530465-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-BE-TEMPUS-SMGR

http://www.athena-tempus.eu

Project goals and objectives: The ATHENA project aims to contribute to the development, reform and modernization of higher education systems in the Eastern Neighbouring partner countries Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine. As a structural measure, it is designed to support structural reform processes and the development of strategic frameworks at the national level. ATHENA ultimately aims to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education systems in the targeted partner countries and to increase their voluntary convergence with EU developments.

Based on an in-depth assessment of system-specific needs, ATHENA will:

• foster the transfer of good practices in order to promote efficient and effective governance and funding reforms;
• promote inclusive approaches to governance and funding reforms, involving higher education institutions, public authorities and other relevant higher education stakeholders;
• build the capacities of universities in the partner countries to modernise the management of financial and human resources.

Activities:

• First year: focus on research (data collection and analysis on the situation in university autonomy and funding in the partner countries) and on starting the policy dialogue around these issues (organisation of country workshops to discuss these topics, drafting of policy roadmaps).
• Second year: focus on capacity building for universities and policy dialogue between public authorities in ENPI East countries and EU countries (organisation of study visits, drafting of implementation roadmaps).
• Third year: focus on policy development and regional benchmarking exercise. Dissemination of project recommendations and policy roadmaps through a widely distributed publication.

Expected results:

• Detailed knowledge on the state of play in HE autonomy & funding and identification of priorities in eachpartner country;
• Start of policy dialogue on institutional & financial autonomy in each partner country;
• Acquisition of new skills by university management staff;
• Improved framework conditions for HEIs in the partner countries with more autonomy and better accountability mechanisms.

Partnership:

• University of Coimbra, Portugal
• Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Portugal
• University of Helsinki, Finland
• Haaga-HeliaUniversity of Applied Science, Finland
• Universityof Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova
• Free International University of Moldova
• Cahul state university “B. P. Hasdeu”
• National Rectors’ Council of Moldova
• Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova
• YerevanState University
• GavarState University
• StateEngineering University of Armenia
• State Universities Rectors Council of Armenia
• Republicof ArmeniaMinistry of Education and Science
• KyivTarasShevchenko National University
• DonetskNational University
• OdessaI.I. Mechnikov National University
• Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National UniversityUkraine
• National Rectors` Council of Ukraine
• Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine

Coordinator: EuropeanUniversity Association, Belgium

Coordinator: Thomas Estermann, Head of Governance, Autonomy and Funding Unit
tel.: 003227431146
fax: 003222305751
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Project team leader at Odessa I.I. Mechnikov University: Prof.Dr. Igor Koval, Rector
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Phone: +38-048-723-35-15

Contact person: Denys Kuzmin, Ass. Prof.
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Phone: +38-0482-68-72-84