Harmony project aims to contribute to development of a comprehensive internationalization strategies and their harmonization at EU and Partner Countries (Armenia, Belarus, Russia) within the framework of HEA in accordance with the main provisions of the Bologna Process through modernization of international relation management of the partner countries universities, promoting the academic mobility and correspondently, increasing the attractiveness of the higher education systems in these countries and EU. Project represents a comprehensive approach to much-needed strategies for the PCs HEIs that will start from comprehansive research of internationalisation level of HE, following EU best practice study to boost horizontally their internationalisation. The action foresees strengthening strategic, infrastructural & human capacities in HEIs of 3 PCs, implementation of Internationalization Action Plans in 7 HEIs and further approval by national Ministries which involvement ensures project impact on policy level and provides modernisation at national development strategies.At the project core there lays development of approaches to harmonization of internationalization strategies in HE, research and innovation through setting-up tool kits and their national approval. The specific objectives will be reached by actions at institutional, national & multi-regional levels across PCs like implementing a set training set, establishing Framework of a Comprehensive internationalization strategy, recommendations for harmonisation. The action is complemented by extensive dissemination & networking activities. The partnership comprises 6 EU HEIs, 2 HEIs from AM and BY and 4 RU institutions; and the MoES of PCs join them. Expected impact is seen as contribution to coherence between internationalisation strategies and EU development cooperation policies by considering principles of equity and PC ownership; use academic and research mobility as given direction of cooperation.

Background and project objectives:The wider objective of the project was to enhance the quality and relevance of six existing Master (MA) programmes in Finance in Armenia and Moldova through targeted reforms. The subject of Finance was chosen, as it is a crucial factor for economic development and skilled graduates in this field are coveted by the business community and the public sector alike. At the same time studies evidenced a need for reforms with regard to contents, teaching methodologies and the labour market relevance of study programmes. Against this background the specific project objectives were: 1) To reform six existing MA curricula in Finance taking into account the latest international developments in the subject area; 2) To promote the quality and relevance of the MA programmes through the development of updated and new course materials; 3) To further develop the competences and skills of teaching staff through training courses in innovative teaching methodologies and current topics in Finance; 4) To increase the alignment of the MA programmes with labour market requirements. The following core outputs and results were produced during the implementation:- 6 specific guidelines for the reform of the MA programmes; - 6 reformed curricula in Finance (for 109 students in the first cohort and 110 students in the second cohort); - Updated and newly developed teaching materials (48 courses); - 2 intensive training courses for university teachers (48 trained teachers); - 6 career guidance events for students (in cooperation with labour market representatives); - Regular internal and external quality control reports on the outputs/results; - 6 sustainability strategies for the reformed MA programmes; - A project website; - 4 local dissemination workshops (in total 122 participants); - 2 final exploitation conferences (in total 184 participants); - 16 follow-up cooperation arrangements among the consortium HEIs; - 15 follow-up cooperation arrangements between the Partner Country HEIs and industry representatives from the financial sectors in Armenia and Moldova. Selected impacts of the project:- The quality and labour market relevance of 6 MA programmes in Finance in Armenia and Moldova was increased; - The latest international trends in the subject area were incorporated in the programmes (curricula, courses); - The use of teaching methodologies was diversified (trained teachers, new course materials); - The profile of graduates is better aligned with labour market demands (developed competences, skills); - Enhanced competitiveness of the Partner Country HEIs through reformed MA programmes and outreach activities; - Closer ties between HEIs and industry representatives; - Sustainable cooperation among the consortium HEIs (follow-up cooperation agreements and spin-off initiatives).

Quantum Technology (QT) is an emerging field with a heavy volume of investments globally – private (Google, IBM, Toshiba) and public (Canada, U.S., and EU with its 1 billion EUR Quantum Flagship). Among the most evident benefits provided by QT are highly efficient quantum computers decreasing ICT energy consumption and footprint, and boosting Artificial Intelligence and Big Data applications for improved economic efficiency, health, safety. At the same time, Quantum Information Science is a rapidly evolving discipline with many research challenges, making the observation of quantum components a very actual task. The Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University from Armenia is a national leader in Nanotechnology, Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics. The NanoQIQO Twinning project is initiated by RAU to enhance the research excellence, increase international visibility and open new prospects of research collaboration, including participation in EU-funded projects. The project will create a functional research network between RAU and two international leaders in the field of material science, quantum mechanics and quantum optics - University of Hamburg (Germany) and University of Patras (Greece). NanoQIQO project will include (i) short term exchanges of established researchers with regard to nanomaterials for quantum information and quantum optics; (ii) trainings for early-stage researchers to improve the career prospects; (iii) dissemination and communication campaign to raise RAU’s research profile and enhance the networking with international research community and stakeholders (iv) development of research management and administration skills in the RAU through upgrading of its Department of International Cooperation. As a result of the project implementation, the RAU will boost its scientific and technological capacity, strengthen reputation and improve competitiveness, contributing together with the partners to the global progress in Quantum Technologies.