Eight Yemeni universities launch new academic cooperation networks aimed at strengthening international partnerships, research collaboration, and institutional resilience.

For more than a decade, Yemeni universities have operated under conditions few higher education institutions around the world have experienced. Conflict, economic instability, restrictions on mobility, and damaged infrastructure have complicated efforts to maintain academic quality and engage with the international higher education community.

PRESS RELEASE: KICK-OFF YHELD consortium meeting

On January 18, 2024, partners attended the kick-off meeting of the project entitled: YHELD - Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices. The kick-off took place online, under the leadership of the project manager Dr. Raffaele Longo, Link Campus University (Italy). The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. The consortium is composed of eight Yemeni universities, with a current small operational capacity, four EU HEIs representing three European countries, and one EU Association of Universities.

The YHELD project team and project partners are: Link Campus University (Italy), Unione delle Università del Mediterraneo (Italy), School of Advanced Social Studies – SASS (Slovenia), Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (Germany), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), University of Abyan (Yemen), Al-Adel University (Yemen), University of Aden (Yemen), Hadhramout University (Yemen), University of Lahej (Yemen), Seiyun University (Yemen), University of Shabwa (Yemen), Taiz University (Yemen).

The YHELD project responds to an urgent and concrete request formulated by Yemeni universities to support them in overcoming some of the difficulties and isolation problems created by the recent and current history of the Partner Country. Higher education is one of the sectors that sustained serious destruction and is not considered as a priority due to the humanitarian emergency. In addition, the security issue as well as the lack of qualified employment opportunities have discouraged students from participating in academic life.

The specific objective of the project is to enhance Yemeni HEIs' capacities and abilities to work at an international level, through the establishment of IROs – International Relations Offices and the definition of internationalization strategies in the partner Yemeni universities. IROs will be an academic window on the international scenario, a strategic “tool” to involve the local educational community in international innovative initiatives, giving visibility to, supporting, and monitoring the universities' initiatives, as well as assuring good quality standards.

The YHELD brochure provides information about the Aims and Partners of the Project and informs readers about the importance of the YHELD Project for the development of Yemeni higher education institutions and connection with international partners.

ABOUT YHELD: The project consortium was designed by a set of partners from universities in Yemen and the EU, including universities that did not benefit from ERASMUS+. The consortium involves eight Yemeni partners that have been chosen for their remarkable potential, which is not yet fully exploited. The goal of the Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices project (YHELD) is to contribute to reducing the international isolation of Yemeni HEIs, promoting their role in the educational, cultural, and economic actions for the reconstruction of the country. The project responds to an urgent and concrete request formulated by Yemeni universities to support them in overcoming some of the difficulties and isolation problems created by the recent and current history of the Partner Country.

Higher education is one of the sectors that sustained serious destruction and is not considered as a priority due to the humanitarian emergency. In addition, the security issue as well as the lack of qualified employment opportunities have discouraged students from participating in academic life. HEIs have a key role to play in social stability, international cooperation, and peace-building actions, as well as in advocacy on these key themes with national and international stakeholders, as they are probably the only realistic and feasible actors able to support local educational institutions and to improve government and international awareness on local educational needs.

The specific objective of the project is to enhance Yemeni HEIs' capacities and abilities to work at an international level, through the establishment of IROs – International Relations Offices and the definition of internationalization strategies in the partner Yemeni universities. IROs will be an academic window on the international scenario, a strategic “tool” to involve the local educational community in international innovative initiatives, giving visibility to, supporting, and monitoring the universities' initiatives, as well as assuring good quality standards.

YHELD SEPTEMBER COORDINATION MEETING

At the regular monthly project meeting held on 18 September 2025, partners from Yemeni universities, European institutions, and project coordinators focused on three key areas: project extension, implementation of training courses, and financial aspects.

Key Highlights
• Three project deliverables (D2.1, D2.2, D5.1) were successfully submitted, with four remaining to be completed.
• Proposals for new strategies and solutions to increase internationalization.
• Physical training courses were confirmed to take place in Cairo or Amman; Yemeni partners expressed a preference for Cairo and dates in November.

Next Steps
Partners will finalize the dates and topics to be discussed regarding the training courses, and the next monthly meeting will be held in October.

YHELD Final Conference in Cairo Reinforces Euro-Yemeni Academic Cooperation and Internationalization of Higher Education

Cairo, Egypt – May 14, 2026 – The final conference of the YHELD project (Project No. 101129434) successfully took place in Cairo on 13–14 May 2026, bringing together representatives of Yemeni and European higher education institutions, international cooperation experts, university leaders, and policymakers to reflect on the project’s achievements and define future directions for sustainable academic collaboration.

The conference marked the culmination of the YHELD initiative, dedicated to strengthening the internationalization capacities of Yemeni higher education institutions and fostering long-term cooperation between Yemeni universities and European partners.

