On 29 September 2026, the University of Georgia (UG) hosted the final conference of the ENHANCE-GSL project, “Connecting Knowledge and Society: The Changing Role of Universities,” in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The conference brought together more than 100 participants, both on-site and online, including representatives of higher education institutions, civil society organisations and quality assurance bodies from Georgia, Slovakia, Croatia and Sierra Leone. As the concluding event of the project, the conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and lessons learned throughout ENHANCE-GSL, exchange experiences among partners and stakeholders, and discuss the changing role of universities in responding to societal needs and challenges.
Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and examples of good practice shared by partner universities, participants explored different approaches to strengthening university–community partnerships and embedding Community-Engaged Learning and Service-Learning more systematically within higher education. Particular attention was given to the ways in which collaboration between universities and communities can enrich teaching and learning while contributing to meaningful social impact.
Looking beyond the formal completion of the project, the conference also opened an important discussion on sustainability: how the knowledge, capacities, partnerships and practices developed through ENHANCE-GSL can continue to grow within partner institutions. In this way, the final conference marked not only the conclusion of the project, but also a shared commitment to sustaining community engagement as an integral part of contemporary higher education.