International Scientific Conference EM-HERI 2025
Higher Education Systems in the Mediterranean:
Comparative Analysis & Development Opportunities
- 12 - 13 June 2025
- Bernardin - Portorož - Slovenia
Thursday - 12 June
Venue: Grand Hotel Bernardin
08.00 – 9.45 Registration of on-site participants
10.00 – 10.25 WELCOME SPEECH – [Click here for online streaming]
- Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc, President of the Euro-Mediterranean University
- Prof. Dr. Igor Papič, Minister Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
10.25 – 10.45 GREETINGS by Conference Co-organizers – [Click here for online streaming]
- Alessandro Lombardo, Head of Office, CEI – Central European Initiative, Italy
- Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General, UfM – Union for the Mediterranean
- Gemma Aubarell, Director of Culture, Gender, and Civil Society Department IEMED
- Marcello Scalisi, Director, UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union
- Dr. Mounir Ghribi, Director of International Cooperation and Research Prmotion (ICAP) – OGS, Italy
- Dr. Sci. Phys.-Math., Academician Paata J. Kervalishvili, President, Euro-Mediterranean Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Prof. dr. Stane Pejovnik, Secretary General, Slovenian Academy of Engineering (IAS)
10.45 – 12.15 HIGH-LEVEL POLICY PANEL – [Click here for online streaming]
“Higher Education and R&I as a Unifying Force for Regional Stability and Collaboration in the Mediterranean: Wish or Reality?”
Moderator: Prof. dr. Roberto Biloslavo, Vice-president of the Euro-Mediterranean University
Panelists:
- Prof. dr. Rado Bohinc, President of Euro-Mediterranean University
- Lavinia Monti, PhD, Director, Directorate General for Internationalization and Communication, Ministry of University and Research, Italy
- Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General, UfM – Union for Mediterranean
- Marcello Scalisi, Director, UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union
- Gemma Aubarell, Director of Culture, Gender, and Civil Society Department IEMED
- Prof. dr.Mohamed El-Shinawi, President of Galala University
- Georgiana Maria Pleşu – Policy Officer, International Cooperation Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
12.15 – 12.30 Coffee Break & Refreshments with Official Photo Session
12.30 – 14.00 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS – [Click here for online streaming]
Prof. Kherieh Rassas, President of UNIMED, Vice President for Partnerships and Global Engagement of An Najah National University, Palestine
Title: “Collaboration, Innovation, and Resilience of Higher Education Institutions: Case of Palestine”
Sebastian Stride, SIRIS Academic, Barcelona
Title: “Under siege: universities in a post-truth world”
14.00 – 15.30 Buffet Lunch
15.30 – 16.45 Concurrent Conference Sessions (on-site sessions)
- Brain circulations & Mobility opportunities
- Financial schemes and support mechanisms in Higher Education & Research
17.00 – 17.30 Coffee Break
17.30 – 19.00 HIGH LEVEL POLICY PANEL
“Geopolitical Situation in Mediterranean: Actual Challenges and Possible Answers”
Moderator: Prof. dr. Rado Bohinc, President of Euro-Mediterranean University
Keynote speech: Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
Panelists:
- Prof. dr. Mouin Hamze, Chairperson of EMUNI Management Board
- Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General, UfM – Union for Mediterranean
- Amb. Hatem Atallah, Tunisia
- Prof. dr. Augusto Santos Silva, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former President of the Assembly of the Republic, Portugal.
19.30 – 22.30 Conference Dinner and Social Event (Venue: Grand Hotel Bernardin)
Friday - 13 June
Venue: Grand Hotel Bernardin
8.30 – 9.45 PROJECT PANELS
- Central European Initiative: Cross Border Higher Education Dialogue
9.45 – 10.00 Coffee Break
10.00 – 11.15 PROJECT PANELS (parallel sessions)
- University Autonomy & Leadership in Higher Education
11.15 – 11.30 Coffee Break
11.30 – 13.00 Concurrent Conference Sessions (on-site sessions)
- “Higher Education Systems & Leadership: Best practices”
- “Microcredits, employability and lifelong learning”
13.00 – 13.15 WRAP UP SESSION & CLOSING REMARKS
13.15 – 14.30 Buffet Lunch
14.30 – 16.30 Optional Excursion – meeting point for the tour to be announced (for pre-registered participants)
EM-HERI 2025 provides a unique platform for experts and stakeholders from across the Mediterranean to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration on the topics of higher education, research and innovation. The focus of this year’s event is to:
- Identify and overcome systemic and legal obstacles in higher education and R&D cooperation within the region.
- Explore effective strategies to enhance higher education and research/innovation cooperation between the shores of the Mediterranean.
- Propose improvements to the policies and mechanisms governing higher education and research/innovation systems in Mediterranean countries and the EU.
The aim of this interdisciplinary conference is to establish a dialogue and foster cross-border and cross-sectoral cooperation to design policy developments and innovative solutions that could ensure a sustainable and digital future for the higher education, research and innovation in the Mediterranean region.
Important – Guidelines for Authors
We look forward to welcoming you to the international scientific conference EM-HERI 2025 titled “Higher Education Systems in the Mediterranean: Comparative analysis & Development opportunities”.
This highly anticipated event will provide a dynamic platform for academics, researchers and professionals to discuss current issues, share research findings and explore innovative solutions for the future of higher education, research and innovation in the Mediterranean region.
Abstract Submission
The Abstract (400-600 words) written in English must be structured into 4 subheadings and followed by 4-6 key words:
- Purpose (What are the reason(s) for writing the paper or aims of the research).
- Methodology (How are the objectives achieved? Include main method(s) used for the research. How do you approach the topic and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper?).
- Findings (What was discovered/proved in the course of conducting the research? This will refer to the analysis, discussion or results. If the paper reports on the research, include suggestions for the future research and provide information about any identified limitations during the research process).
- Contribution (What is new in the paper? State its theoretical, empirical, practical and social contribution and what it concerns).
Abstract submission for Conference is extended to 15 May 2025. [Click here to download abstract template]
Book of abstract, including all the accepted abstracts, will be published before the start of the conference.
Papers, selected by the scientific committee, will be considered to enter the process for possible publication in the International Journal of Euro-Mediterranean Studies (indexed SCOPUS) and Human Systems Management (Impact Factor: 2.3; CiteScore: 3.2).
- Abstract Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: April 14, 2025
- Deadline for reduced fee payment: May 12, 2025
- Submission of final abstracts (in case modifications are requested upon acceptance): May 26, 2024
- Deadline for registration (without abstract/presentation): June 2, 2025
- Conference: June 12 and 13, 2025
Location & Contact
Congress Center of the Grand Hotel Bernardin
Obala 2, 6320 Portorož, Slovenia
For inquiries, please contact conference@emuni.si
For conference logistics, please contact lina.kaldana@emuni.si
Conference Organising Committee
- Roberto Biloslavo, conference chair (EMUNI)
- Polona Oblak (EMUNI)
- Jaka Vadnjal (EMUNI)
- Mounir Ghribi (EMUNI and OGS)
- Nada Trunk Širca (EMUNI, University of Primorska and ISSBS)
The Conference Scientific Committee will be composed by the members of the Conference Organising Committee and the members of the conference co-organizers.
Registration and Conference Fee
Payment of the registration fee – bank transfer:
Name of the account holder: EMUNI University
Address: Kidričevo nabrežje 2
City: Piran
Country: Slovenia
IBAN: SI56 2900 0005 1703 476
BIC/SWIFT: BACXSI22
Purpose: EM-HERI – First name Last name
You will receive an invoice after the transfer has been received.
Co-hosts