On June 14, 2024, we attended the Partner Meeting of the project: YHELD - Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices. The Partner Meeting was held online, led by Giorgio Balzareani, Link Campus University (Italy).

The YHELD project team and project partners are: Link Campus University (Italy), Unione delle Università del Mediterraneo (Italy), SASS (Slovenia), Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (Germany), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), University of Abyan (Yemen), Al-Adel University (Yemen), University of Aden (Yemen), Hadhramout University (Yemen), University of Lahej (Yemen), Seiyun University (Yemen), University of Shabwa (Yemen), Taiz University (Yemen). We discussed:

• Organizational aspects required for the successful implementation of the project (timeline, financing, etc.).
• Contents of individual work packages that require additional engagement from our Yemeni partners.
• Communication challenges and communication tools.
• Preparatory steps for the eLearning platform user manual.
• Project milestones related to the training of our Yemeni partners.

Together with our partners, we have identified many opportunities that will take the project to a higher level. Despite communication challenges arising from difficulties faced by our Yemeni partners in attending online meetings, incremental progress is being made. All partners agreed that continuing in this direction, both in terms of coordination and activity execution, will lead to further improvements in the project.

Did you know about the YHELD project? Facts and actions

Did you know?

The YHELD project arises from the collaboration of various universities aiming to strengthen their capacities and foster international cooperation. Supported by the Erasmus+ Programme, several partners have previously collaborated on European projects and are already active in EU networks, recognizing the importance of global cooperation.

The consortium brings together diverse expertise, including European universities with extensive experience in internationalization, mobility, and cooperation projects.

The project also involves several Yemeni universities, all committed to innovating practices, enhancing staff capabilities, and contributing to Yemen’s educational development. The project aims to redesign strategies and foster international partnerships through knowledge exchange.

The consortium was designed to balance collaboration and clearly define responsibilities among partners, ensuring resilience and commitment despite challenges posed by local instability in Yemen. Through joint efforts, the project aims to contribute to capacity building, reconstruction, and dialogue in the region.

🎓📢 A Milestone for the YHELD Project!

We’re excited to share Deliverable D1.3 – First-Year Periodic Report, highlighting the key achievements, challenges, and next steps of the YHELD (Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices) project.

👉 In the first year, we have:
✅ Initiated the creation of International Relations Offices (IROs) in Yemeni partner universities
✅ Delivered extensive training and capacity building for staff and faculty
✅ Developed shared internationalization strategies
✅ Promoted student and staff mobility and fostered new partnerships

🎯 Our mission?
To empower Yemeni Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as essential pillars for national stabilization, social cohesion, and economic recovery — even in the face of ongoing conflict.

💡 Education is hope. It’s the foundation for opportunity, peace, and long-term reconstruction.

YHELD JULY COORDINATION MEETING:
Consortium Moves Forward with In-Person Training Plans

The YHELD (Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices) consortium held its July coordination meeting virtually on 17 July 2025, bringing together representatives from eight Yemeni universities and international partners including UNIMED, SASS, LCU, MLU, and ACEEU. The meeting focused on key updates and next steps to enhance internationalization and digital learning capacity across Yemeni higher education institutions.

Advancing Internationalization through Data-Driven Insights
LCU reported that two surveys—on internationalization strategies and the use of eLearning platforms—were recently distributed to Yemeni partner institutions. While participation rates are still rising, partners were encouraged to promote the surveys internally to ensure robust and representative responses before the 28 July deadline.

Abyan University confirmed the surveys’ clarity and pledged to engage more English-speaking faculty. The University of Aden also highlighted its current use of eLearning tools, noting a need for further training to optimize implementation.

YHELD OCTOBER PARTNER MEETING: YHELD Project Monthly Meeting – October 2025

Online, October 16, 2025 – The YHELD project consortium held its monthly meeting for October remotely. The meeting brought together all project partners, who coordinated administrative matters, clarified open issues, and agreed on the next steps for implementing the training sessions.

Key Achievements and Progress
During the discussion, the partners demonstrated a high level of cooperation and willingness to continue the project effectively.

• Preparation of training sessions: Cairo University confirmed that it will host the training. Due to the limited availability of trainers and pending approval of the partnership agreement, November 24 and the first week of December were proposed as the most suitable dates. The training will last four days and will be aimed at strengthening the partners' competencies and ensuring a more effective implementation of project activities.

INTERNATIONAL MEETING MAY 5, 2026: YHELD Project Hosts Online Dissemination Event Showcasing Results and Strengthening Euro-Yemeni Academic Cooperation

May 5, 2026 – Online

The YHELD (Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices) project successfully held its online dissemination event on May 5, 2026, gathering representatives from higher education institutions, international organizations, and government bodies to present key achievements and discuss future collaboration. The event took place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CET and marked a significant step in advancing higher education leadership and institutional development in Yemen.

