By Chynna Riego
Photo Credits: Phnom Penh International University (PPIU)
As a formal launching of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education (CBHE) project entitled Unify Communication in International Projects (UNICATION), a kick-off meeting was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 19 – 23 February 2024 and hosted by Phnom Penh International University (PPIU).
The Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, graced the opening ceremony and shared his message of support for the project. Alongside him, H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, and H.E. Maria Amelita C. Aquino, Ambassador of the Philippines to Cambodia were also present during the opening ceremony.
PPIU’s rector, Dr. Tep Kolep similarly welcomed the launching of the project and expressed their honor to host the project’s kick-off meeting.
In the hopes of creating the “best global dish representing each country’s best flavors”, Ms. Natacha Moniz of Instituto Superior Tecnico closed the formal ceremony with the goals and objectives of the project.
Each member university from five different countries was given the opportunity to present their respective university to cap off the morning’s activities.
The next few days of the kick-off meeting were dedicated to discussing each work package of the project and its corresponding deliverables for the next two years.
Photo Credits: Phnom Penh International University (PPIU)
The University of the Philippines, through the Office of International Linkages, will be leading Work Package 5 Mentoring in International Project (Philippines) in the UNICATION project. With this role, UP is tasked with replicating training and workshops in the Philippines focused on international project management and communication skills.
Aside from this, UP was also selected to serve as the Secretariat of the Dissemination Committee of the project.
As of this writing, the UNICATION project will be OIL’s second Erasmus project, the first of which is the ANTENA Erasmus+ Project which ended last year.
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The Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education (CBHE) project entitled Unify Communication in International Projects (UNICATION) aims to improve the level of competencies and skills of Higher Education Institutions’ (HEI) staff in the Philippines and Cambodia and to promote international cooperation, particularly in international project management.
The project will bring together a partnership of eight HEIs from three countries in Europe and two countries in Asia, to wit:
- Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisboa (Portugal)
- Obuda University (Hungary)
- Université Côte d’Azur (France)
- University of the Philippines (Philippines)
- Batangas State University (Philippines)
- Phnom Penh International University (Cambodia)
- University of Heng Samrin Thbongkhmum (Cambodia)
- National University of Management (Cambodia)
For more information about the project, please visit https://oil.up.edu.ph/oil-programs/unication-2024/.