The University of Pretoria (UP) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO). This signing symbolises the continued partnership between UNESCO and the African Centre of Excellence for Information Ethics (ACEIE).

Since 2007, UNESCO, along with the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE), has had a successful collaborative relationship with the African Network of Information Ethics (ANIE). The Network was established in response to the Africa’s under-representation in the global discourse on information ethics (IE). It endeavoured to increase African participation by furthering academic research and publishing, and educating key sectors of industry in IE. ANIE has entered into partnerships with the national Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), UNESCO and a number of local, regional and international universities. The DTPS signed a MoA with the University of Pretoria to establish the African Centre for Excellence in Information Ethics (ACEIE) through ANIE.

The University, represented by the Dean of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT) Prof Sunil Maharaj said of the initiative: As we go in life we cannot stop change. Change is innovative but what we need to do is manage the change. I think a programme like this with UNESCO is a very great initiative because its managing processes that we need to engage with the society at large. ‘It’s putting a solid foundation on the table but we need to pick up tempo on this. And I’m hoping that through this partnership and with DTPS we can really pick up the tempo on this, and I’m glad DTPS is seeing the value proposition in this and supporting this.'