The event opened with welcome remarks from distinguished speakers, including Jamil Al-Jaadi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education for Planning in Yemen; Andrea Damiani, Project Coordinator from Link Campus University; and Silvia Marchionne, Senior Project Manager at UNIMED and Work Package 4 Leader. They highlighted the importance of capacity building, international partnerships, and knowledge exchange in strengthening higher education systems.

DELIVERABLE D1.5 COMPLETED:

🚀 YHELD Project Update – Progress Report D1.5 Released!
📅 Period: December 1, 2023 – December 1, 2024
📍 Coordinated by Link Campus University (LCU)
🎯 Goal: Strengthening International Relations Offices (IROs) in Yemen’s Higher Education Institutions

🔍 Key Highlights:
✅ Project management tools, risk plan, and quality assurance framework in place
✅ Successful internal assessment by ACEEU to map training needs
✅ E-learning platform developed and tailored for Yemeni HEIs
✅ Training programs in progress – focusing on leadership, governance, and e-learning methods
✅ Institutional SWOT analyses conducted to shape internationalization strategies

⚠️ Challenges:
• Some training activities are pending or being partially delivered online/in person.
• Kick-off meeting held online due to constraints.

YHELD JUNE PARTNER MEETING: Monthly Partner Coordination Meeting – June 24, 2025

On June 24, 2025, YHELD partners met virtually with EU Project Advisor Ms. Carla Giulietti to discuss the next steps for higher education development in Yemen.

Key Discussion Points:
🔹 EACEA supports a 6-month extension (without additional funding)
🔹 On-site training proposed in Jordan or Egypt
🔹 Stronger IRO networks and EU-Yemen cooperation in focus
🔹 Budget reallocation discussions underway
🔹 Upcoming distribution of improved surveys (D2.1 and D2.2)
🔹 Call for stronger dissemination and visibility efforts

Together, we are building stronger, more connected universities in Yemen. 🌍📚

🌍 Big News! The YHELD Arabic Website is Now Live! 🚀

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Arabic version of the YHELD website! 🎉 This milestone marks a major step in making our platform more inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly for Arabic-speaking communities worldwide.

This launch is part of our ongoing mission to bridge language gaps and empower users globally.

💡 What’s New?
✅ Fully localized content in Arabic
✅ Seamless navigation for Arabic-speaking users
✅ The same great features—now accessible to more people

Check it out here: https://www.yheld.net/ar 🔗

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing partners, translators, and all those who contributed to this launch! Your hard work and dedication made this possible. 🙌

Help us spread the word by sharing this with your network! 💙

YHELD EGYPT TRAINING: CAIRO WORKSHOP

Yemeni universities strengthened their international and communication capacities during training in Egypt as part of the YHELD project.

From December 1–4, 2025, Cairo hosted the YHELD Work Package 4 (WP4) Training, titled “Internationalisation and Communication as Key Assets to the Creation of National and International Networks of IROs.”

The four-day programme marked a decisive step in enhancing the global engagement of Yemeni Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through practical training, strategic planning, and the creation of sustainable cooperation networks.

Organised under the leadership of UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union, in coordination with Link Campus University (Italy) and in collaboration with CESIE ETS (Italy), the training gathered 16 participants representing eight Yemeni partner universities. Attendees included university rectors, vice-presidents for international relations, and heads of International Relations Offices (IROs).

Structured Programme and Key Themes
The training combined interactive workshops, expert lectures, and group exercises across four thematic days:

Day 1 – Internationalisation Strategies and Activities:
Participants explored global trends in higher education internationalisation and developed mini action plans for their IROs. Guided by Silvia Marchionne (UNIMED), they conducted SWOT analyses, defined strategic goals such as increasing student mobility and improving international visibility, and learned about Erasmus+ funding opportunities.

Day 2 – Cooperation Networks for Internationalisation:
Focus shifted to establishing two major collaboration frameworks:
• The Yemeni Network of IROs: A national coordination platform for capacity building and knowledge sharing.
• The Euro–Yemeni Academic Cooperation Network: Fostering long-term partnerships between Yemeni and European institutions.
Through group work, participants designed governance models, 12-month work plans, and future joint initiatives.

Day 3 – Communication and Outreach Strategy:
Led by Alberto Provenzano (CESIE ETS), the session strengthened participants’ skills in institutional branding, multi-channel communication, and visibility. Universities conducted communication audits to identify strengths and areas for improvement in their outreach strategies.

Day 4 – Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation in EU-Funded Projects:
Facilitated by Alessia Valenti (CESIE ETS), the final sessions focused on effective dissemination of project results, EU visibility rules, and stakeholder engagement planning. Participants applied these concepts through case studies and stakeholder mapping exercises.

