This document describes how to build academic collaborations with other countries over time using small initial projects. It provides the example of collaborations developed in Seychelles through three successive projects of increasing scope and funding over two years. The first project in 2018 was small with few collaborators but allowed introductions. Subsequent projects in 2019 and 2020 were larger in scale and number of collaborators, developing curriculum integrated into national education. It emphasizes finding initial partners to build upon and that the right partner is more important than their title.

1. Build academic collaborations slowly over
time.

2. Example: Building Collaborations in Seychelles
• Small Island Nation in Indian Ocean
• High HDI (.801), but low rates of
innovation/entrepreneurship
• Economy dominated by tourism,
fishing.
Seychelles

3. First Project in Seychelles – May 2018
• US $5000 (from US Department of State), two total collaborators
• Taught single workshop in-country.
• In-country travel allowed for introductions and meetings to build on this project.
Malshi Senaratne
Adjunct Professor
University of Seychelles

4. Second Project in Seychelles – Mar.-Nov. 2019
• US $40,000 (from Seychelles Climate Authority), 5 total collaborators
• Taught three educational workshops in country, researched local
entrepreneurship ecosystem, created media to inform public of
entrepreneurship opportunities.

5. Third Project in Seychelles – Mar.-Dec. 2020
• US $83,000 (Seychelles Climate Authority), 12 total collaborators
• Collaborators include Minister of Education, multiple secondary schools.
• Develop curriculum to be integrated into national educational standards,
deliver Training of Trainers for curriculum facilitators.
• Currently exploring MOU between University of Nebraska and University
of Seychelles.
• Expanding this project beyond the Seychelles:
• Received US $5000 grant to explore similar programming in Mauritius
• Preliminary conversations with Indian Ocean Rim Association for multi-state
programming

6. Closing Thoughts
• The right project partner is more important than their title/position.
• Find initial partnership that works and can be built upon.
Malshi Senaratne
Adjunct Professor
University of Seychelles

7. Thank you!
Andrew Zimbroff, Ph.D.
zimbroff@unl.edu
www.linkedin.con/in/azimbroff
@azimbroff