United Nations University International Institute for Software Technology

During 1987–1989, United Nations University conducted two studies regarding the need for a research and training centre for computing in the developing nations. The studies led to the decision of the Council of the UNU to establish in Macau the United Nations University International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST), which was founded on 12 March 1991 and opened its door in July 1992.[1][2] The Macao authorities also supply the institute with its office premises, located in a heritage building Casa Silva Mendes, and subsidize fellow accommodation.[3]

As part of the United Nations, the institute was to address the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare by international co-operation, research and advanced training in software technology.

UNU-IIST positions as both a university and an organ of United Nations.

Eventually, in 2015, UNU decided to evolve the former IIST into a new Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS).

The current director of UNU-CS is Dr. Jingbo Huang.

Former directors

• Prof. Michael L. Best (2015–2018)
• Prof. Peter Haddawy (2010–2015)
• Prof. Mike Reed (2005–2010)
• Prof. Zhou Chaochen (1997–2002)
• Prof. Dines Bjorner (1992–1997)

The Center for Electronic Governance at UNU-IIST is an International Center of Excellence on research and practice in Electronic Governance. Established in 2007, the center has been built upon the contribution of UNU-IIST to the eMacao Project (2004–2006) and eMacao Program (2007-now), a collaborative initiative to build and utilize a foundation for Electronic Government in Macao SAR. Since 2010, it has become an official programme of UNU-IIST.

The mission of the Center for Electronic Governance at UNU-IIST is to support governments in developing countries in strategic use of technology to transform the working of public organizations and their relationships with citizens, businesses, civil society, and with one another.

Activities at the Center include applied and policy research, capacity building and various forms of development – strategy development, software development, institutional development and development of communities of practice.

The Center, since July 2014, became United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), following the appointment and relocation from Macau to Guimarães of former members of the Center.[4]

• International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance
• Prof. He Jifeng, former Senior Research Fellow

• UNU-IIST Website
• United Nations University (UNU)
• United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE)
• United Nations University Office in Paris (UNU-OP)
• United Nations University Office in New York (UNU-ONY)
• Center for Electronic Governance at UNU-IIST
• International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance
• Center for Electronic Governance:
  • Publications
  • Projects:
    • Developing Electronic Governance in Afghanistan – Assessment, Strategy, Implementation – EGOV.AF
    • Developing Electronic Governance in Cameroon – Assessment, Strategy, Implementation – EGOV.CM
    • Evaluation of Electronic Government Training by EU-China Information Society Project
    • Government Enterprise Architecture Framework
    • Government Information Sharing
    • Knowledge Management for Electronic Governance
    • Capacity Building for Electronic Governance
    • IT Leadership and Coordination
  • Research:
    • Development Models and Frameworks
    • Assessment, Evaluation and Measurement
    • Strategies, Architectures and Alignment
    • Software Infrastructure and Services
    • Knowledge Management and Leadership
    • International Comparative Studies