ERASMUS POLICY STATEMENT

Transcription

1 ERASMUS POLICY STATEMENT Please describe your institution's international (EU and non-eu) strategy. In your description please explain a) how you choose your partners, b) in which geographical area(s) and c) the most important objectives and target groups of your mobility activities (with regard to staff and students in first, second and third cycles, including study and training, and short cycles). If applicable, also explain how your institution participates in the development of double/multiple/joint degrees: Internationalization is one of our university s key objectives., The University Senate adopted several University Acts in 2014 through the -"Strengthening of Internationalization Policies at Universities in Serbia'' (SIPUS) Tempus project in order to promote and support internationalization, namely the Internationalization Strategy, Internationalization Action Plan, as well as Mobility Strategy, Mobility Action Plan, and Rule book on Students Mobility. Based on the Internationalization Strategy framework, our vision and our mission are to contribute to society in a responsible manner, for which we have established three core internationalization objectives: to establish ourselves as the leading Serbian university in terms of international cooperation to become one of the leaders in Higher Education (HE) Internationalization in the Balkans to be a respectable contributor to Internationalization efforts in HE in Europe and beyond In order to meet the aforementioned internationalization objectives, we have developed five strategic long-term programmes: 1. Programme standardization based on international norms and requirements 2. Development and deployment of student mobility programmes 3. Development and deployment of staff mobility programmes 4. Development and deployment of joint degree / double degree programmes 5. Participation in joint educational / research projects When selecting our partners, we seek to establish partnerships which bring about mutual benefit and improve the institution's performance and competitiveness by using of the following criteria: study programmes compatibility, potentials for joint degree programs developments, knowledge exchange; common values and ethical work principles. We also rely on the previous cooperation experience that we have gained though different types of projects, and seek to continue and expand the existing collaboration.

2 Based on the existing collaboration and good experiences we have had so far, our target geographical areas are: 1) Southeast and Central Europe: Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, and Cyprus. 2) Baltic Countries: Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia 2) West European countries: France and Portugal 2) Russia and Ukraine In the past years we have been mainly focused on Student and Staff (Teaching and Administrative) Mobility and Capacity Building in Higher Education projects. We believe that promoting international experiences and developing international competencies of our students and staff are essential for enhancing international competitiveness. Mobility flows have tripled in the past three years, and mobility still remains one of our internationalization top priorities, especially student mobility. In the future we are planning to further increase the number of outgoing students on all three levels of studies, but also to host more incoming students both from Programme and Partner countries. We also consider that increased staff exchange in general, and academic and research scientific staff in particular, will strongly contribute to the improvement of professional competencies. Upon return from their exchange programmes, outgoing staff will contribute to enhancing the overall quality of the teaching process, as well as the programmes themselves. Incoming exchange staff will directly contribute to the dissemination of their own best practices in the teaching and research process. Our aim is to provide all the necessary conditions for outgoing and incoming staff, with emphasis being placed on the academic staff. The University will invest all their efforts in providing the relevant contact data at partner universities. In addition, it will provide all available information related to funding opportunities of such exchange programmes (Erasmus +, Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and others.). Based on the positive experiences with Austrian- Serbian Bachelor programme in Tourism and Leisure Management - Singidunum University and IMC University of Applied Sciences, Krems, Austria, the University will endeavor to further deepen such cooperation with other reputable foreign universities. The focus will be on the development of joint degree and double degree programmes in the areas of social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, technical and technological sciences, at all three levels of study (undergraduate, master's and doctoral studies). In the future, the University will look for and evaluate all opportunities for establishing additional joint degree / double degree programmes with the universities in the European Union and beyond. Please describe your institution's strategy for the organisation and implementation of international (EU and non-eu) cooperation projects within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme. If not applicable, please explain:

3 According to previous experiences and practices, the University will attempt to foster continuous participation in international projects as related to educational advancements and scientific research. Together with our current and future partners, we will look for and apply for all relevant programmes relating to our professional activities. In addition, the University will take into consideration all other possibilities for participating in international projects dealing with challenges in education and research. The results that have been achieved through the Tempus programme and the current Erasmus + Capacity Building Projects have met the expectations and have contributed greatly and noticeably to the improvement of our professional practice and cooperation with partner institutions. Thus, we believe future cooperation on projects within the framework of Erasmus+ Programme will help us modernize our technology of work, technical infrastructure, and improve overall institutional capacity for university processes development, as well as potential for international cooperation. The Singidunum University strategy for the organization and implementation of international (EU and non-eu) cooperation projects follows the types of cooperation projects relevant for higher education. In the following period, we will focus our efforts on students and staff mobility, both qualitatively and quantitatively. By demonstrating a fully developed capability of our students and staff to study, work, and teach in English, we have a plan to significantly improve the number of incoming and outgoing mobilities, under the Key Action 1 of the Erasmus+ Programme. On the other hand, we are ready to transfer our knowledge and best practices to universities from other Partner Countries, under the Key Action 2 of the Erasmus+ Programme (CBHE). Using developed connections with higher education institutions from the Partner countries that are in the beginning stages of the Bologna reforms, we can help them improve their capacities, academic practices, and administrative processes on an institutional level. We are also a valuable partner through other actions under the KA2 of the Erasmus+ programme, bearing in mind our well-developed connections with employers, national government bodies, secondary schools, and other organizations. Our Project office is part of the International cooperation office, and gathers experienced project managers and project administrators. It demonstrates our developed capacity for dealing with the programme and administration challenges of simultaneous implementation of several different projects, high number of mobilities, and other initiatives and activities connected to the Erasmus+ Programme. Please explain the expected impact of your participation in the Erasmus+ Programme on the modernisation of your institution. Please refer to each of the priorities of the renewed EU Agenda for higher education as well as the goals towards a European Education Area* and explain the policy objectives you intend to pursue: We are strongly committed to the European Area of Education goals, with a particular focus on: -Making mobility a reality for all - Mobility programs are the main priority of our international cooperation policy. Erasmus+ programme support is crucial for us in this sense. -The mutual recognition of diplomas all study programmes are developed and accredited according to the Bologna declaration principles and ECTS system. The study programs are harmonized with the European standards regarding enrollment, duration of studies, conditions for transition to next year, acquisition of diploma, and modes of studying.

4 -Improving language learning - Our students have mandatory courses in two foreign languages. Upon graduation, they should use English at a C1 level, and a second language at a B1 level. By enhancing student mobility activities under Key Action 1 of Erasmus+ programme, we foresee our students further improving their language skills. -Promoting lifelong learning is another part of our university portfolio. In addition to the accredited 3 level studies, we offer educational programmes through the Singidunum University Institute for experienced professionals, job seekers, and career changers. We also address our policy responses to the priorities of the Renewed EU Agenda for Higher Education: 1. Tackling future skills mismatches and promoting excellence in skills development. Having cooperation contracts with more than 400 companies from different industries, we are able to receive feedback on their labor needs on a daily level. Moreover, these companies send their inputs on current needs and feedback on the candidates from our institution. It helps us to use that information for curricula development and course design. Practical learning through student internships is another way of helping students develop their competences according to the labor market trends and needs. All our study programs include an obligatory student internship during their final year of studies. Beyond the aforementioned, many students attend voluntary internships during their junior year of studies. The internship feedback provided by students and employers is part of a student s portfolio, and is recognized as a part of the student Diploma Supplement. Our efforts in this area can be additionally recognized and supported under the Key Action 2 of Erasmus+ programme. 2. Building inclusive and connected higher education systems Singidunum University is internationally recognized as an institution dedicated to student-centered learning principles (according to the European project PASCL - Peer Assessment of Student Centered Learning). We tend to apply an individual approach when working with students, especially with those with social, economic or health challenges and limitations. Focusing on their needs, we are flexible in terms of timelines requirements, course schedules, study period dynamics, etc. Our open source online portal Singipedia ( contains all the books used at the University, scientific papers from our scientific journals, graduate, MSc and PhD theses, etc. That way, we contribute to the European level initiatives on open source educational and scientific contents development. 3. Ensuring higher education institutions contribute to innovation Singidunum University continuously invests in the scientific work of its academics and scientists. As an organizer of three annual international scientific conferences, the University gathers scientists from various countries, thus providing an opportunity to make connections, share knowledge, and research results. Our professors work closely with companies on research and innovation projects. Through their student research and final theses writing, MSc and PhD students are able to participate in some of the projects and cooperation initiatives.

5 4. Supporting effective and efficient higher education systems. Dedicated to the EU vision of becoming a higher education institution effective in education, research and innovation and connected to our society, we are ready to participate in various European level initiatives aimed at supporting efficient and effective higher education systems development. Emphasizing our developed cooperation capacities, Singidunum University will invest its resources in mobility enhancement, standardization in the area of electronic exchange of student data, electronic Diploma supplement development, further curricula, and teaching methods. The future impact of Erasmus+ programme on our institution can be seen in increased number of mobilities, further development of our study programmes, improved quality of practical learning, research and innovation capacity development, and partnership capacity improvement. It can be achieved by our active participation in projects and initiatives under the KA1 and KA2 actions of Erasmus+ programme.

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