The consortium of the SMILE project – Supporting Mobility and Internationalization for Learning and Engagement in Somali HEIs – officially launched project implementation today with a Virtual Kick-Off Meeting convening Somali and European partner organisations.
SMILE is a 36-month initiative designed to enhance the internationalisation capacity of Somali higher education institutions (HEIs) by fostering academic mobility, institutional cooperation and digital education. The project addresses structural barriers that have limited Somali universities’ participation in global academic networks by strengthening institutional capabilities, tools and infrastructure for sustained international engagement.
The project is coordinated by Horseed International University (SO) and brings together eight partners across Somalia and Europe:
- Baidoa International University (SO)
- Plasma University (SO)
- Somali Education and Youth Development Action (SO)
- Middle East Technical University (TR)
- University of Piraeus Research Center (EL)
- The European Society for Socio Economic Integration (BE)
- Evropaikos Syndesmos Syntoniston Erasmus (CY)
Held online on 20 January 2026, the Kick-Off Meeting aligned partners on governance, responsibilities, implementation sequencing and early deliverables. A structured overview of the SMILE rationale, objectives, priorities, target groups, expected results and impact has been developed.
Presentations and partner discussion on the project’s core implementation pillars:
- WP2: Capacity Building through Training and Infrastructure Development, led by METU
- WP3: Practical Application and Strategy Development, led by the University of Piraeus
- WP4: Dissemination and Promotion of Internationalization, led by ESSEI
In addition, a dedicated session on the project management took place, ensuring shared understanding of reporting, controls and performance monitoring.
The meeting also confirmed the consortium’s next in-person milestone: the April Meeting and first mobility in Ankara, hosted by METU, including initial discussion of logistics and participation arrangements.
Across its work plan, SMILE foresees capacity-building workshops and hands-on training, the development of institutional tools and strategic frameworks and the rollout of virtual mobility initiatives. By the end of the project, participating Somali HEIs are expected to have strengthened internationalisation strategies, expanded formal cooperation agreements and advanced participation in mobility opportunities.
