About

Project Objectives

The project aims to strengthen the capacities of partner African HEIs in Ghana and Rwanda in conflict management and transformation studies and foster international academic cooperation between third countries not associated with the Programme (Ghana and Rwanda) and EU countries (Austria and Spain). Thus, the project provides students and HEI staff with detailed knowledge and tools for work and study in conflict management and transformation, focusing on analytical and critical thinking skills.

Research Goals

Conflict Studies
Promotion of international cooperation
Further development of curricula and teaching materials with regard to internationalization
Implementation of digital learning and multimedia courses

Main Target Groups

Higher Education Students

Primary beneficiaries of enhanced education quality and international exposure.
Students from less experienced institutions (SDD and PUR): targeted skills development, and academic support.
Students from all partner HEIs: benefit from improved curricula, employability-focused programs, and access to Participatory Video (PV) units.

Higher Education Academic Staff

From African partner institutions: central to train-the-trainer courses, curriculum development, and academic exchanges.
From European institutions (UASCV and ULPGC): involved in knowledge transfer, mentoring, and best practice sharing.
Benefit from capacity building, mobility programs, and joint teaching and research opportunities.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Institutional level stakeholders involved in curriculum reform, internationalization, and strategic cooperation.
Less experienced African HEIs (SDD and PUR): major focus for institutional development.
Established partners (UR, UG, UASCV, ULPGC): both contributors and beneficiaries of regional and international collaboration.

Community Stakeholders and Civil Society

Communities engaged through Participatory Video (PV) units: direct participants in community-based conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives.
Local civil society organizations: potential partners for PV projects and field-based learning.
Policymakers and Educational Authorities
National or regional education ministries and quality assurance bodies: involved in or influenced by curricular reforms and regional integration efforts.
Could support scaling and sustainability through policy alignment.

Expected Results

Train-the-Trainer Courses in Conflict Studies

The project will deliver a comprehensive capacity-building programme across multiple levels of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Africa, with a strong emphasis on conflict studies, internationalisation, and digital teaching innovation. Central to this initiative are Train-the-Trainer courses designed for HEI academic staff. Delivered in a blended format (online and in-person), these courses aim to strengthen the pedagogical and research capabilities of academic staff in the field of conflict studies. Covering key thematic areas—such as ‘Methodology of Teaching Conflict Studies’, ‘Conflict and Peacebuilding Research Methods’, ‘Online Teaching in Conflict Studies’, and ‘Case Study Management in Conflict Studies’—the training will offer both theoretical foundations and practical tools, equipping participants with updated knowledge and methodologies to enhance curriculum delivery and academic leadership in this field.

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

In parallel, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) courses will be offered to students across the African consortium universities. These courses aim to foster internationalisation at home by enabling cross-cultural and interdisciplinary exchange in an interactive online environment, supported by on-site activities. With topics including Conflict Analysis and Transformation, Peacebuilding Methodologies, Urban Violence and Peacebuilding, and Peace Processes and Everyday Political Negotiation, the courses offer students an opportunity to engage with international experts and peers, thereby strengthening their understanding of global conflict resolution practices while enhancing their intercultural, transversal, and employability skills. Each course includes both conceptual and experiential learning components to encourage deep engagement and applied learning.

Blended Mobility for Students and Staff

Furthermore, the project will implement blended mobility courses for both students and staff, encouraging intra-African collaboration and mobility. Selected students will participate in one-week exchange programmes between Ghana and Rwanda, while national mobility within each country will also take place between partner institutions. Similarly, academic staff will engage in both international and national mobility schemes, promoting knowledge exchange and institutional partnerships. Additional on-site training in Participatory Video (PV) courses will be offered to technicians, staff, and students, equipping them with participatory media tools for research and community engagement.

Grant Writing and Virtual Teaching Courses

To further enhance institutional capacity, the project includes online courses in grant writing and virtual classroom teaching methodologies, targeting academic and administrative staff. These initiatives aim to improve resource mobilisation and digital education readiness across all participating HEIs. Workshops on internationalising existing curricula will introduce innovative teaching components into current programmes, fostering curriculum modernisation and responsiveness to global standards.

PhD Co-Coaching and Training Manual Development

PhD co-coaching activities will also be established, pairing HEI staff in joint supervision roles to build mentorship networks and strengthen doctoral education. A key tangible output of the project will be a comprehensive training manual compiling global best practices and case studies in conflict management and transformation, serving as a lasting resource for faculty and students alike. Collectively, these efforts will significantly enhance institutional capacities, foster regional cooperation, and promote academic excellence and innovation in conflict studies across African HEIs.