Visits & Gatherings

The ANIME members met for the annual event of the Network at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, from November 10^th to November 13^th, 2024.

Gathered under the guiding principles of inclusiveness, multilingualism, and excellence, which form the very foundation of the ANIME Network - representatives from the University of Ghana, University of São Paulo, University of Córdoba, University of Lomé, University of Sofia St Kliment Ohridski, University of Strasbourg and Stellenbosch University shared views and exchanged best practices on Excellence - a key topic for the Network in 2024.  

This third annual event built on the discussions and commitments made at the first annual gathering in Strasbourg back in 2022 and at the second annual meeting hosted by the University of Sofia in 2023. The conversations focused on internationalization processes in our institutions.

The event also featured sessions and keynote speeches with a special emphasis on Sustainable Development Goal 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The Network contributed to this topic through the organization of an international conference on “Conflicts: Memory and Reconstruction” in Strasbourg last September. Additionally, Africa University Day, celebrated on 12^th November highlighted the role of higher education in the development of the African continent and explored solutions to the region's most pressing and persistent challenges. 

The third annual event was also an opportunity to convene the Network's 11th Plenary Assembly Meeting, where members discussed future projects and perspectives to advance the Network’s collective goals. With 12 signatures* to date, copies of signed ANIME consortium agreements were distributed to the participating members, formally marking the Network’s transition to ensure the sustainability of the actions carried out together since 2020. 

The University of São Paulo proposed integrating the next ANIME Annual Meeting as a 2-day event into their 2025 Winter School of Advanced Studies on “Inclusion and Belonging: University, Memory, and Reparations”, which is scheduled to take place from 1–11 July 2025. 

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of SU International’s team, participants enjoyed a vibrant cultural and culinary programme, providing the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Stellenbosch and its surrounding landscapes, heritage, and local traditions. 

* University of Strasbourg, Stellenbosch University, University of Ghana, University of Lomé, University of São Paulo, University of Córdoba, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Uniminuto, University of Ngaoundéré, Cadi Ayyad University, Babeș-Bolyai University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

From January 15 to 17, 2024, Prof. Irini Tsamadou-Jacoberger, the Vice President for Europe and International Relations of the University of Strasbourg, along with two members of the International Relations Office, Mathilde Le Clainche, International Project Officer and Galya Hovhannisyan, International Project Officer Assistant led an exploratory mission to the University of Rwanda.

In the post-genocide era, the University of Rwanda plays a vital role in advancing the socio-economic development of the country and creating community cohesion through the provision of high-quality education, research, and employment opportunities for its students. New partnerships bring innovation, excellence and international openness to the university.

The primary objective of the visit was thus to facilitate meaningful discussions with the University representatives and faculty members, and explore potential avenues for future partnerships.

Prior to the exploratory visit, various faculties and research units at the University of Strasbourg were notified and requested to express their interest and identify potential areas for collaboration. The collected feedback and ideas served as the foundation for shaping the agenda of the meetings.

In April 2023, the University of Strasbourg (Unistra) carried out a special mission in Colombia. The delegation was led by Prof. Irini Tsamadou-Jacoberger, Vice President for Europe and International Relations, and included Prof. Alexandra Knaebel, Vice President for Education and Student Success, Sophie Kennel, Vice President Delegated for Pedagogical Transformation, who also serves as the Director of IDIP, along with a team from the Office of International Relations, headed by Ms. Irina Simion.

The mission entailed visits to five institutions in Bogotá: the National University of Colombia (a public institution), the University of the Andes, the University of Rosario, the Javeriana University, and UNIMINUTO, all of which are private institutions. Beyond promoting Unistra to Colombian students, this mission had a threefold objective: to reinvigorate previous collaborations, enhance existing partnerships, and initiate new bilateral initiatives. An international framework agreement was signed with UNIMINUTO, which had joined the ANIME network the previous year.

The ANIME team also embarked on a journey to West Africa from January 29 to February 4, 2023, where they engaged with the Universities of Lomé (UL), Ghana (UG), and Cape Coast (UCC). Both the University of Lomé and the University of Ghana expressed their interest in joining the MUDExI consortium, formed within ANIME in September of the previous year. This consortium comprises institutions such as Babes-Bolyai University in Romania, St Kliment Ohridski University in Bulgaria, Sao Paulo University in Brazil, Ngaoundéré University in Cameroon, and the University of Strasbourg in France. They had been selected to collaborate on the project titled "Dynamic Multi/Plurilingualism: A Foundation for Inclusive Excellence in Higher Education - MUDExI" in response to the 2022 call for proposals by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie.

The second mission took place in Romania in November 2022, specifically at Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca. The Vice President and the Office of International Relations of the University of Strasbourg (Unistra) were part of a larger delegation that included seven affiliated institutions operating under the Alsatian site contract (2018 - 2022). These institutions included the National University Library of Strasbourg (BNU), the National School for Water and Environmental Engineering of Strasbourg (ENGEES), the National School of Architecture of Strasbourg (ENSAS), the University of Arts of Rhin (HEAR), the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Strasbourg (INSA), and the University of Upper Alsace (UHA).

In May 2022, the ANIME delegation, led by Prof. Irini Tsamadou-Jacoberger, Vice President for Europe and International Relations, held its inaugural mission to Israel. During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to engage with colleagues from two prominent Israeli universities, namely the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) and Bar-Ilan University (BIU). The primary focus of the discussions revolved around the concept of inclusion and its connection to internationalisation, as exemplified by the "Unit for Diversity and Inclusion" overseen by Professor Mona Khoury-Kassabri, who serves as the Vice President for Strategy and Diversity at HUJI. The delegation also visited Technion University.