On the occasion of #ErasmusDays 2020, a celebration of the Erasmus+ Programme in Europe and beyond, the Mediterranean University of Albania (UMSH), in cooperation with SCiDEV, hosted a get-together workshop for academics and students to share the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ Programme and its future development. Prof. Adrian Civici, Rector of UMSH, pointed out that Erasmus+ is one of the Programme with the highest impact and that universities should take full advantage of its opportunities. Nevila Xhindi, Director General for Institutional Cooperation and Project Development at UMSH, noted the contribution of the Erasmus+ Programme in the internationalization of higher education institutions and highlighted some of the upcoming Erasmus+ projects of UMSH both in terms of capacity building and mobility. Mrs. Ada Ramaj, Head of National Erasmus+ Office in Albania, appreciated the achievements of UMSH so far and urged universities and other organizations to strengthen their cooperation benefiting from Erasmus+. She also highlighted that the new Erasmus+ Programme (2021-2027) would also prioritize digital and blended learning, VET, marginalized communities, and issues of migration to respond to current challenges in Europe. Mrs. Mirela Muça, Director of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation, presented the opportunities offered by European Cooperation in Science and Technology – COST Actions – for Albanian academics and students. Dr. Blerjana Bino, Co-Founder of SCiDEV, emphasized Erasmus+ projects’ contribution in strengthening the collaboration between higher education and civil society within the Quadruple Helix model. She noted that SCiDEV is collaborating with various partners in various initiatives to reinforce cooperation among higher education, research, policy, business, civil society, and media.

You can find the full video of the online event here.