12. Five Reflections for the Next Decade

Philip Aka is Professor of Law and a Fulbright Scholar with doctorates in law and political science from US institutions. His work spans law, bioethics, AI, peace studies, and higher education. He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Law and as External Examiner for the Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy at the University of Ghana. His research includes comparative healthcare systems and governance in post-colonial contexts. His forthcoming book, Navigating the Tension Between Sovereignty and Self-determination in Post-Colonial Africa, will be published by Palgrave Macmillan.

Derek Baker is a researcher in solar energy systems and techno-economic analysis. He coordinates the EU Horizon Europe SolarHub project and has led multiple Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe initiatives focused on renewable energy collaboration across European institutions. His work bridges engineering research, international consortium leadership, and clean energy innovation.

Azra Branković is an economist whose academic career has included appointments at the University of Sarajevo, Athens University of Economics and Business, Bocconi University, and ADA University. She has also held leadership roles in public administration and international organizations. Her research focuses on higher education economics, foreign direct investment, SMEs, and institutional development, with particular attention to post-conflict and transitional economies

Eka Gegeshidze is Professor in the School of Business and Administrative Science at the University of Georgia. Her work centers on innovation, entrepreneurship education, and economic development. She has extensive experience in policy design, program budgeting, and higher education accreditation, and has contributed to numerous international projects related to governance, commercialization of innovation, and institutional reform.

Laura Ancona Lee is Professor of Innovation and Creativity and Vice-Rector for International Relations at Universidade Paulista, Brazil, where she also serves as Erasmus Institutional Coordinator. Her work focuses on academic internationalization, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global partnership development. She leads research initiatives on international academic mobility and institutional cooperation.

Christos Michalakelis is a scholar of techno-economic analysis of telecommunications networks with degrees in mathematics, telecommunications management, and software engineering. He heads the “Study in Greece” program promoting internationalization of Greek higher education. His work includes ICT systems design, academic administration, and participation in national and European educational initiatives.

Mbulaheni Nthangeni is a scholar of mathematical statistics and systems engineering with four decades of experience in academia and public service. He has served as Director of the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the University of Limpopo and previously at the University of Cape Town. His public service includes leadership roles at Statistics South Africa and presidency of the South African Statistical Association.

Efthymia Staiou is a faculty member in Industrial Engineering at Yasar University. Her expertise includes quality management, engineering economics, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. She has led and xv Contributorsparticipated in numerous EU-funded projects in regional development, innovation management, and higher education collaboration, and brings extensive experience from both academia and public administration.