Summer School Sustainability in the MIddLe East (SMILE)

The intensive, transdisciplinary, and interdisciplinary five-day program will take place in Bern in September 2025.

SMILE is open to 15 advanced bachelor and master students from different academic backgrounds (Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, anthropology, geography). Participants are expected to engage actively in all sessions and contribute to group projects. The program will be conducted in English, and participants should have a good command of the language. The activities developed during the Summer School will impact on the empowerment of learners as globally engaged citizens with state-of-the art knowledge and practicle skills to tackle issues of sustainability in the Middle East. Having a transdisciplinary and holistic understanding of sustainability in the Middle East will enhance their chances on the job market inside and outside academia. Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of SMILE will allow each student to contribute with the specific expertise of their own discipline to their peers, creating a cooperative learning community, increasing their self-confidence as experts of one specific field, and showing them the necessity to work in an inter- and transdisciplinary way to address global challenges. SMILE will also impact the work on the scholars involved, offering opportunities to synergize their researches and increase their innovation potential through international, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration.

Content

The program will explore the topic of sustainable development focusing on three main areas: education, social inequalities, and environmental challenges.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to critically analyze sustainability challenges specific to the Middle East and evaluate initiatives from regional and international organizations addressing the three core issues of the course: education, social inequalities, and environmental challenges. For example, they will be able to assess the influence of digitalization on access to education and knowledge dissemination and assess strategies to foster gender inclusion and reduce societal inequalities. Additionally, students will be able to investigate environmental challenges such as land degradation and water scarcity. Through challenge-based project work, they will develop the ability to collaborate, think critically, and apply innovative approaches to real-world sustainability problems.

Programme

Day 1: Sustainability in the Middle East

Introduction to the three key areas of the Summer School, followed by interactive sessions with organizations from Switzerland and beyond, showcasing the impact of their work in sustainability.

Day 2: Education - Access to Knowledge and Digitalization

Investigation of the role of education in sustainable development in the Middle East

Focus on access to knowledge and the impact of digitalization.

Day 3: Reducing Inequalities - Gender Inclusion and Societal Transformations

Examination of gender inclusion from a socio-legal perspective.

Exploration of broader societal transformations and debates to reduce inequalities and foster more inclusive communities.

Day 4: Environmental Issues - Land and Water

Analysis of environmental challenges, including land degradation and water scarcity.

Discussion on sustainable management strategies for land and water.

Day 5: Challenge-based learning/project work

Assessment

Assessments will be designed to evaluate both individual (active participation in discussions) and collaborative contributions (project works), and will include the evaluation of a report produced by the students after the completion of the Summer School, on the basis of the project work started on day five.

Students will received a grade according to the evaluation system applied by the University of Bern (grades from 1 to 6).

Lecturers

• Prof. Dr. Nijmi Edres (University of Bern)
• Prof. Dr. Aymon Kreil (University of Ghent)
• Prof. Dr. Riem Spielhaus (University of Göttingen)

Course dates

On-site: 1 - 5 September 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed), in Bern

Entry requirements: advanced bachelor and master students in the fields of Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies, Anthropology, History, Geography can attend the course.

Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate, however, priority will be given to students of the Universities of Bern, Ghent and Göttingen. Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place, if other universities do not use all their allocated places.

Please apply using this link: https://forms.gle/aaDpg53QbrZ8cuLe7

Participants having successfully completed the Summer School will receive a Certificate of Attendance with the suggestion to acknowledge the course with 5 ECTS credits. Acknowledgment of the ECTS credits in the study programmes at home universities is the responsibility of the participants.

For information write to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.