Rotterdam, 29-30 October 2024 – The UNIHUBS project, a pioneering initiative under the Erasmus+ Programme, has officially launched with its first in-person consortium meeting at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.
C4DLab, the University of Nairobi’s main innovation hub, was represented by its Programmes Manager, Mr. Charles Katua. Mr. Katua’s presence added value to the event, and he gained valuable insights to guide the Lab’s engagement in the project.
This two-day gathering brought together 30 participants from 12 partner institutions across Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, and Europe, marking a crucial step in a collaborative journey to transform higher education.
Fostering Connections Between HEIs and Digital Innovation Ecosystems
Coordinated by the Rotterdam School of Management, the UNIHUBS project aims to bolster the capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Africa and Europe to meet the evolving needs of the digital innovation labor market by enhancing employability and integrating innovative educational practices.
Highlights from the Kick-Off Event
Key achievements from the meeting included:
- Project Management Plan: A detailed framework and objectives.
- Quality Assurance & Risk Mitigation: Reviewed plans for robust outcomes.
- Brand Identity & Website Updates: Final approvals on brand identity and website.
- Newsletter and Press Release: Approved the first newsletter and press release.
- Evaluation Strategy: Introduced a structured approach to assess progress.
- EU Skills Development Initiatives: Shared insights on current EU-funded projects.
- Focus Group Co-Creation: Designed guides for examining skills mismatches.
- Future Planning: Laid out plans for upcoming meetings and dissemination efforts.
A Special Celebration
The consortium celebrated Konstantinos Fouskas’s promotion to Full Professor from the University of Macedonia.
Expanding the Vision: Training, Co-Creation, and Hands-On Learning
The project includes training workshops, co-creation of educational material, experiential learning practices, and an international online course. Materials will be tested through pilot implementations and refined through an empowerment evaluation approach to ensure relevance and effectiveness. An elaborate dissemination and exploitation plan will ensure the sustainability of the project’s outcomes.
Objectives:
- Assessing the Needs and Challenges of HEIs: Identify and analyze specific needs and challenges.
- Modernizing HEI Curricula: Strengthen capacity to redesign and modernize courses.
- Strengthening International Networks: Enhance interactions and networking.
- Co-Creating a Future-Oriented Educational Package: Develop an innovative educational package.
- Providing Hands-On Learning Opportunities: Implement action-learning training modules.
- Influencing National Higher Education Strategies: Engage with authorities to influence strategies.
Project Partners
- Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- Stimmuli For Social Change (Greece)
- Kumasi Technical University (Ghana)
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (Ghana)
- Hapa Space from Ghana
- Kibabii University (Kenya)
- University of Nairobi (Kenya)
- Tanzania Commission For Science And Technology (Tanzania)
- Iringa University College of Trust (Tanzania)
- Mbeya University of Science & Technology (Tanzania)
- University of Mines and Technology (Ghana)
Looking Forward
The UNIHUBS kick-off in Rotterdam underscored the importance of academic and institutional partnerships in building resilient educational frameworks that respond to the evolving needs of the digital industry.
Special thanks go to Marketa Geerts (Project Manager for EU-Funded Research Projects and Grants, Rotterdam School of Management) for organizing the event. The strategies developed during the two days have laid a strong foundation for impactful collaborations and innovative solutions.
For more information and updates, visit the UNIHUBS website as the journey continues towards enhancing higher education through digital innovation globally.
UNIHUBS: Empowering Digital Innovation in Education
UNIHUBS is a consortium of 12 partners from 5 countries, dedicated to modernizing curricula and fostering collaboration between Africa and Europe to boost digital skills and entrepreneurship. The project is funded by the European Union.
By combining quantitative and qualitative research activities, UNIHUBS aims to identify labor market needs and innovation requirements, implementing targeted interventions to address these challenges.