Institutional SupportInstitutional Support: Universities
American University in Bulgaria
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) is a highly selective, private, residential university that offers a four-year, undergraduate education and awards baccalaureate degrees. It provides an American-style, liberal arts education in the English language to students primarily from South Eastern Europe. AUBG's mission is to educate future leaders committed to serving the needs of the region by promoting the values of an open, democratic society. The university also promotes educational outreach programs to serve the wider community.
American University–Central Asia
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The American University–Central Asia (AUCA), founded on the basis of the Kyrgyz-American Faculty of the Kyrgyz State National University, is an American-style liberal arts university offering core undergraduate programs. AUCA was established with support from the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the U.S. Department of State, and the Open Society Institute. HESP provides support for student scholarships and running costs.
European Humanities University-International (EHU-International)
Vilnius,
Lithuania
European Humanities University-International is a successor of the European Humanities University in Minsk. The new University was established in October 2004, when it became clear that its predecessor, European Humanities University, would have to discontinue its educational services. EHU was forced to end its activities because its independent and western-style teaching conflicted with the education approach promoted by the current government. The new university has been created in Lithuania and will continue offering educational services to the faculty and students of EHU and other institutions. Initially, the university will offer part-time, distance learning programs, but it is working to create full-time educational programs. As the new university begins its activities, HESP recommends visiting their website, www.ehu.lt, for latest news and updates about new programs and opportunities. HESP provides support to EHU students to complete their degree at its network institutions and will continue to assist EHU through its transition.
European University at St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Russia
The European University at St. Petersburg (EUSP) is an independent university that offers masters- and doctoral-level training in history, sociology, political science, ethnology, and economics. Drawing on St. Petersburg's historical role as a crossroads between Russian and Western traditions, EUSP aims to enhance intellectual openness and to integrate the Russian scholarly tradition with modern Western trends. HESP provides merit-based and means-tested student scholarships, which are structured to encourage recruitment of students from the Russian provinces and the NIS. HESP supports EUSP through joint funding with the Ford and MacArthur foundations.
New Bulgarian University
Sofia, Bulgaria
The New Bulgarian University (NBU) is a nonstate, academic institution. NBU awards degrees in a wide range of fields through its three schools: the School of Basic Education, the Undergraduate School, and the Graduate School. NBU also offers a number of certificate programs through the Center for Continuing Education, the School of Management, and the Center for Foreign Languages. HESP provides means-tested scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students from Sofia and provincial Bulgaria. NBU receives support from the European Union, the Foundation "Civil Society Development," and other local and international organizations.
Smolny College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
St. Petersburg, Russia
Smolny College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, founded jointly by Bard College (USA) and St. Petersburg State University, offers a four-year undergraduate program, built on the principles of liberal arts education. The innovative interdisciplinary curriculum offers courses in humanities, social sciences, and arts; emphasis is placed on students’ autonomy in developing individual courses of study and in using interactive methods of teaching and learning, with the aim of developing critical and creative thinking skills. In June 2003, the first dual B.A. degrees from St. Petersburg State University and Bard College were granted to Smolny College graduates. HESP supports students from the Russian provinces.
South East European University
Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia
The South East European (SEE) University was established on the initiation of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities. SEE University was created to play a leading role in the development of modern higher education in the Republic of Macedonia and in the Balkans. SEE is the first university in Macedonia to offer all of its study programs in the Albanian language, although students can choose to study in Macedonian. All students learn the English language (and/or French or German per individual choice) to facilitate teaching in English by visiting lecturers. The university receives support from USAID, the European Union, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and many other international donors. HESP contributed to the running costs of the university and currently provides support for SEE students in the form of scholarships through joint grants with the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Swiss Development Cooperation.
Vidzeme University College
Valmiera, Latvia
Vidzeme University College (VUC) is a new regional college founded by eight local governments of the Vidzeme region in Latvia, and the Lillehammer College in Norway. VUC offers first-degree programs in tourism organization and management, economics and business administration, political science, psychology, and public relations. The structure of the programs follows the Nordic regional college tradition, combining a two-year major program with one or two minors. HESP funds the development of an M.A. program in political science. HESP also contributes to student scholarships and VUC faculty development.
