08.00 – 9.45 Registration of on-site participants

10.00 – 10.05 WELCOME SPEECH (with online streaming)

• Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc, President Euro-Mediterranean University EMUNI

10.05 – 10.25 OPENING SPEECH (with online streaming)

• Prof. Dr. Igor Papič, Minister Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

10.25 – 10.45 GREETING by Conference Co-organizers (TBC) (with online streaming)

• Alessandro Lombardo, Head of Office, CEI – Central European Initiative, Italy
• Dr. Sci. Phys.-Math., Academician Paata J. Kervalishvili, President, Euro-Mediterranean Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General, UfM – Union for the Mediterranean
• Marcello Scalisi, Director, UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union
• Dr. Mounir Ghribi, Director of International Cooperation and Research Prmotion (ICAP) – OGS, Italy

10.45 – 12.15 HIGH-LEVEL POLICY PANEL (with online streaming)
“Higher Education and R&I as a Unifying Force for Regional Stability and Collaboration in the Mediterranean: Wish or Reality?”

Panelists:

• 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
• Prof. Roger Albinyana, Director of the Mediterranean Regional Policies and Human Development department, IEMed – European Institute of the Mediterranean

Abstract:
The panel explores strategies for fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange across higher education and research institutions in the Mediterranean. Key topics include aligning educational systems, leveraging EU funding, bridging research disparities, and enhancing student/researcher mobility.

12.15 – 12.30 Coffee Break & Refreshments with Official Photo Session

12.30 – 14.00 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS (TBC) (with 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”

Kherieh Rassas is on the board of various local and international institutions, known as an International Expert in Higher Education and Governance. Kherieh served for six years as Senior Special Advisor to Former Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. Kherieh had been very active in terms of legislation of health-related laws as well as civil rights laws. Founded the Faculty of Optometry at An Najah University in 2005, and the Global Health Institute in 2021. Born in Jerusalem, pursued studies in France, South Africa, the UK and Israel.

Sebastian Stride, SIRIS Academic, Barcelona

Title: “Under siege: universities in a post-truth world”

Sebastian Stride is a founding partner of SIRIS Academic, a not-for-profit consulting company specialised in higher education, research and innovation. He has worked with the leadership of over 250 universities, research institutes and governments in 30 countries and helped raise more than 5 Billion Euros. He lived for many years in Central Asia and has an academic background as a Silk Road archaeologist.

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

16.45 – 17.00 Coffer Break

17.15 – 18.30 Concurrent Conference Sessions (on-site sessions)

• Higher Education Systems & Leadership: Best practices
• Microcredits, employability and lifelong learning

19.30 – 23.59 Conference Dinner and Social Event (Venue: TBC)