Deliverable D1.3 YHELD: Periodic report (first year)

On July 31, 2024, LCU released Deliverable D1.3 regarding the Periodic report (first year). The Deliverable analyses and summarizes all the main technical and organizational aspects implemented during the first year of the project. The first results achieved, the difficulties encountered during the months of work and the next steps to be taken for proper implementation of the activities so that the expected results can be achieved.
Needs Analysis and Target Groups:

• -Yemeni HEIs are isolated and lack updated skills, innovative approaches, and resources to engage internationally.
• -The project targets three main groups: administrative and technical staff, teachers and researchers, and governance representatives of HEIs.
  • -Common needs include:
  •    Updating and developing skills and experiences to enable participation in international partnerships.
  •    Designing a coordinated and scientific strategy for internationalization, overcoming politicized and centralized management.
  •    Improving the societal and international perception of Yemeni universities.
  •    Fostering a culture of innovation to adapt to new generations of students and modern educational demands.
• -Before the war, Yemeni universities had collaborations with European institutions promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, but these have largely stalled.

Results Achieved and Activities:

• - The project has initiated the establishment of IROs in partner universities, providing training and capacity building for staff and faculty.
• - It has promoted the development of shared internationalization strategies and facilitated networking and partnership opportunities.
• - Efforts have been made to increase student and faculty mobility and to involve Yemeni universities more actively in the global academic community.

Impact and Ambition:

• - The project aims to prevent further deterioration of Yemeni higher education and reduce brain drain by empowering local institutions.
• - It supports HEIs as key actors in Yemen’s stabilization, social cohesion, and economic development.
• - Education is seen as a critical tool for providing hope and improving living conditions in a conflict-affected society.
• -The initiative promotes building a knowledge-based society essential for Yemen’s democratization and reconstruction.

Challenges and Recommendations:

• - The ongoing conflict and political instability remain major obstacles.
• - Continuous international support—financial, technical, and academic—is necessary.
• - Strengthening governance, autonomy, and transparency in universities is recommended to ensure sustainable progress.

For further information on YHELD
Email address: a.damiani@unilink.it
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🎓📢 A Milestone for the YHELD Project!
We’re excited to share Deliverable D1.3 – First-Year Periodic Report, highlighting the key achievements, challenges, and next steps of the YHELD (Yemeni Higher Education Leadership for Development) project.

👉 In the first year, we have:
✅ Initiated the creation of International Relations Offices (IROs) in Yemeni partner universities
✅ Delivered extensive training and capacity-building for staff and faculty
✅ Developed shared internationalization strategies
✅ Promoted student and staff mobility, and fostered new partnerships

🎯 Our mission?
To empower Yemeni Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as essential pillars for national stabilization, social cohesion, and economic recovery — even in the face of ongoing conflict.

💡 Education is hope. It’s the foundation for opportunity, peace, and long-term reconstruction.

📎 Learn more: https://research.unilink.it/yheld/
📩 Contact: a.damiani@unilink.it
🔗 Follow us: Link Campus University on LinkedIn

#YHELD #HigherEducation #Internationalization #Yemen #CapacityBuilding #EducationForDevelopment #EUPartnership #LinkCampusUniversity #EducationForPeace

Kick-Off YHELD consortium meeting: name of your organisation joined the online Kick-Off Meeting of YHELD
On January 18, 2024, (name of your organisation) attended the kick-off meeting of the project entitled: YHELD - Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of relint offices. The kick-off took place online, under the leadership of the project manager dr. Raffaele Longo, Link Campus University (Italy). A Project is co-funded by the Erasmus Plus Programme of the European Commission. The consortium is composed by 8 Yemeni Universities, with a current small operational capacity, 4 EU HEIs, representatives of three European countries, and 1 EU Association of Universities. The KOM was held in online mode.
YHELD project team and project partners are: Link Campus University (Italy), Unione delle Università del Mediterraneo (Italy), School of Advanced Social Studies – SASS (Slovenia), Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (Germany), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), University of Abyan (Yemen), Al-Adel University (Yemen), University of Aden (Yemen), Hadhramout University (Yemen), University of Lahej (Yemen), Seiyun University (Yemen), University of Shabwa (Yemen), Taiz University (Yemen).
The YHELD project responds to an urgent and concrete request formulated by Yemeni Universities to support them in overcoming some of the difficulties and the isolation problems created by the recent and current history of the PC. The higher education is one of the sectors that sustained serious destruction and is not considered as priority due to the humanitarian emergency. In addition, the security issue as well as the lack of qualified employment opportunities have discouraged students to participate in the academic life.
The specific objective of the project is to enhance Yemeni HEIs capacities and abilities to work at international level, through the establishment of IROs – International Relation Offices and the definition of internationalization strategies in the partner Yemeni universities. IROs will be academic window on international scenario, a strategic “tool” to involve local educational community in international innovative initiatives, giving visibility, supporting, and monitoring the Universities’ initiatives also assuring good quality standards. [Insert a brief description of your organisation and its role in YHELD]
For further information on YHELD
For further information on YHELD
Email address: a.damiani@unilink.it
website
Your social media channels:

Media Department

Under the direct supervision and guidance of Professor Dr. Mohammed Al-Shoaibi, President of Taiz University, the university participated on Monday in a virtual training course as part of the European Commission's YHELD project. The course included eight Yemeni universities and targeted 64 lecturers, researchers, and administrators via online communication technology. Professor Dr. Mohammed Al-Shoaibi emphasized the importance of Taiz University's participation in this project, as it contributes to enhancing the university’s capabilities, international cooperation, and progress in governance and research support through its partnership with the European Commission. The training course was attended by: Professor Dr. Riyadh Al-Aqab, Vice President for Student Affairs and Program Coordinator. Dr. Turki Mahyoub, Head of the International Relations Department. A group of faculty members and university staff. The training course, which runs on December 9, 10, and 16, covers key topics such as university education internationalization, leadership and governance empowerment, research support mechanisms, as well as teaching and learning strategies. It is conducted over three days by Link Campus University (Italy), Martin Luther Halle-Wittenberg University (Germany), and ACEEU GMBH (Germany).