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EUCLID, also called ''Pôle Universitaire Euclide'' or Euclid University, is an international
intergovernmental organization Globalization is social change associated with increased connectivity among societies and their elements and the explosive evolution of transportation and telecommunication Telecommunication is the transmission of information by various typ ...
with a university charter established in 2008. It has official headquarters in
The Gambia The Gambia,, ff, Gammbi, ar, غامبيا officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland AfricaHoare, Ben. (2002) ''The Kingfisher A-Z Encyclopedia'', Kingfisher Publicatio ...
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 Winston Chandarbhan Dookeran (; born 24 June 1943) is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian politician and economist as well as international public official. Dookeran is the current Secretary-General of EUCLID, an intergovernmental institution of higher ...
.


History

EUCLID's origins are connected with the creation of a group of universities called "Euclid Consortium" by the
University of Bangui The University of Bangui (french: Université de Bangui) is a public university located in Bangui, Central African Republic. History Before independence in Oubangui-Chari (later to be called the Central African Republic), most students going on t ...
and the
University of N'Djamena The University of N'Djamena ( ar, جامعة انجامينا, french: Université de N'Djamena, UNDT) is the leading institution of higher education in Chad. It was created in 1971 as the University of Chad, and was renamed "University of N'Djam ...
in 2006. The project was administered by the International Organization for Sustainable Development, an international
non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...
headed by Syed Zahid Ali. 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. 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. 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.


Treaty information and legal status


United Nations treaty publication

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, The "Updated Framework Agreement" entered into force in September 2009. The agreements signed by the Gambia have been registered by the Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the United Nations in 2013 but are not yet published.


Participating states


Headquarters

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). 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. 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. Following the return of stability in the Central African Republic and the election of EUCLID's founding father and high steward
Faustin-Archange Touadéra Faustin-Archange Touadéra (; born 21 April 1957) is a Central African politician and academic who has been President of the Central African Republic since March 2016. He previously was Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from Janua ...
as president of the country in 2016, EUCLID signed an office sharing agreement with the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM). As of 2017, EUCLID maintains both headquarters locations and is registered in the
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
IAU The International Astronomical Union (IAU; french: link=yes, Union astronomique internationale, UAI) is a nongovernmental organisation with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects, including promoting astronomical research, outreach ...
World Higher Education Database under Central African Republic rather than Gambia.


Treaty-related domain and intellectual property rights

According to its constitutive text, EUCLID is defined as an having
international legal personality International legal personality (International juridical personality) is an important facet of international law that has developed throughout history as a means of international representation and capacity to contract and institute International l ...
and was granted a
.int The domain name int is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) in the Domain Name System of the Internet. Its name is derived from the word ''international'', characterizing its use for international organizations and treaty-related purposes. The ...
domain name under
IANA The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is a standards organization that oversees global IP address allocation, autonomous system number allocation, root zone management in the Domain Name System (DNS), media types, and other Interne ...
regulations. 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 The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, signed in Paris, France, on 20 March 1883, was one of the first intellectual property treaties. It established a Union for the protection of industrial property. The convention is ...
which is administered by the
World Intellectual Property Organization The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO; french: link=no, Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI)) is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN). Pursuant to the 1967 Convention Establishin ...
.


Schools and Academic programs

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


Joint degree programs

EUCLID signed in 2015 a joint degree program agreement with CAFRAD, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to public administration in Africa, serving 36 Member States. A similar joint degree program agreement was signed the COMESA Leather Product Institute. These agreements regulate the following programs: * MBA in Islamic Finance * MBA in Leather Commerce and Industry * Master's in International Public Administration


Special programs

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.


Organizational structure

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

*
Winston Dookeran Winston Chandarbhan Dookeran (; born 24 June 1943) is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian politician and economist as well as international public official. Dookeran is the current Secretary-General of EUCLID, an intergovernmental institution of higher ...
(Secretary-General, 2020–present) * Syed Zahid Ali (Secretary-General, 2008–2020) *
Juan Avila ''Juan'' is a given name, the Spanish and Manx versions of ''John''. It is very common in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking communities around the world and in the Philippines, and also (pronounced differently) in the Isle of Man. In Spanish, ...
, (Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations), High Steward since 2015 *
Faustin-Archange Touadéra Faustin-Archange Touadéra (; born 21 April 1957) is a Central African politician and academic who has been President of the Central African Republic since March 2016. He previously was Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from Janua ...
(President of the Central African Republic), High Steward since 2014


Former High Stewards

* Banny deBrum, (High Steward, 2009–2011) Ambassador of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands The Marshall Islands ( mh, Ṃajeḷ), officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands ( mh, Aolepān Aorōkin Ṃajeḷ),'' () is an independent island country and microstate near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the Internati ...
to the United States (2008-2011) *
Mohamed Toihiri Mohamed Toihiri (born 20 August 1955) was the Permanent Representative to the United Nations for Comoros, (also accredited as ambassador to the United States, Canada and Cuba) between 2007 and 2012. Outside of his ambassadorship, Toihiri is known ...
, (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 Burundi (, ), officially the Republic of Burundi ( rn, Repuburika y’Uburundi ; Swahili: ''Jamuhuri ya Burundi''; French: ''République du Burundi'' ), is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Gr ...
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

The EUCLID statutes mentions several "affiliated institutes": * International Organization for Sustainable Development (IOSD) * EUROSTATE University Institute * International Institute for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Diplomacy * Center for Ecological Desertification and Reforestation.


