The UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education (IISTEM) was inaugurated in Shanghai on Sept 21. This marks the first UNESCO Category 1 Center in China, the first in the Asia-Pacific region, and the 10th worldwide, firmly placing Shanghai on the global education map.

What the institute will do

The new institute will focus on strengthening STEM education — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — across all stages of learning, from early childhood to adulthood. The institute aims to promote inclusive, equitable, relevant, and high-quality STEM education for all learners.

As a UNESCO Category 1 Center, IISTEM will conduct research, pilot innovative teaching practices, support teacher training, build international networks of experts, and monitor global progress in STEM education.

Why this matters for expats in Shanghai

For Shanghai's international community, the institute carries special significance. Its establishment is expected to attract more global organizations and enterprises to the city. IISTEM will foster exchanges of Chinese and foreign experience in STEM education and serve as a center for international best practices.

For expatriate families, educators, and professionals, this translates into closer access to world-class educational resources, more opportunities for collaboration, and greater confidence in Shanghai as a place to live and learn.

The institute represents a key step toward building Shanghai into an important global talent and innovation hub. It will function as a network platform, resource base, and capacity-building center in STEM education.

Sources: Jiefang Daily, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Education