“…This book overturns the stereotype that small states, however defined, are weak and are, or ought to be, consigned to the margins of international relations. It argues that small states are not ‘punching above their weight’, or even anomalies – since it is large states which are the anomaly in the global system. The text unpacks the nature and character of small state success, while also looking critically at thirteen episodes in modern history where small states, singly or collectively, emerged victorious in confrontations with larger states. The case studies, globally sourced, are bookended by conceptual and analytic reviews of what these events mean for diplomacy, international relations and small states more generally…”
The Åland University of Applied Sciences (AUAS), which joined the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories on 10 May, 2023, subscribed to the NUSCT Multilateral Student, Faculty and Staff Exchange Agreements on 1 June, 2023, thus expanding and enriching the exchange opportunities for NUSCT members’ students, faculty and staff, and promoting their understanding and appreciation of the uniqueness of small countries and territories.
At the 5th Rectors’ Annual meeting of the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories (NUSCT) hosted by the University of Liechtenstein in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on 10 May, 2023, members unanimously approved the application of the Äland University of Applied Sciences to join the Network.
This expanded membership of the 5-year old Network underscores the relevance acquired by the association since its constitution for institutions that share unique characteristics and challenges due to common socio-political environments, while it also brings the Network a step closer to a complete representation of European national and territorial representation.
Universities interested in joining NUSCT should apply online or address a letter of interest by their rector/Vice Chancellor to: NUSCT President Eyjólfur Guðmundsson at president@nusct.net
At the 5th Rectors’ Annual meeting of the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories (NUSCT) hosted by the Univresity of Liechtenstein in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on 10 May, 2023, members unanimously elected member University of Akureyri rector Eyjólfur Guðmundsson second president of NUSCT for a statutory 3-year term.
Prof. Guðmundsson takes over from the founding president of the network, Prof. Miquel Nicolau, rector of the University of Andorra, who held the position for a mandate and two one-year extensions of the same.
Consequently, the NUSCT Secretariat, managed until now by Secretary General John Zvereff, University of Andorra Rector’s Delegate for Internationalisation, passes on to the University of Akureyri, and will be taken over by Rúnar Gunnarsson, Director of the International Office of the University of Akureyri.
9 Rectors and 9 delegates from the 11 university members of the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories gathered, onsite and online, on 10 May, 2023, at the University of Lichtenstein, to celebrate the network’s 5th rectors’ annual meeting.
The participants were welcomed by Mrs. Rachel Guerra, Director of the Liechtenstein Office of Education and were addressed by Andrew Deeks, President of the International Association of Universities.
Amongst the most important decisions unanimously taken at the meeting, the following deserve special mention:
University of Akureyri rector Eyjólfur Guðmundsson was elected 2nd President of the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories, effective 11 May 2023;
the Äland University of Applied Sciences was admitted to NUSCT as its 12th member, thus bringing the Network closer to a complete representation from Europe’s small countries and territories;
student representatives from member universities will be invited to to attend and inform all future NUSCT Rectors’ Annual Meetings;
NUSCT members will draft and adopt a network policy on the application and use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, as well as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) scorecard;
NUSCT will draft a declaration on the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence;
NUSCT will assess the viability of becoming a European University Alliance.
The complete list of the decision taken at the meeting can be accessed at this link.
The Secretariat of the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories was invited to present the Network at the 7h Meeting of the Informal Network of European National Commissions for UNESCO, held in Andorra on April 24-28.
Entitled “NUSCT: A Case Study in Internationalisation and Multilateral Collaboration”, the presentation was delivered on April 25, 2023, by NUSCT manager John Zvereff, who shared with 46 distinguished presidents and directors of European National Commisions for UNESCO the history, mission, and accomplishments of this very unique Network.
Universitat d’Andorra Rector and NUSCT President Miquel Nicolau i Vila was elected to the Administrative Board of the International Association of Universities (IAU) on 28th of October, 2022, at the 16th IAU General Conference at the University College Dublin, in Dublin, Ireland.
The International Association of Universities founded in 1950, in Nice France, at the initiative of UNESCO and higher education leaders around the world, is the major international HE organization, with close to 600 members (institutions, organisations, affiliates and associates), from more than 130 countries.
The IAU serves the global higher education community by providing, among others, trends analysis, publications, advisory services, events, and advocacy to inform, affect and support global HE initiatives by intergovernmental organizations, governments and institutions worldwide.
Rector Nicolau’s election to the IAU Board comes as a recognition of his professional career, contribution to higher education, and commitment to internationalisation to ensure sustainability and peaceful coexistence. Miquel Nicolau’s participation on the IAU Board will, furthermore, ensure that universities in small countries and territories have a voice in shaping the organisation’s international HE agenda.
The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) has made known the Children’s University project of the Universitat d’Andorra (UdA). The project complements and provides an expanded framework for its Science Congress –annual event that was first held in 2014– which objective is to have children in the first courses of secondary school –aged 11 to 12– in the Principality’s three educational systems present scientific projects of their own design. The purposes of the Children’s University project is to have children interact with academe, strengthen faith in science and scientific evidence at an early age, and to promote participation in scientific projects. More information can be found in this article: Promoting Children’s Interest in Science: The Children University Project.
The Universitat d’Andorra became a member institution of UNAI in October 2021, joining higher education institutions working with the United Nations Organization (UN) for the fulfilment of the objectives and mandates of the organization, including promotion and protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability and conflict resolution.
INTRODUCTION TO BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS AND THE METAVERSE
The Department of Digital Innovation, in collaboration with the Institute for the Future (IFF) of the University of Nicosia (UNIC), are pleased to announce the first on-site boot camp on Blockchain and crypto. The boot camp will take place at UNIC premises from the Oct 3- Oct 7, 2022.
The boot camp offers an introduction to blockchain technologies and covers a variety of hot topics such as digital currencies, DAOs, NFTs, the Metaverse and Web3. Overall, it will be a mix of understanding blockchain technologies and discussing the new possibilities that blockchain has to offer to all industries.
The course curriculum, designed by UNIC’s faculty with a duration of 30-hours, has the below objectives:
– To introduce Blockchain technology and describe and understand its technical components including
Consensus algorithms
Encryption techniques and hash functions
Smart Contract
– To explain the peer-to-peer communication paradigm and its advantages over the traditional one
– To familiarize students with main layer 1 Blockchains such Bitcoin and Ethereum
– To introduce decentralized applications and present several use cases
– To introduce CBDCs and DAOs and their associated legal and security risks
– To present NFTs, Web 3.0 (the decentralized Web) and the Metaverse
Language of instruction: English
Admission Requirements:Prior technical knowledge of Blockchain is not required.
Fees:The tuition fee for the boot camp is 350 EUR and it is payable at registration. Tuition Fees are waived for student/faculty/staff of NUSCT Network members.
