The International Project SHINE Started and the UNWE Is Its Coordinator

A team from the UNWE, led by the Vice-Rector for International Affairs Assoc. Dr. Dr. Yanko Hristozov, launched the implementation of the international project Strategic Approach to the Internationalization of Higher Education for East African Nations (SHINE) funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, field Capacity Building in Higher Education. Our university is the Coordinator of the project, which is implemented in partnership with universities and organizations from Europe and East Africa.

The main objective of the SHINE project is to contribute to improving the quality of higher education in East African countries through a strategic and sustainable approach to internationalization. The project aims to strengthen the managerial, administrative and academic capacity of partner universities to integrate an international, intercultural and global dimension into their educational, research and societal mission. The project is focused on the inclusive and equal internationalization, the development of an international culture in the university community and the use of digital tools for virtual international cooperation and joint online initiatives with students from Europe and Africa.

The project consortium includes the University of Sanio Benevento, Italy, as well as six higher education institutions from Africa – Kenyatta University and Taraka University in the Republic of Kenya, Kabale University and Soroti University in the Republic of Uganda, Upper Nile University and Bahr El Ghazal University in the Republic of South Sudan. A project partner is also the African Network for the Internationalization of Education /ANIE/ based in the Republic of Kenya, which provides expertise, analytical capacity and a wide network of academic and institutional contacts at continental level.

Within the three-year implementation period of the project, comprehensive institutional strategies for internationalization will be developed and implemented in compliance with the national and institutional context of each of the partner higher education institutions. The project envisages the creation and strengthening of specialized structures for internationalization, the establishment of intra-university networks of coordinators and experts, as well as the improvement of the qualification of academic and administrative staff through targeted trainings and exchange of good practices.

The participation of UNWE as Coordinator of the project strengthens the University`s role as a leading institution in the field of internationalization, higher education and as a reliable European partner in the implementation of strategic initiatives with a long-term impact on the development of higher education in an international context.