Hadhramout University will participate in the final conference of the Yemeni Higher Education Leadership Development Project (YHELD) on 13-14 May in Cairo, Egypt, alongside several Yemeni universities and European academic institutions. This participation falls within the framework of efforts aimed at enhancing academic internationalization and building strategic partnerships that contribute to the development of Yemen’s higher education system.
The university’s participation is part of an academic alliance comprising seven Yemeni universities, namely: Aden University, Abyan University, Al‑Adl University, Lahj University, Seiyun University, Shabwa University, and Taiz University. This partnership aims to develop university leadership capacities, strengthen the performance of international relations offices, and expand institutional cooperation with European universities in line with global developments in the higher education sector.
The first day of the conference is expected to feature an opening session that includes speeches by a number of officials and project leaders, led by the Yemeni Ambassador to Egypt, Eng. Khaled Mahfoudh Bahah. The speeches will address the importance of the project in supporting the development of higher education pathways and enhancing the continuity of Yemeni–European academic cooperation, in addition to reviewing key achievements and challenges associated with the Erasmus+ Program.
The conference will also witness the official launch of the Yemeni Network of International Relations Offices, envisioned as a national platform aimed at coordinating academic efforts, exchanging expertise, and expanding opportunities for scientific and research cooperation between Yemeni universities and their European counterparts.
The second day of the conference will be dedicated to discussing project sustainability plans, governance mechanisms, and future coordination frameworks, as well as developing communication and awareness strategies. It will also explore expanding academic partnerships through the Union for the Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED) Network, thereby strengthening the presence of Yemeni universities in the international academic sphere and supporting their integration into regional and global higher education systems.
The YHELD Project is considered a prominent academic initiative implemented through an international partnership led by Link Campus University, with the participation of several Yemeni universities and European institutions, including the Union for the Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED), the Advanced School of Social Studies, the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), and Martin Luther University Halle‑Wittenberg. The project aims to enhance institutional resilience, build leadership capacities, and promote a culture of international cooperation within Yemeni higher education institutions.