Session
✅ Included for all participants
This session will explore how universities in neighbouring regions in Europe navigate the paradox of proximity – where borders both connect and challenge collaboration. Through examples from European border regions, we will examine whether cross-border partnerships can redefine the scale, rhythm and meaning of internationalisation in higher education.
Laurent Cavaignac is Associate Professor in Economics at the University of Perpignan Via Domitia, within the Department of Business Management of the Institute of Technology, and currently serves as Vice-President of the University of Perpignan Via Domitia in charge of international and cross-border relations. He also heads the ACROSS European university alliance for Perpignan, sitting on its Executive Board as work package co-leader and task team leader.
His research expertise spans microeconomics, transport and health economics, productivity and efficiency analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis, and distance functions, reflected in numerous peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Operations Research and Economic Modelling.
Dr. Cavaignac earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Perpignan in 2007 (Summa Cum Laude, Publication Award), following master's degrees in Health Economics (Paris VII) and in Statistics and Econometrics (Toulouse School of Economics). Prior to academia, he worked as a statistician and economist for the French Ministry of Health and the French National Health Insurance System.
Within the university, he previously served as Vice-President for professional integration (2021–2025) and as Head of the Departments of Business Management and Business Techniques.
Liana Berkowitz is Quality Assurance & MEAL Manager for the UNINOVIS European University Alliance at Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, where she supports quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, institutional engagement, and the long-term development of the alliance.
She has more than 20 years of experience in international cooperation in higher education, education and training, with particular expertise in quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, project design, capacity building, international partnerships and programme development. Her work has involved universities, ministries, embassies and international organisations across Europe, Asia and Africa.
Alongside her role at Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Liana works as an international expert for Expertise France, contributing to the EU-funded Twinning projects, where she supports higher education professionals in project quality, impact, monitoring and evaluation. Earlier in her career, she worked extensively in international educational cooperation, including programmes in Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan and Cabo Verde.
She is also actively involved in European higher education networks, including FOREU4ALL, and contributes to exchanges and initiatives on the development, quality and sustainability of European University Alliances.