YHELD NEWSLETTER #4: DELIVERABLE D1.3 INTERNATIONALIZATION STRATEGIES AND DELIVERABLE D3.1 REPORT ON TRAINING SESSIONS

Report on Training Sessions
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), as part of the European Union-funded YHELD project (Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices), in collaboration with leading international partners, has successfully delivered a comprehensive series of high-impact training sessions. These sessions were specifically designed to empower Yemeni higher education institutions, strengthen their institutional capacities, and support transformative reforms aligned with global academic standards.

In December 2024, the intensive training program brought together a dynamic cohort of faculty members, university administrators, and researchers from eight prominent Yemeni universities: Hadhramout University, Shabwa University, Taiz University, University of Lahej, Abyan University, Seiyun University, Al-Adel University, and the University of Aden. Over the course of the program, participants engaged in an interactive and forward-thinking learning environment that fostered collaboration, innovation, and strategic development.

The training sessions were meticulously structured around three critical, interrelated strategic themes identified through initial needs assessments:
• Internationalization: Building global engagement and cross-border cooperation.
• Leadership and Governance: Enhancing institutional leadership, ethical governance practices, and policy development.
• Teaching, Learning, and Research: Promoting modern pedagogical approaches, research-driven education, and digital innovation in learning environments.

Through this targeted approach, the YHELD project is not only addressing immediate institutional challenges but also laying a sustainable foundation for the future growth, resilience, and international integration of Yemen's higher education sector.

YHELD NEWSLETTER #3: INTERVIEW WITH DR. FAHMI BANAFA, LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF AL-ADEL UNIVERSITY

Brief Introduction
My name is Dr. Fahmi Banafa, and I serve as the President of Al-Adel University, a non-profit institution based in Aden, Yemen. In addition to my role as President, I am the Legal Representative of Al-Adel University within the YHELD project. I hold both a Master’s degree and a PhD from the United States, and my professional focus centers on advancing higher education, fostering academic excellence, and enhancing international collaboration.

Experience with the YHELD Project
At Al-Adel University, our experience with the YHELD project has been both enriching and transformative. As a non-profit institution committed to academic quality, we have found this initiative instrumental in strengthening our internationalization efforts and overall institutional capacity.

Through YHELD, we are actively participating in the establishment of our International Relations Office (IRO)—a critical step toward expanding our global academic networks. The project's virtual workshops and strategic planning sessions have equipped our faculty and administrative staff with valuable insights and essential competencies needed to navigate today’s higher education landscape.

Despite the challenges posed by the local socio-political context, YHELD has helped our institution bridge geographic divides by facilitating meaningful partnerships with European institutions and peer Yemeni universities. To build on this progress and maximize practical learning, we also emphasize the value of combining these virtual formats with targeted in-person training sessions for staff and faculty as project activities advance.

YHELD NEWSLETTER #2: KICK-OFF MEETING

On January 18, 2024, the YHELD project consortium officially held its online kick-off meeting for the project: YHELD – Yemeni Higher Education Leading to Development of Resilient Offices.

The meeting was led by Project Manager Dr. Raffaele Longo from Link Campus University (Italy). Representatives from the full consortium attended, including Link Campus University (Italy), UNIMED (Italy), ACEEU (Germany), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), SASS (Slovenia), and eight partner universities from Yemen: Abyan University, Al-Adel University, University of Aden, Hadhramout University, University of Lahej, Seiyun University, University of Shabwa, and Taiz University.

Key Discussion Topics:
• Organizational and administrative framework (schedule, financial management, reporting)
• Scope and deliverables of individual Work Packages
• Strategies to address operational challenges in Yemen to ensure successful project implementation

Together with our partners, we are committed to strengthening the internationalization capacity of Yemeni higher education institutions through the establishment of International Relations Offices (IROs). These IROs will serve as strategic gateways to the global academic community—fostering international collaboration, enhancing institutional visibility, supporting academic initiatives, and maintaining high quality standards.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project responds to an urgent and concrete
request formulated by Yemeni Universities to
support them in overcoming some of the
difficulties and the isolation problems created
by the recent and current history of the PC. The
higher education is one of the sectors that
sustained serious destruction and is not
considered as priority due to the humaniatarian
emergency. In addition, the security issue as
well as the lack of qualified employment
opportunities have discouraged students to
participate in the academic life.
The specific objective of the project is to
enhance Yemeni HEIs capacities and abilities to
work at international level, through the
establishment of IROs – International Relation
Offices and the definition of internationalization
strategies in the partner Yemeni universities.
IROs will be academic window on international
scenario, a strategic “tool” to involve local
educational community in international
innovative initiatives, giving visibility, supporting,
and monitoring the Universities’ initiatives also
assuring good quality standards.