Cooperation with other intergovernmental bodies

EUCLID has signed agreements with or is a member of: * Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA), an affiliated institution of the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more people and having a particular purpose. The word is derived from ...
*
Economic Community of West African States The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS; also known as in French and Portuguese) is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa. Collectively, these countries comprise an area of , and in ...
* African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD) *
Islamic Development Bank The Islamic Development Bank ( ar, البنك الإسلامي للتنمية, abbreviated as IsDB) is a multilateral development finance institution that is focused on Islamic finance for infrastructure development and located in Jeddah, Saudi ...
(IsDB) * Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) *
International Anti-Corruption Academy The International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) is an international intergovernmental organization based in Laxenburg, Austria that teaches government officials and professionals about anti-corruption measures. Membership to the organization is, ...
(IACA)


Institutional memberships

* Academic Council on the United Nations Systems *
Association of African Universities The Association of African Universities (AAU) ( ar, اتحاد الجامعات الأفريقية, french: Association des universités africaines) is a university association of African universities based in Accra, Ghana. With member institution ...
*
Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific Association may refer to: *Club (organization), an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal * Trade association, an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry *Voluntary associati ...
(AUAP) *
International Anti-Corruption Academy The International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) is an international intergovernmental organization based in Laxenburg, Austria that teaches government officials and professionals about anti-corruption measures. Membership to the organization is, ...
(IACA) *
United Nations Academic Impact The United Nations Academic Impact, also known by its acronym UNAI, is a United Nations initiative to align institutions of higher education, scholarship and research with the United Nations and with each other. In the words of former United Nat ...
* GUNI (Global University Network for Innovation) *
United Nations Global Compact The United Nations Global Compact is a non-binding United Nations pact to encourage businesses and firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. The UN Global Compact is a princ ...
* PRME – United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education *
GRLI The Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative ''(GRLI)'' is a non-profit community of businesses as well as business schools and educational institutions. Based in Belgium, Brussels, its purpose is to catalyse the development of globally responsib ...
– Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative In his personal capacity, the EUCLID secretary general is a member of the
International Association of University Presidents The International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) is an association of university chief executives from higher education institutions around the world. The IAUP was founded in 1964 in Oxford. Membership is limited to those individuals w ...
.


UN Interfaith Harmony Week prize

In 2016, EUCLID coordinated a series of events for the United Nations
World Interfaith Harmony Week World Interfaith Harmony Week is a UN resolution for a worldwide week of interfaith harmony proposed in 2010 by King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan. The World Interfaith Harmony Week falls in the first week of February of every ...
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 Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein ( ar, عبدالله الثاني بن الحسين , translit=ʿAbd Allāh aṯ-ṯānī ibn al-Ḥusayn; born 30 January 1962) is King of Jordan, having ascended the throne on 7 February 1999. He is a member of t ...
.


Accreditation and recognition


Central African Republic as Headquarters State

The Permanent Delegation to UNESCO posted in 2016 its filing which includes EUCLID as "recognized / accredited". EUCLID is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education of Central African Republic as Headquarters State.


Gambia as Headquarters State

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". EUCLID holds institutional accreditation from the country's National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).


UN statement

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 5 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. The transfer was completed in September 2017.


Other participating states and Africa

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." Gambia and Timor-Leste 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. EUCLID is since June 2012 a member of the
Association of African Universities The Association of African Universities (AAU) ( ar, اتحاد الجامعات الأفريقية, french: Association des universités africaines) is a university association of African universities based in Accra, Ghana. With member institution ...
which requires its members to be accredited.


United States

EUCLID is not a US-based university and it not accredited by an organization recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education The United States Department of Education is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government. It began operating on May 4, 1980, having been created after the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was split into the Department ...
or
Council on Higher Education Accreditation The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for academic quality through accreditation in order ...
, but maintains an address in Washington, DC "exclusively used for appointments and meetings either with or by government-sponsored and government affiliated staff". 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)." 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. 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. 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 The Oregon Office of Degree Authorization (ODA) is a unit of the Office of Student Access and Completion, with responsibilities related to maintaining high standards in private higher education institutions in Oregon. ODA administers laws and pro ...
(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." 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.


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:EUCLID (Euclid University) Intergovernmental organizations established by treaty Organisations based in the Gambia Organisations based in the Central African Republic Educational institutions established in 2008 International universities Intergovernmental universities Schools of international relations Universities in the Central African Republic