From 22 to 26 June 2026, the University of Coimbra, Portugal hosted International Staff Week: Universities and the Future of Global Cooperation within the framework of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). The event focused on the evolving role of universities in fostering global cooperation and addressing contemporary international challenges.
The programme was preceded by an online component, during which participants were introduced to the objectives and structure of the Staff Week and attended an introductory session entitled Universities and the Future of Global Cooperation.
East European University (EEU) was represented by Professor Davit Sikharulidze, Head of the Department of Scientific Research and Development.
During the Staff Week, Professor Sikharulidze participated in the official opening ceremony and welcome session hosted by the University of Coimbra, followed by a keynote lecture entitled Universities as Key Actors in Global Cooperation. He also took part in the panel discussion Universities as Global Partners, a roundtable on higher education and international engagement, and a panel session on European universities’ strategies for global cooperation, which incorporated collaborative group work and participant presentations.
The programme further included sessions addressing the role of municipal diplomacy and international relations in advancing global cooperation, as well as discussions on the contribution of Confucius Institutes to promoting international collaboration in higher education. Participants also visited the University of Coimbra’s Figueira da Foz Campus. The Staff Week concluded with a closing session devoted to future opportunities for international cooperation.
Participation in the programme facilitated the establishment of new professional networks with representatives of European higher education institutions and enhanced participants’ understanding of international best practices, innovative teaching and training methodologies, and contemporary approaches to global academic cooperation.
Building on the knowledge and experience gained during the programme, the Department of Scientific Research and Development plans to organise an internal information session/workshop for university staff to disseminate the outcomes of the mobility. Furthermore, the professional contacts established during the Staff Week will support the development of future institutional partnerships, strengthen the University’s internationalisation efforts, and facilitate the initiation of joint academic and research projects.