PoSIG is the result of a collaboration started by the Political Science Department at the University of Salzburg, with support from the Austrian Development Agency and the Erasmus Mundus SIMA and SIGMA agile programmes. Since 2008, more and more student and staff grants have been helping academics from the Western Balkans to study and research at the University of Salzburg. Working together on teaching and research has led to a shared ambition for more intense cooperation between universities in the region. The fact that this cooperation is generic has created a solid base for it.
The joint Erasmus+ Project: “Curriculum Development joint European Political Science MA (EuroPS)” led by the University of Salzburg – Department of Political Science and Sociology, developed a joint/multiple MA in Political Science to be accredited at all project partner and the development of a multilateral management of this MA. The project (No. 561485-EPP-1-2015—1-AT-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) set up a joint/multiple MA in Political Science (120 ECTS) with a diploma supplement from all partners, based on European accreditation and European Standards and Guidelines. It’s a modernisation and Europeanisation project, and it supports, reflects and develops standards at EU and Western Balkan partners, encouraging regular academic exchange of good practice and sustainable networking between EU-WB partners, especially between WB.The project was implemented successfully between October 2015 and September 2017.
The consortium kicked off the first intake of students on the joint MA programme in Political Science – Integration & Governance in February 2017, and has been taking in new students ever since.
The PoSIG’s plan to work on an integrated approach for integration and governance capacity development fits really well with the needs of the Western Balkan region as a region of political transformation. The same thing was true for the Eastern Neighbourhood region, where the programme attracted students from this area. Thanks to Erasmus+ KA 107 and KA 171 grant resources, students and staff from these universities have also taken part in PoSIG activities. Since 2019, students from the Eastern Neighbourhood and Lebanon have successfully applied for PoSIG placements, and the annual PoSIG Teacher Academies, first set up in the EuroPS project in 2016, have seen an increasing number of professors from these universities.
Then, with the Erasmus+ CBHE JoPScip project, partner universities from Armenia and Georgia joined the PoSIG consortium in 2024, which should lead to an extended European Accreditation by AQ Austria from the academic year 2025/26. The continued cooperation in student and staff exchange has created a strong generic basis for institutional cooperation.
The PoSIG consortium is also including universities from Central Asia and the South Mediterranean cooperation as associated partners to joint activities.
The following timeline details the key developments in the history of the PoSIG programme.
The consortium of JoPScip Erasmus+ CBHE Project is preparing the application of the project between 15-20 December.
Partner universities signing the contract about enlargement of the PoSIG consortium at the University of Sarajevo (UNSA).
PoSIG Teacher Academy 2023 on Resilience amidst Conflicts: Migration, Gender and Governance was held between 25-29 April in Salzburg. The PoSIG community 2023 includes Albania, Armenia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzogovina, Georgia, Italy, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Montenegro and Ukraine.
PoSIG Teacher Academy 2022 was held on Trade Policy in the Age of Populism netween 4-8 July in Salzburg. The PoSIG network is growing with partner from Albania, Armenia, Aserbaidschan, Bosnia, Georgia, Italy, Kyrgisia, Montenegro, North Makedonia, Lebanon and Ukraine.
PoSIG Teacher Academy 2019 was held between 4-12 April 2019. The topic of this year’s academy is the EU Neighbourhood Policy from outside Perspective discussed by teaching staff from PoSIG partners and partners from the Eastern Neighbourhood region. Many ideas for research and new innovative teaching on the way with professors…Read More
The PoSIG Master students had an official visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna. Students engaged in a constructive discussion with Mr. Thomas Mühlmann, who is head of the Western Balkan unit of the ministry. In addition, PoSIG students were received by the OEAD (Österreichischer Austauschdienst). As part…Read More
Our international Joint MA in Political Science – Integration & Governance is just ist starting call 2019. Students with BA in Political Science or IR and at least 15 ECTS education in methodology are welcome as the the new PoSIGer generation starting in 2019/20. The first year of study will…Read More
On 27th of April at the University of Salzburg, Department of Political Science was held a meeting between students, academics and Mr. Johannes Hahn Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement. The discussion was opened by Prof. Reinhard Heinisch, Head of Department and followed by Dr Franz Kok, Executive Director…Read More
A nice memory from the Teachers Training held this week at the Department of Political Science in Salzburg. The Teachers Training helped to share PoSIG experience as a Joint Master Degree and served as the initial step towards a publication in Populism in Neighbouring Countries. Colleagues from the Balkans, Black…Read More
The consortium of EuroPS has now opened up the first admission applications for Joint Master in Political Science – Integration and Governance (PoSIG). PoSIG is highly student centred with a consistent focus on learning outcomes and competences. PoSIG is addressed to all international students who have a BA Political Science…Read More
