Rotterdam, 29-30 October 2024 – The UNIHUBS project, a pioneering initiative under the Erasmus+ Programme, officially launched with its first in-person consortium meeting held at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. This two-day event brought together 30 participants from 12 partner institutions across three African countries—Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania—and three European institutions, marking a significant step forward in this collaborative journey to transform higher education.
Fostering Connections Between HEIs and Digital Innovation Ecosystems
The UNIHUBS project, coordinated by the Rotterdam School of Management, aims to strengthen the capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Africa and Europe to address the dynamic needs of the digital innovation labour market. By enhancing employability and integrating innovative educational practices, UNIHUBS seeks to bridge the skills gap and prepare graduates for thriving careers in the digital economy.
Highlights from the Kick-Off Event
The meeting opened with an inspiring keynote address from Evangelia (Gelly) Manousou of the Elliniko Anoikto Panepistimio, who shared valuable insights on human skills and employability. This sparked enriching discussions within the consortium on aligning education with market needs, setting a collaborative tone for the sessions that followed.
Key achievements from the kick-off meeting included:
- Project Management Plan: A comprehensive overview of the project’s framework and objectives was presented to align all partners.
- Quality Assurance & Risk Mitigation: Consortium members reviewed the quality and risk management plan to ensure robust project outcomes.
- Brand Identity & Website Updates: Final touches were approved on the project’s brand identity and website, reflecting the vision of UNIHUBS.
- Newsletter and Press Release: The consortium approved the first newsletter and press release to begin sharing project updates with wider audiences.
- Evaluation Strategy: The project’s evaluation strategy, rooted in empowerment evaluation, was introduced, setting a structured approach to assess progress.
- EU Skills Development Initiatives: Partners exchanged insights on current EU-funded projects, offering valuable resources for African institutions.
- Focus Group Co-Creation: Guides were collaboratively designed to support focus groups, examining skills mismatches and fostering collaboration between HEIs and digital innovation ecosystems.
- Future Planning: The consortium laid out plans for upcoming meetings and dissemination efforts to ensure continued engagement and impact.
A Special Celebration
During the meeting, the consortium celebrated a personal milestone as Konstantinos Fouskas from the University of Macedonia was promoted to Full Professor. His achievement was warmly acknowledged by all, adding a spirit of celebration to the collaborative environment.
Looking Forward
The UNIHUBS kick-off in Rotterdam underscored the importance of academic and institutional partnerships in building resilient educational frameworks that respond to evolving digital industry needs. This initial gathering was a testament to the commitment of each member institution to shape future-ready graduates and create meaningful connections between education and the labour market.
A special thanks to Marketa Geerts for her instrumental role in organizing this event. The insights and strategies gained during these two days set a strong foundation for the journey ahead, with endless possibilities for impactful collaborations and innovative solutions.
For more updates, stay tuned to the UNIHUBS website as we continue to explore new synergies that will drive digital transformation in higher education across continents.