TAM Report / Georgia - European Universities Initiative

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Enrolment in the European Universities Initiative

Type of Event: Webinar

Modality: Online

Country: Georgia

Dates: 23 – 24 September 2024

Participants: The TAM engaged around 40 representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, the EU Delegation, HEREs, university administrators, academic staff, and policymakers from Georgian HEIs. 

THEMES COVERED

• Introduction to the European Universities Initiative
• Objectives, goals, structure, and components of alliances
• Terms and conditions for HEIs to join an alliance
• Cooperation with existing European university alliances
• Change management and success factors
• Monitoring tools: KPI, OKR, SMART, MEL; monitoring in Circle U
• National authorities’ strategies for EUI participation
• Case study: Circle U – lessons learned, best practices, challenges
• Planning future engagement and identifying partnership opportunities

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Engaged in discussions with national authorities and EU Delegation representatives
• Shared concerns, questions, and perspectives during interactive Q&A sessions
• Strengthened stakeholder collaboration and alignment with European HE priorities
• Recognised the strategic importance of preparing early for future alliance calls
• Identified the need for deeper institutional understanding of quality management standards and alliance governance

OVERVIEW

The two-day TAM aimed to strengthen Georgia’s understanding of the European Universities Initiative (EUI) and prepare national authorities and HEIs for potential engagement. Through expert-led seminars, case studies, interactive discussions, and Q&A sessions, participants explored the goals, structure, and components of the initiative, as well as the terms and conditions for institutional participation.

Sessions covered cooperation with existing alliances, governance models, quality management requirements, and monitoring tools such as KPIs, OKRs, SMART objectives and MEL strategies. National authorities contributed perspectives on Georgia’s internationalisation priorities, while the Circle U case study provided concrete insights into alliance operations, lessons learned, and implementation challenges. The event fostered a collaborative atmosphere and strengthened stakeholders’ understanding of strategic preparation for joining European alliances.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: TAM Follow-Up Event on European University Alliances

Dates: 4 November 2024

Audience: The follow-up webinar gathered 14 participants, with dissemination reaching more than 417 viewers online.

Description: The follow-up webinar aimed to deepen Georgian higher education institutions’ understanding of European University Alliances and provide practical guidance on how these alliances function, their outcomes, and the opportunities they offer for collaboration. Delivered entirely in Georgian to maximise accessibility, the session outlined the core components of the initiative, explained alliance structures and benefits, and introduced strategic considerations for HEIs preparing for future engagement.

The event combined expert presentations with interactive discussions and Q&A, allowing participants to explore potential pathways for cooperation and to reflect on how aligning internal policies with European standards could strengthen their readiness for future integration. The follow-up activity also contributed to a growing national interest in forming a Georgian university alliance, encouraging institutions to consider shared strategies and resource pooling for academic and scientific development. Dissemination through NEO’s media channels further extended the event’s reach, supporting wider awareness and continued institutional dialogue on next steps.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Strengthen HEIs’ preparation for EUI participation by adopting quality management standards aligned with European frameworks.
• Begin early, proactive internal preparation even before official EUI calls are launched.
• Foster close collaboration with alliance management teamsto understand membership expectations and tailor institutional strategies.
• Improve coordination between MoES, EU Delegation, QA agencies, and HEIs to support EUI readiness.
• Engage international experts on QA alignment, European HE policy, alliance governance, and EU funding mechanisms.
• Encourage HEIs to integrate monitoring and evaluation tools (KPI, OKR, SMART, MEL) into their internationalisation strategies.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• European Commission. (n.d.). European Universities Initiative. Retrieved 27 November 2025, from https://education.ec.europa.eu/education-levels/higher-education/european-universities-initiative
• European Parliament. (2023). Study — Modernisation of higher education in Europe: Trends, challenges and prospects. Publications Office of the European Union. IPOL_STU(2023)733105. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2023/733105/IPOL_STU(2023)733105_EN.pdf
• European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. (2023). The European Higher Education Area in 2030 — Report of the Bologna Process Implementation Working Group. Publications Office of the European Union. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ef36cf58-e57e-11ed-a05c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en