Wolverhampton, United Kingdom — 12 August 2026
The International Diplomatic Union (IDU) and the University of Wolverhampton signed a formal partnership agreement in Wolverhampton on 12 August 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening the bridge between academic research and professional diplomatic practice.
The agreement was signed by Professor Suresh Renukappa, Professor of Sustainable Smart Innovation at the University of Wolverhampton, and H.E. Sadham D. Zarjahan, Chief Operating Officer of the International Diplomatic Union.
The partnership will support the IDU Diplomatic Excellence & Statecraft Programme, IDU’s flagship professional development initiative — a rigorous, competency-based training pathway delivered across three sequential levels. The Programme addresses a critical gap in the professional development landscape: the absence of a standardised, high-calibre training pathway that bridges foundational diplomatic literacy with executive-level statecraft.
Beyond training delivery, IDU and the University of Wolverhampton will jointly produce policy briefs, working papers, and roundtable reports at the intersection of diplomacy, sustainability, and smart governance, contributing both to IDU’s policy output and to the University’s research profile.
The University of Wolverhampton is a higher education institution based in the West Midlands of the United Kingdom, with campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford. The University has more than 24,000 students taught in the UK and abroad, while its educational roots and commitment to providing opportunities for students extend back more than 190 years. The University also maintains international partnerships across Europe, China, Sri Lanka and other countries.
The agreement is established for an initial term of one year.
“As an alumnus of the University of Wolverhampton, it means a great deal to me personally to sign this historic partnership today. This agreement brings together the academic excellence of my alma mater and the diplomatic mission of the IDU, and I am confident it will open new opportunities for our members, our students, and the wider diplomatic community,” said H.E. Sadham D. Zarjahan, Chief Operating Officer of the International Diplomatic Union.
