The MEP&M project aims toward solving multiple issues. First, coastal zone and marine environment protection are some of the Montenegrin and Albanian Governments' priorities. Also, this field is one of the priorities toward the EU accession process for all WBC. Lack of an adequate number of professionals in governmental institutions, and Blue economy sector enterprises dealing with issues in this field should be overcome through enhanced education and research at Montenegrin and Albanian HEIs. Secondly, strengthening international competitiveness within European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and European Research Area (ERA) are the main driving forces for Montenegrin and Albanian HEIs.
MEP&M project bases its objectives on actual needs. The PC HEIs continuously communicated in the preparation stage, deciding jointly on the priority activities that can be implemented given the timeframe, development level, and existing capacities at each institution. Having this in mind ensures that the objectives are set realistically.
Even though the MEP&M project envisages series of activities that cover different aspects of increasing capacities in Montenegrin and Albanian HEIs, there is little or no concern to the feasibility of their implementation. First and foremost, it will involve as many people as necessary to complete each task successfully and with high quality, as each activity and expected outcomes are set in a clear and precise manner, with relevant indicators attached to them. All structures relevant for meeting MEP&M project objectives will be involved, including teaching, administration, and technical staff, as well as students, who will all directly benefit from the activities in defined ways. In that way, the comprehensive ownership of the process will be achieved, and the motivation level of those involved in the process maintained.
The selection of EU HEIs was performed meticulously in order to assure all the expertise needed to achieve the project's anticipated results. Since the development and delivery of the regional joint interdisciplinary master program in MEP&M does not depend on the state-of-the-art subject domain expertise only, it was also crucial to engage the EU HEI with broad experience in preparing and delivering the studying programs online, in the form of digital or e-learning. In this way, the proposed project encompasses all expertise and experience necessary to assure high-quality standards:
Furthermore, the national authorities in charge of coastal and marine environmental protection in Montenegro and Albania have expressed their commitment to support all activities. In this context, the wider project objective, as well as its specific objectives have been defined taking into account the situation in the field, the existing capacities, and the potential of the participating institutions to achieve them.
The project implementation started in January 2021 and will last for three years. The total budget approved is 845,188.00 EUR.
Number of visits : 595