The Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSOG) (www.maastrichtuniversity.nl) is part of Maastricht University (UM), the most international university in the Netherlands. UM is known for its innovative Problem-Based Learning (PBL), its advanced research and its international orientation. As a ‘leading in learning’ university, UM is at the forefront of innovative teaching, and is embedded in a wide network of education professionals, academics and policy-makers. With almost 16,000 students and 4,000 staff, the University offers a wide choice of academic programmes, all of which are designed to bring out the best in its students.
In January 2011, MGSOG joined the United Nations University, strengthening further its international training and research network while building on the expertise of UNU-MERIT the Maastricht based research institute of the UNU. MGSOG has lead large-scale teaching and research projects in the field of governance, migration, university-business cooperation, e-learning. It prepares professionals and researchers for policy analysis, risk assessment, policy design, policy monitoring, policy evaluation and methods and techniques of policy research. In many ways the School is the expression of Maastricht University’s identity: “Where research and teaching are complementary. Where innovation is our focus. Where talent can flourish.”
Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) (www.mruni.eu) is a state university, one of the leading, dynamic and among the largest universities in Lithuania with about 15000 students from 38 countries, who study in the fields of Law, Management and Administration, Business, Finances, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Languages, etc. About 200 doctoral students study in the fields of law, management, psychology, philology, economics, education. Doctoral studies are provided in consortiums with partners from Lithuania and other EU countries. Internationalization is embedded into the University’s strategy as the strategic goal of Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) is to be an outstanding institution of higher education belonging to the international networks of universities, offering opportunities of international education, carrying out high level research, attracting Lithuanian and international students, academics and researchers, educating highly qualified graduates in conformity to the needs of the state and labour market, ensuring unity of studies and science, creating conditions for continuous personal learning and applying modern management principles to the governance of the University. MRU is a member of IAU, EUA, AUF, and active in other key international organizations such as ASEF, cooperates with over 200 universities, public and business entities. Student and staff exchange, networks, EU, national and international programmes, including Erasmus+, FP7, NordPlus, COST are some key factors for internationalization complemented by several joint and double degree programmes, English-taught study programmes and courses for degree-seeking and exchange (credit mobility) students.
Buckinghamshire New University (BUCKS) (www.bucks.ac.uk) is a public Higher Education organization structured in two faculties –Design Media and Management and Society and Health, 8 schools and 32 departments. (Law, Applied Business Management, Design, Media, Visual arts, Computing, Engineering, Music Management, Sports Management, Aviation, Policing and Criminology).
BUCKS is a member of over 21 national and international professional bodies and organizations. Those specifically connected with the area of this application are: Member of the British Higher Education Academy; Member of the Gender and Enterprise Network (GEN) within the Institute for small business and entrepreneurship, UK. Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR-UK). Entrepreneurs association UK; UK Business Angels Association.
University of Maribor (UM) (www.um.si) is a public, broad-based institution committed to excellence in education, creation of knowledge through basic, applied research, innovative and artistic expression. UM offers a full spectre of natural, social and humanistic undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes in 17 faculties. UM aims to promote synergy in social environment through partnerships with businesses, governmental and non-governmental and other institutions to enrich university teaching, research and creative activity; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic and ethical values, and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; respect ecological and environmental issues; promote sustainability in development; and contribute to the public good. The Research and Development Strategy, passed in 2012, positions the university in the centre of the social eco-system in which it assumes the role of the innovation hub for more effective socio-economic interaction in an international environment. Internationalisation strategy was passed in 2013 and it encourages student and staff mobility and active participation in international associations, networks and projects. With ELEVATE project the UM aims to support the endeavours for more effective internationalisation of Moldovan higher education.
UM has partnership agreements with around 110 European universities (including Eastern neighbourhood countries) and 6 USA universities. It is a member of several national and international professional bodies, among them in European University Association, Magna Charta Universitatum, Alps-Adriatic Rector’s Conference, Danube Rectors Conference, United Nations Academic Impact, Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence.
European Policy Development and Research Institute is a non-profit and multidisciplinary independent organisation which unites international high qualified academic and non-academic individual and collective members with the long-standing expertise. The main strategic focus areas of EPDRI: Educational Development, Regional Development, Good Governance and Reforms, Minorities and Autonomies, Knowledge Communities. One of the aims of EPDRI to advocate a system of higher education that ensures equal educational opportunities, adheres to the principle of quality assurance, promotes international cooperation, supports lifelong learning and meets both the needs of individual and society.
The objective is target mainly on the Eastern Neighbourhood Area and realised through the following specific actions: Internationalisation, Research & Innovation, Quality Assurance, Lifelong Learning, Governance, Autonomy & Finding and Informational & Communication Technologies.