OCEAN project strengthens international cooperation through training activities in Greece and Italy and a transnational project meeting in Rome

November 2026 | OCEAN Project News

The OCEAN project – Opening Collaboration for Education and Academic Networks in the Maldives and Papua New Guinea – has successfully reached an important milestone with the organisation of its first European training activities under Work Package 2 (WP2), held in Piraeus, Greece, and Rome, Italy,

Capacity-Building Activities in Greece and Italy

The training activities were organised under WP2 – Capacity Building & Foundation, with the aim of strengthening the skills and institutional capacities of partner higher education institutions, particularly those in the Maldives and Papua New Guinea.

The first training programme took place in Piraeus, Greece, over three days, providing an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge, explore good practices and strengthen cooperation among consortium institutions.

The activities continued in Rome, Italy, from 16 to 21 October 2026, hosted by the University of Rome Tor Vergata. The programme combined thematic training sessions, interactive workshops, institutional exchanges and networking opportunities.

The Rome training programme addressed six key thematic areas:

• Green Initiatives: sustainable campus development, the European Green Deal, circular economy and environmentally responsible higher education.
• Cooperation with the Private Sector: stakeholder engagement, university–business cooperation and the development of institutional partnerships.
• Blended Learning: innovative teaching methodologies, digital learning environments, online course design and assessment.
• Internationalisation at Home: approaches to integrating international and intercultural dimensions into university education.
• International Curricula Development: international degree programmes, joint and double degrees, curriculum design and quality assurance.
• Inclusive Education: identifying institutional barriers, improving accessibility and developing inclusive higher education strategies.

Training sessions were delivered by experts from IHF asbl, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

Through presentations, practical exercises and group discussions, participants explored approaches and tools that can support the development of institutional strategies and future project activities.

The programme concluded on 21 October with an institutional exchange and campus visit at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, offering further opportunities to discuss academic mobility, international cooperation and potential future partnerships.

Transnational Project Meeting in Rome

Alongside the training activities, the OCEAN consortium held its Transnational Project Meeting on 17 October 2026, hosted by the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

The meeting provided an important opportunity for partners to review project implementation, assess progress across the different work packages and coordinate the next phases of the project.

Discussions covered project management and quality assurance, the implementation of WP2 training activities, the preparation of training materials and the progress of equipment procurement for partner institutions in the Maldives and Papua New Guinea.

Partners also discussed the transition from capacity-building activities to the implementation of institutional internationalisation strategies and pilot initiatives under WP3.

Particular attention was given to dissemination, stakeholder engagement and sustainability under WP4, as well as upcoming deliverables, project milestones, mobility activities and future coordination needs.

The meeting reinforced the importance of close cooperation among all consortium partners to ensure effective project implementation and the achievement of OCEAN's objectives.

Moving Forward Together

The training activities in Greece and Italy, together with the Transnational Project Meeting in Rome, represent an important step in the implementation of OCEAN.

By bringing together academic staff, institutional representatives and project experts from different countries, these activities contribute to strengthening professional capacities, encouraging the exchange of experiences and building lasting partnerships.

The knowledge and approaches explored during the training programmes will support the next phases of the project, particularly the development and implementation of internationalisation strategies, innovative educational practices, sustainability initiatives and inclusive approaches to higher education.

OCEAN continues its journey towards more connected, inclusive and sustainable higher education systems, strengthening cooperation between Europe, the Maldives and Papua New Guinea.

For more information and project updates, visit https://oceaneu.net/.