EuNIT: “European project desigN and management In the South MediTerranean region”

Context

The internationalisation of HEIs has been defined as a regional priority to improve the management and operation of HEIs in the South Mediterranean region for 2016. HEIs in, Jordan, Lebanon and Libya are eager to engage in international exchange and structured cooperation. However, the lack of expertise and human resources dedicated to internationalisation actions prevents them from developing projects and increasing their international standing. Yet, European programmes offer numerous possibilities for these institutions to participate in cooperation projects (Erasmus+, ENI, H2020). Furthermore, the level of exchange of experience and good practices between HEIs in these partner countries is relatively low. There is therefore an opportunity to stimulate South-South joint initiatives.

Philosophy and objectives

The Capacity Building project “European project desigN and management In the South MediTerranean region” is a joint project designed by the Euro-Mediterranean Universities Network TETHYS, Aix-Marseille University for a 3-year period. It aims to address the priority of the Internationalisation of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in countries in the South-Mediterranean region focusing on Lebanon, Jordan and Libya. The project’s wider objective is to enable South Mediterranean Partner Country HEIs to build durable international partnerships and maximise their internationalisation efforts.

It will develop a comprehensive training programme for 24 participants from 8 selected Partner Country HEIs with a total of 8 training of trainers sessions and 8 practical placements taking place in European universities in 2017. This will equip staff in Partner Country HEIs with the necessary skills to successfully set up and run an “EU project design and management unit” and hold internal training sessions within their HEIs. These training sessions will be developed into Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) accessible via the project website for staff from other HEIs in the region. The selected Partner Country HEIs will then set up a regional EuNIT network to promote the exchange of good practices, use of MOOCs and also offer training sessions for staff from other HEIs in the region in EU project design and management.

The project should lead to the increased participation of HEIs in the South Mediterranean in EU partnerships and initiatives.

Who are the partners?

Aix-Marseille University, France (coordinator)

University of Split, Croatia

University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, France

Mediterranean Universities Union (Unimed), Italy

University of Messina, Italy

Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

University of Barcelona, Spain

University of Santiago de Compostella, Spain

Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan

Yarmouk University, Jordan

Antonine University, Lebanon

University of Balamand, Lebanon

Saint Joseph University, Lebanon

Misurata University, Libya

University of Tripoli, Libya

Zawia University, Libya

The associated partners:  

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Jordan

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Lebanon,

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Libya

The Association of Arab Universities (AARU), Jordan

The Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA), Brussels

The County of Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, Croatia