MEP&M project proposal aims toward solving multiple issues. First, coastal zone and marine environment protection is one of Montenegrin and Albanian (PC) Governments priorities. Also, this field is one of priorities toward EU accession process for all WBCs. Lack of adequate number of professionals in governmental institutions and blue economy sector companies dealing with issues in this area should be overcome through enhanced education and research at PC HEIs. Secondly, strengthening international competitiveness within EHEA and ERA are the main driving forces for PC HEIs. Thus, project’s activities will deliver next main results: developed and accredited innovative regional joint interdisciplinary MSc program (120 ECTS, 2-year duration) in field of Maritime Environmental Protection and Management (MEP&M) in English language at PC HEIs; enhanced human capacities in field of MEP&M and e-learning methodology through tailored trainings at PC HEIs; enhanced technical capacities of PC HEIs through installed new e-learning platform; increased networking among PC HEIs, governmental institutions, Blue economy sector companies and NGOs in order to act regionally to prevent and cope with consequences of global climate change and local/regional marine pollution.The project will have positive impact on strengthening human capacities in field of MEP&M at PCs, and wider, and increasing international competitiveness and visibility of the PC HEIs, as a result of the developed and started MSc program in MEP&M in English and enhanced human and technical capacities.
The general objective of the MEP&M project was to increase the competencies and skills of human resources in Partner Countries (PC) in the MEP&M through strengthening PC HEIs. Specific goals included developing a joint regional MSc program in MEP&M in English at PC HEIs, enhancing the human and technical capacities of PC HEIs, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the blue economy sector to address the challenges posed by global climate change and local/regional marine pollution.
The MEP&M project addressed the shortage of qualified professionals needed to manage the challenges in coastal and marine environmental protection, a shared priority for both Montenegro and Albania, as the blue economy sector in these countries was identified as a key contributor to local and regional marine pollution and a significant factor in GHG emissions.
<< Background >> The MEP&M project addressed the shortage of qualified professionals needed to manage the challenges in coastal and marine environmental protection, a shared priority for both Montenegro and Albania, as the blue economy sector in these countries was identified as a key contributor to local and regional marine pollution and a significant factor in GHG emissions. << Objectives >> The general objective of the MEP&M project was to increase the competencies and skills of human resources in Partner Countries (PC) in the MEP&M through strengthening PC HEIs. Specific goals included developing a joint regional MSc program in MEP&M in English at PC HEIs, enhancing the human and technical capacities of PC HEIs, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the blue economy sector to address the challenges posed by global climate change and local/regional marine pollution. << Implementation >> The MEP&M project was successfully implemented over 43 months period through a collaborative partnership involving three EU HEIs, three Montenegrin institutions (one HEI, one governmental agency, and one NGO), and three Albanian institutions (two HEIs and one governmental agency). This consortium facilitated the successful execution of the project's objectives. << Results >> The MEP&M project's main results include a newly developed joint MSc program (120 ECTS) in the field of MEP&M in English at PC HEIs, enhanced human capacities at PC HEIs in fields of MEP&M and e-learning, enhanced technical capacities of PC HEIs through installed new e-learning platforms and air/seawater pollution monitoring equipment, and enhanced networking among stakeholders to act regionally to prevent and manage local/regional maritime pollution and implications of global climate change.