The United Nations University International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST; ; Portuguese: Instituto Internacional para Tecnologia de Programação da Universidade das Nações Unidas) was a United Nations University Research Training Centre based in Macau, China. History 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. The Macao authorities also supply the institute with its office premises, located in a heritage building Casa Silva Mendes, and subsidize fellow accommodation. 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. Recent history during the 2000–2010 decade 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). Administration 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) Center for Electronic Governance 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. Teaching The Center regularly organizes