The eagerly awaited 2022 meeting of OBREAL’s European partners and members meeting took place this year in Tarragona (Spain). Following the resounding success of last year’s meeting in Cork (Ireland), hosted by University College Cork, the event brought together esteemed members, partners and experts from different regions. All united in their commitment to promote higher education cooperation and international projects.
Emphasising strategic vision
Under the able leadership of Elizabeth Colucci, Director of International Projects, the OBREAL’s Secretariat presented a strategic plan that charts the association’s course to 2025. The plan outlines the organisation’s overarching goals and objectives to promote sustainable development, inclusive education and research excellence across borders.
Showcasing inspiring projects
Throughout the 2022 meeting of OBREAL’s European partners and members, a number of inspiring case studies were shared. Through those, we highlighted the impact and importance of cross-regional collaboration.
Alfonso Marzal (Universidad de Extremadura) presented the Mimir Andino project, demonstrating how academic collaboration can address critical challenges in the Andean region. Maria Salomaa (Tampere University of Applied Sciences) presented the HERESA project. She showcased innovative approaches to improving the quality of higher education in Southern Africa. Joan Miquel Canals (Universitat Rovira i Virgili) shared insights into the transformative Vita Global project. A project which promotes modularisation, flexibility and internationalisation in higher education.
In addition, Hanif Mohammed introduced the Asian Institute of Design and the India Chapter of OBREAL, demonstrating the network’s truly interregional reach.
Strengthening through online learning
During the afternoon session, Elizabeth Colucci and Eloi Espósito presented OBREAL‘s Training Platform, a cutting edge online training tool. The platform will offer a wide range of resources and courses. The objective is to enable professionals to enhance their knowledge, skills and capacities in the field of higher education and internationalisation.
The platform’s initial offering includes an ongoing online course on the HAQAA initiative, aimed at participants from different backgrounds and regions.
Navigating funding opportunities
The meeting also covered various funding opportunities available to members and partners. We did so with a dedicated session led by OBREAL’s Finance Director, Agustina Calabrese, and Project Manager, Angel Manuel Rafael. Attendees gained valuable insights into accessing funding, including the prestigious Erasmus+ calls. We encouraged the development of new, impactful projects in the higher education landscape.
Looking ahead of the 2022 meeting of OBREAL’s European partners and members
The successful conclusion of the meeting signifies a renewed commitment among OBREAL members and partners. To foster international collaboration, share knowledge and drive positive change in higher education.
As OBREAL continues to evolve and expand, it remains steadfast in its mission to address interregional challenges through collective action and collaboration.
