Metropolitan International University (MIU), through the efforts of Mr. Kamugisha Nelson, Director of Research and Innovations, has secured participation in the HYGEIA Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project, a prestigious European Union-funded initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare cybersecurity, digital health governance, ethical management of health data, and innovation in higher education across Africa and Europe.
The project, titled “Harmonization of Cybersecurity, Governance and Intelligence for Innovation in Academic Health Education (HYGEIA),” has received an EU contribution of €817,474.65 under the Erasmus+ Programme. Over a 36-month implementation period, the consortium will develop competency-based curricula, digital learning platforms, practical cybersecurity laboratories, modular certification programmes, and innovative teaching methodologies to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals to address emerging cybersecurity and digital health challenges.
A significant milestone for MIU is its appointment as the Lead Institution for Work Package 5: Dissemination and Exploitation. In this strategic role, the University will coordinate the consortium’s communication strategy, stakeholder engagement, dissemination of project outputs, and sustainability initiatives to maximize the project’s long-term impact across participating institutions and beyond.
Beyond leading dissemination activities, MIU will actively contribute to healthcare cybersecurity needs assessments, curriculum design and development, competency-based training programmes, deployment of digital teaching and learning technologies, and collaborative engagements with healthcare institutions, government agencies, researchers, professional bodies, industry stakeholders, and students.
The HYGEIA consortium brings together eleven beneficiary institutions from six countries, reflecting a strong Euro-African partnership committed to advancing digital health education and cybersecurity. The participating institutions include:
- Higher Institute of Communication Technologies of Tunis (ISETCom), Tunisia (Project Coordinator)
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- University of Carthage, Tunisia
- University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
- University of Limoges, France
- Kampala International University, Uganda
- Metropolitan International University, Uganda
- Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria
- National Open University of Nigeria, Nigeria
- University of Douala, Cameroon
- University of Bertoua, Cameroon
The project is further strengthened by the participation of associated partners, including Newcastle University and the Joseph Ukpong Hospital and Research Institute, which will provide specialized expertise in healthcare cybersecurity, digital innovation, and research collaboration.
Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Kamugisha Nelson, Director of Research and Innovations, said:
“Our immediate priority is to establish an effective implementation framework, engage all relevant stakeholders, and ensure the successful delivery of every project milestone. The HYGEIA initiative aligns closely with Metropolitan International University’s strategic vision of advancing research excellence, internationalisation, innovation, and digital transformation. It also creates significant opportunities for staff capacity building, student training, international partnerships, and future collaborative research.”
The successful acquisition of this competitive Erasmus+ project further strengthens Metropolitan International University’s growing reputation as a leading institution in research, innovation, and international collaboration. It underscores the University’s commitment to developing sustainable, technology-driven solutions that address emerging global challenges while contributing meaningfully to the advancement of higher education and healthcare systems across Africa and Europe.