INVEST TEAM PRESENTS KEY RESEARCH ON EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY ALLIANCES AT THE 12TH EURASIAN MULTIDISCIPLINARY FORUM
We are delighted to announce the active participation of two members from the INVEST team, Prof. Nicholas Samaras and Dr. Konstantinos Kokkinos, in the 12th Eurasian Multidisciplinary Forum held on September 21-22, 2022, at Grigol Robakidze University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Both papers presented were the results of the first phase of the INVEST project:
Paper 1: European Universities Best Practices: The Case of INVEST EU Alliance
Authors: Konstantinos Kokkinos, Nicholas Samaras, Omiros Iatrellis
Description: In this paper, we delve into the European Universities Initiative (EUI), which was established in 2018 to foster collaboration and integration among higher education institutions across Europe. Specifically, we highlight the role of the INVEST European University within the EUI as one of the 47 integrated alliances, endorsed by the European Commission. Our paper provides a comprehensive overview of the INVEST Joint Education Model, showcasing a range of excellent practices that position the alliance as a key player in the European educational landscape. We discuss various aspects, including quality assurance, unified pedagogical approaches, collaborative platforms, fellowship programs, eco-friendly digitalization, and innovative entrepreneurship processes, offering both recommendations and real-world examples.
Paper 2: INVEST Policy Recommendations for European University Alliances
Authors: Pantelis Ipsilantis, Konstantinos Kokkinos, Nicholas Samaras
Description: The European Universities Initiative (EUI) represents a significant policy initiative by the European Commission to advance higher education, research, and innovation. In this paper, we analyze the potential benefits and risks that EUI alliances might encounter, considering aspects such as internal coordination, conflict resolution methods, member universities' commitment, and cultural characteristics of the alliances. Using the INVEST EUI alliance as a comprehensive case study, we provide policy recommendations for the EU. Our analysis is based on interviews with key leadership and management roles within member universities, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of these alliances.
This participation was a remarkable opportunity to promote the European Universities concept and the INVEST University Alliance beyond the EU borders. In addition to presenting our papers, our team members also had the honor of chairing two sessions during the forum and engaging in fruitful discussions for future collaborations and initiatives.
We remain committed to advancing higher education, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the development of innovative educational paradigms that benefit our students and regional progress. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the INVEST Alliance as we continue our journey of excellence in education and research.