UNESCO Chair
Council of Consultant Fellows
Dr. Denise Vaillant, Professor of Educational Policy in the School of Management and Social Sciences, was selected by theInternational Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)to serve onthe Council of Consultant Fellowsof UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) "for her track record in research and reflection on educational policies related to teaching."
Interview with Dr. Denise Vaillant, Professor of Educational Policy at the School of Management and Social Sciences.
Dr. Vaillant noted that, through the UNESCO Institute for International Education Planning (IIEP), the activities carried out by the Program for the Promotion of Educational Reform in Latin America and the Caribbean (GTD-PREAL) in collaboration with ORT University can reach an international audience of experts in the field of education.
What does it mean to be a member of UNESCO’s Council of Consultant Fellows?
This involves serving as a regular expert advisor to IIEP/UNESCO in a specific field of education policy. In my case, I specialize in issues related to teaching in basic education and teacher policies (training, professional development, evaluation, among others). IIEP/UNESCO draws onConsultant Fellowsfrom various regions of the world when conducting research and developing specific lines of work. The individuals who serve in this role are 24 internationally recognized specialists. The position, which is unpaid, lasts for two years.
What are the functions of this institute?
To assist member states in improving the quality and effectiveness of their education systems. The IIEP is a training and research center specializing in educational planning and management. It is an integral part of UNESCO, although it enjoys a high degree of autonomy. It was established in 1963 in Paris, France, and is funded through grants from UNESCO itself and voluntary contributions from member states and other entities.
What was the process that led to your selection as a consultant for the IIEP?
I was nominated to the IIEPGoverning Boardasa Consultant Fellowby the institute’s Director, Mark Bray, based on my track record of research and reflection on education policies related to teaching. The Board approved my nomination and formally appointed me in late April 2008.
How does ORT University's work contribute to its inclusion in the IIEP?
The work of the GTD-PREAL/ORT can benefit from this collaboration: the IIEP/UNESCO is a highly respected institution and a leading authority for those working to develop effective and innovative educational policies. At the same time, the activities carried out at ORT gain access to an international platform for sharing information among experts in the field of education.
Interview published in July 2008