SHIFT-MED Successfully Completes “Governance Workshops for Twin Transition in Universities”
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SHIFT-MED Successfully Completes “Governance Workshops for Twin Transition in Universities”
Within the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project SHIFT-MED – Shaping the Future of Universities: Twin Transitions across the Mediterranean – the consortium successfully implemented the intensive training programme titled “Governance Workshops for Twin Transition in Universities” between 4–15 May 2026 in hybrid format
The workshops brought together academics, sustainability committee members, university managers, researchers, and institutional representatives from partner universities and organizations in Tunisia, Palestine, Türkiye, and Italy. The programme aimed to strengthen institutional capacities for the green and digital transition in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through governance, sustainability leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Day 1 – Stakeholder Engagement and Innovation Ecosystems
The programme started with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement and innovation ecosystems. Participants explored the role of ecosystems in higher education, entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and developing countries, and governance mechanisms for sustainable innovation. Interactive sessions and the TEEG Business Game simulation provided participants with hands-on experience in decision-making, ecosystem governance, and collaborative problem-solving.
Day 2 – Sustainable Development and the Role of Higher Education Institutions
The second day focused on sustainable development concepts and the critical role of HEIs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants discussed the evolution of sustainability, environmental and social challenges, ESG frameworks, and sustainability practices in universities, including green campuses, sustainability-oriented curricula, and community engagement. Group activities enabled participants to map institutional contributions to the SDGs and exchange good practices.
Day 3 – Strategic Planning for Environmental Performance
The third day addressed strategic planning and stakeholder engagement for sustainable universities. Sessions focused on sustainability strategies in HEIs, stakeholder mapping tools, and examples of successful European university practices. Participants worked collaboratively to develop draft institutional sustainability strategies tailored to their own university contexts, strengthening peer learning and institutional cooperation.
Day 4 – Sustainability Leadership, Institutional Governance, and Resource Management
The fourth day concentrated on sustainability leadership and institutional governance. Discussions covered sustainable business models, internationalization strategies, leadership and change management, as well as diversity management and inclusive leadership in academic institutions. Participants reflected on how universities can build resilient governance systems capable of managing sustainability and digital transformation processes effectively.
Day 5 – Sustainability Leadership and Governance in Universities
The final day focused on practical implementation approaches for Sustainability Committees within universities. The sessions addressed sustainability governance models, ISO 14001 integration, strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, resource management, and sustainability monitoring systems. Interactive activities supported participants in developing institutional action plans, stakeholder maps, and sustainability indicators, enabling them to translate strategic vision into concrete institutional actions.
Throughout the workshops, participants engaged in collaborative discussions, institutional group work, governance exercises, and digital interactive activities using tools such as Mentimeter, Kahoot, AhaSlides, and Wheel of Names. The programme provided not only theoretical knowledge but also practical methodologies and tools for institutional transformation.
The successful implementation of the Governance Workshops marks a significant milestone for the SHIFT-MED project and reinforces the consortium’s commitment to supporting sustainable, resilient, and digitally empowered universities across the Mediterranean region.
🌱 Through international cooperation, innovation, and capacity building, SHIFT-MED continues contributing to the modernization of higher education systems and the advancement of the twin green and digital transition.
