Network university cooperation (NETWORK)

A Network University Cooperation (NETWORK) programme is a national level institutional network led by a former IUC that focuses on a priority theme within the country strategy (nationwide need-based) and that builds on previous cooperation experiences. The programme is about multiplying and levelling up capacity building efforts. In fact, a NETWORK aims to empower local universities to join forces and to work together in order to contribute to national goals in higher education and development.

A NETWORK aims at national level-impact in a specific thematic domain by providing substantial support to a limited number of carefully selected partner universities located in one of our partner countries. It will build upon the experiences of a former Institutional University Cooperation (IUC), which will serve as the coordinating university (hub).

The NETWORK can be considered as a partnership between various partner institutions in a specific country in the South and universities and university colleges in Flanders.

A NETWORK partner programme represents a long-term commitment involving considerable team effort and a partnership between Flemish universities and university colleges on the one hand and different universities in the South on the other. As indicated, a former IUC partner university coordinates at a local level and also picks a local programme coordinator. There is also a coordinating Flemish university, which is the university of the Flemish coordinator that we appointed. The aim is, however, to involve different Flemish institutions.

We launch a call for NETWORK programme proposals. Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) from our partner countries can then submit a first concept note which is assessed by an independent commission of experts based on six criteria: scientific quality, relevance, impact, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.

In the next step, we organise a matchmaking process in Flanders with the selected partners in order to find Flemish counterparts. During an ‘inception year´, a formulation phase is organised.

A new call is expected to be launched 2020 for full implementation starting in 2022.