The Hague • 28 October 2025
Pharmacy education, science and research in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) are set to take a significant step forward with the launch of a new FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence today. This initiative, led by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in collaboration with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), aims to strengthen academic capacity, foster innovation and connect institutions across the region.
“Bringing together universities in the region, the centre will serve as a collaborative platform to advance education, science, training and research, while also supporting community engagement and knowledge exchange. By uniting expertise from across 22 countries, the centre is positioned to accelerate progress towards the FIP Development Goals, guided by the FIP-UNESCO regional roadmaps and the recently updated 2025 Strategic Roadmap for the EMR,” Prof. Mohamad Rahal, co-chair of the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence in the EMR.
The centre will prioritise initiatives such as advancing collaboration and leadership development, supporting context-sensitive competency-based education, promoting digital transformation and embedding emergency preparedness in pharmacy education and science, in line with the FIP-UNESCO agreement. These efforts will respond to the region’s specific needs while promoting global standards of excellence in pharmaceutical education.
“With the establishment of this fourth FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence, we continue to expand our global network supporting the transformation of pharmaceutical education through collaboration, innovation, and regional leadership. The Eastern Mediterranean region has a strong legacy of advancing pharmacy practice and education, and this centre will further unite institutions to strengthen academic capacity and drive equitable access to health care,” said FIP CEO Dr Catherine Duggan
Academic institutions in the region are invited to express their interest in becoming members of the new centre by contacting genuine@fip.org. FIP plans to establish centres of excellence in every WHO world region, making the Eastern Mediterranean launch another milestone in building a stronger, globally connected future for pharmacy education and science.
Notes for editors
More information about the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN programme is available here.
ABOUT FIP
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy educators, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through its 160 member organisations, it represents over four million practitioners and scientists around the world. www.fip.org
PRESS CONTACT
Laila Ghorab
Communications Manager
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Email laila@fip.org