Activities
The Kickoff Meeting of 3is: Impactful, Inclusive, Integrated Higher Education in Eastern Africa takes place in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 7th and 8th with partners from Spain, Greece, Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. During the meeting, hosted by Kenyatta University, all the presentations and discussions focus on implementing the project’s goals of internationalization, inclusivity, innovation, academic excellence, community engagement, industry involvement, and regional integration. The event showcases the power of collective action in fostering positive change and sets the stage for partners to share their visions, strategies, and expertise to drive the project’s success.
2. “Internationalization” Event in Ethiopia
In this event, the project inducts and supports less experienced HEIs and other related smaller-scale actors with limited operational capacity in less accessible and faraway areas of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya to bridge the gap between them. It also supports other HEIs with more capacity and accessibility and who are more experienced in what concerns modernization about internationalization.
The purpose of this event is to produce policy reports and action plans for the participating universities to develop and start implementing their internationalization strategies, including the effective operation of internationalization offices, a scheme for staff and student international mobility, and a list of target partners with whom to develop future impactful projects.
3. “Inclusiveness of people with fewer opportunities” Event in Ethiopia
In this event, the project inducts and supports less experienced HEIs and other related smaller-scale actors with limited operational capacity in less accessible and faraway areas of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya to bridge the gap between them. It also supports other HEIs with more capacity and accessibility who are more experienced in what concerns modernization about the inclusiveness of people with fewer opportunities.
The purpose of this event is to produce policy reports on inclusiveness and action plans for inclusive education, equality, equity, non-discrimination, and the promotion of civic competencies in the study programs of each participating HEI in the partner countries, which will be tailored to the specificities of each community and regional setting.
The activities involve:
- the improved access to and delivery of educational programs for people with fewer opportunities;
- the introduction of digital technology and e-learning paths for vulnerable students and students with disabilities;
- the reduction of other types of barriers that disadvantaged groups face in accessing learning opportunities;
- the establishment of positive discrimination mechanisms and inclusive environments for empowering women and ethnic and religious minorities.
4. “Innovative Learning, Professional development of staff, and Academic Excellence” Event in Spain
In this event, the project inducts and supports less experienced HEIs and other related smaller-scale actors with limited operational capacity in less accessible and faraway areas of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya to bridge the gap between them. It also supports other HEIs with more capacity and accessibility and more experience in modernization about the development of staff and academic excellence of programs.
The purpose of the event is to produce policy reports and action plans for the participant universities to develop and start implementing the adoption of innovative learning schemes introduced with the project.
5. “Community and Industry embedding” Event in Kenya
In this event, the project inducts and supports less experienced HEIs and other related smaller-scale actors with limited operational capacity in less accessible and faraway areas of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya to bridge the gap between them. It also supports other HEIs with more capacity and accessibility and more experience in modernization about community and industry outreach and embedding.
This event aims to produce a Policy report and action plan for the effective integration at each partner university or key community, society, and labor market of their regions, fostering entrepreneurialism and enhancing the creation of social and economic value.
6. “A more integrated higher education system in the region” Event in Kenya
In this event, the project inducts and supports less experienced HEIs and other related smaller-scale actors with limited operational capacity in less accessible and faraway areas of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya to bridge the gap between them. It also supports other HEIs with more capacity and accessibility and more experience in modernization about regional integration of higher education and other types of cross-border collaboration.
The purpose of this event is to produce policy reports and action plans that set the basis for fostering regional cooperation in higher education across the neighboring countries of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya in Eastern Africa, involving mobility of students and staff, comparable recognition of diplomas, or joint international programs, which could also be mainstreamed to other policy areas that address the regional priorities in the Eastern African countries involved in the project, including the Green Deal, Digital Transformation; Migration and Mobility; Governance, peace, security, and human development; or Sustainable growth and jobs.
7. Closing Event
The project’s closing event marks the culmination of efforts to promote inclusivity, equality, and civic competencies within HEIs. Attendees, including university authorities, staff, student representatives, and representatives from ministries of education, industry, and community, convene to witness the project’s outcomes. The event serves as a platform to reflect on achievements, share insights, and strategize for future endeavors in fostering inclusive education and equitable opportunities within HEIs and beyond.
