: The second cycle of the mentorship programme is in progress.
The Big Picture
This regional summit centers on the Arab Women in Science Co-Mentorship Programme, an initiative designed to provide long-term career support for female scientists. It marks a significant shift toward institutionalizing collaborative networks across the Arab world.
The launch of the second cycle provides new professional development opportunities for women in STEM fields through 2027. Researchers and partners can utilize this network to access expanded cross-border cooperation on scientific projects.
The takeaway
The sustained success of this mentorship program underscores the growing emphasis on professional networking in global scientific advancement. Aspiring researchers are encouraged to track official UNESCO updates to identify future opportunities for inclusion in subsequent cohorts.
Further reading
For more on international initiatives, visit our Science — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UNESCO.
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