The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) proudly hosted its flagship event of the year, the Annual Conference 2025, gathering thought leaders, policymakers, and academics from across Europe and the Mediterranean. Under the theme “Higher Education as a Bridge Between the Two Shores of the Mediterranean,” the conference explored how knowledge, innovation, and research can support peace, sustainability, and inclusive growth in the region.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc, President of EMUNI, and Prof. Dr. Igor PapiÄŤ, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia.
A round of greetings from EMUNI’s international partners followed. These included Alessandro Lombardo, Head of Office at the Central European Initiative (CEI, Italy); Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM); Gemma Aubarell, Director at the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMED); Marcello Scalisi, Director of UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union; Dr. Mounir Ghribi, Director of International Cooperation at OGS, Italy.
A powerful high-level policy panel followed, titled “Higher Education and R&I as a Unifying Force for Regional Stability and Collaboration in the Mediterranean: Wish or Reality?”. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Roberto Biloslavo, Vice President of EMUNI, it featured expert perspectives from: Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc (EMUNI), Lavinia Monti (Ministry of University and Research, Italy), Joan Borrell (UfM), Marcello Scalisi (UNIMED), Gemma Aubarell (IEMED), Prof. Dr. Mohamed El-Shinawi (Galala University, Egypt), and Georgiana Maria Pleşu (European Commission, DG EAC).
After a short coffee break, two powerful keynote speeches brought further inspiration. Prof. Kherieh Rassas, Vice President for Global Engagement at An-Najah National University (Palestine) and President of UNIMED, addressed the resilience of Palestinian higher education institutions in the face of crisis. Her talk on “Collaboration, Innovation, and Resilience” was followed by Sebastian Stride of SIRIS Academic (Barcelona), who tackled the topic “Under Siege: Universities in a Post-Truth World.”
In the afternoon, two concurrent conference sessions took place onsite. One focused on “Brain Circulations and Mobility Opportunities,” exploring the movement of talent across borders and institutions, while the other addressed “Financial Schemes and Support Mechanisms in Higher Education and Research,” offering insights into funding models and sustainability practices.
The day concluded with the second High-Level Policy Panel bringing geopolitical issues into focus. Titled “Geopolitical Situation in the Mediterranean: Actual Challenges and Possible Answers,” the session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc and began with a keynote address by H.E. Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. Panelists included Prof. Dr. Mouin Hamze (EMUNI Management Board Chair), Joan Borrell (UfM), Amb. Hatem Atallah (Tunisia), and Prof. Dr. Augusto Santos Silva (former Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Portuguese Parliament). Together, they tackled complex regional dynamics and stressed the importance of diplomacy, education, and multilateral cooperation.
The second day began with the project panel “Central European Initiative: Cross-Border Higher Education Dialogue”, followed by a second panel titled “University Autonomy and Leadership in Higher Education.” These sessions provided a practical look into governance, academic freedom, and the evolving roles of university leadership in Central and Mediterranean regions.
Two concurrent conference sessions followed, one exploring “Higher Education Systems and Leadership: Best Practices,” and the other focusing on “Microcredits, Employability, and Lifelong Learning,” highlighting innovative approaches to flexible learning, digital credentials, and workforce readiness.
The conference closed with a Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks session, marking the end of two impactful days of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic dialogue.
