Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Project “VITAL”
VITAL – Virtual Innovation and Training for Advancing Faculty Leaders, Digital Competencies, and Research Excellence (GA: 101253516) is an international strategic capacity-building initiative funded by a grant from the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange programme. Within the project, TMA participates as a partner organization, and its implementation and coordination on behalf of the Academy are facilitated by the Faculty Development Department and the Research and PhD Department, ensuring strong institutional engagement.
VITAL aims to strengthen the professional development of early-career faculty in Georgia and Ukraine by focusing on 4 main objectives:
- Supporting career development through soft skills and academic leadership training;
- Improving digital competencies through innovative and AI-supported teaching methods;
- Strengthening research capacity through peer mentorship, methodology workshops, and co-authorship opportunities;
- Promoting European values through inclusive leadership and improved institutional policies.
The project is coordinated by the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Spain. VITAL is implemented by an international consortium bringing together partner universities from Spain (University of Santiago de Compostela), Italy (INFOR Elea Smart Business Academy), Ukraine (Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine - IFBG, Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine - TNMU), and Georgia (Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy - TMA, Business and Technology University - BTU).
Kick-Off Meeting (February 2026)
From February 23–26, 2026, Tbilisi Medical Academy hosted the official kick-off meeting of the project “VITAL – Virtual Innovation and Training for Advancing Faculty Leaders, Digital Competencies, and Research Excellence.” The initiative is funded under the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange programme and coordinated by the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). The four-day meeting, held at TMA, marked the official launch of this three-year project, lays the foundation for a coordinated start of the project, and supports its successful implementation.
The VITAL project is implemented by an international consortium bringing together six partner institutions from four countries:
- Spain: University of Santiago de Compostela (USC)
- Italy: INFOR Elea Smart Business Academy (INFOR Elea)
- Ukraine: Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IFBG)
- Ukraine: Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU)
- Georgia: Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA)
- Georgia: Business and Technology University (BTU)
The project aims to mentor and empower early-career and junior faculty members at higher education institutions in Georgia and Ukraine in the following areas:
- Academic leadership
- Digital pedagogy
- Research competencies
https://vital-veproject.eu/eu-funded-vital-project-launched-at-btu/
