The first ATHENA – African Universities event, which occurred from April 1st to 5th, 2024, witnessed the participation of 50 academics and administrators from 10 universities affiliated with the ATHENA European University Alliance and African universities from Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
Hosted by the Hellenic Mediterranean University, the conference deliberated on various topics, including the internationalization of African universities, addressing opportunities, challenges, and funding sources; collaborative ventures in the fields of Food Safety and Precise Agriculture, aligning with the priorities of the EU-AU Agenda 2030, facilitated by a workshop organized by the University of Siegen; and the planning of joint events (such as ATHENA Talks in Africa, the inclusion of African scientists and laboratories in the ATHENA Research portal) and the submission of joint proposals.
The ATHENA European University has established collaboration with universities and institutions within both Programme and Partner Countries as a strategic priority. This initiative aims to promote European values across Europe’s neighboring regions. In alignment with the EU-AU Agenda 2030, ATHENA Alliance has elevated the scope of individual member collaborations to a collective Alliance level, significantly enhancing partnerships with African universities.
The inaugural ATHENA-African Universities International Week serves as an extension of the Alliance’s collaborative efforts. This includes the Memorandum of Understanding signed with RUFORUM; also the award of a new grant under the CAPACITY Building Project in Higher Education (ABC Blended Course in Africa), where ATHENA partners play a pivotal role; and the conduct of a roundtable discussion titled ‘Erasmus @ Africa’ during Erasmus DAYS 2023.
Future plans encompass the active involvement of African partners in ATHENA-led initiatives and the continuation of virtual exchanges to achieve forthcoming objectives.
