The SHINE project (Sustainable Strategies in Higher Education Internationalisation Towards Excellence in Namibia) officially launched today with its Kick-Off Meeting, bringing together partners from Namibia and Europe for the first in-person exchange.

Hosted by the University of Namibia (UNAM), the meeting marked an important milestone in setting the foundations for collaboration, coordination, and shared vision across the consortium.

The day opened with welcoming remarks by the hosting institution, UNAM, followed by participant introductions and an overview of partner institutions’ current internationalisation efforts. Universities and organisations presented their experiences, highlighting both strengths and areas for development in advancing global engagement in higher education.

The programme continued with a comprehensive presentation of the SHINE project, including its objectives, expected results, and work packages. Particular attention was given to:

• Project management and governance structures (WP1)
• Quality assurance and reporting requirements
• Dissemination and visibility strategy

In the afternoon, partners engaged in interactive working sessions, focusing on:

• Sharing best practices in internationalisation of higher education
• Identifying key gaps and challenges to be addressed in upcoming project activities

These discussions will directly inform future actions, including capacity-building activities and the development of sustainable internationalisation strategies.

🚀 Looking ahead, the SHINE consortium will gather tomorrow for the official public launch event, where the project will be presented to a wider audience, including policymakers, students, and key stakeholders.