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 universities, civil society organisations, and quality assurance bodies from Georgia, Slovakia, Croatia, and Sierra Leone. The event provided a platform to reflect on the project’s achievements, exchange experiences, and explore how higher education institutions can strengthen their engagement with communities through community-engaged learning and service-learning.

Through keynote presentations, discussions, and examples of good practice shared by partner universities, participants explored practical approaches to strengthening university–community partnerships and ensuring that community engagement remains an integral part of higher education beyond the project’s lifetime.

Final conference program

Speaker Presentations

1. Connecting Knowledge and Society: The Changing Role of Universities
2. ENHANCE-GSL From Idea to Impact
3. Engagement in Action at UNIMAK
4. Engage To Empower, The FBC Reality
5. (How) Can Universities Make a Difference in a Changing Society? From Academic Excellence to Meaningful Social Impact
6. Strengthening Local Communities and Ensuring Volunteer Engagement for Sustainable Development 
7. „University–Community Engagement through the Lens of Quality Assurance: The Georgian Experience and the ESG“