Erasmus Charter for Higher Education: strategic and operational underpinnings Raimonda Markeviciene Bonn January 17/18, 2018
EU policy in Higher Education Target - 20% of mobile HE students by 2020 Making Lifelong learning and mobility a reality Education and training responsibility of the member states Member States and the European Commission agreed on 4 priorities until 2020 (ET 2020): Improving quality and efficiency of education and training Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship Fostering creativity and innovation 2
Erasmus roots Education has been on the agenda of the EU since 1950 The first European programme Action programme in education has been launched in 1976 First Erasmus in 1987 exchange of 3244 students among 11 member states
Post-2013 policy support Support of open metod of Coordination ET 2020 EU youth strategy EU transparency tools valorisation implementation Policy dialogue with stakeholders Third countries International organisations
Higher education Post 2013: MORE of everything. In EU Emphasis on academic quality of mobility ; Flexibility (rucksack); better l-ge preparation More & better mobility (63% of the budget) More intense cooperation (25% of the budget) Partnerships; staff exchange; CD; joint delivery including virtual mobility HE modernisation agenda; Implementation of transparency tools; Support of Bologna process More policy support (4% of the budget) More to the rest (8% of the budget) Grants to NA; Administrative expenditures; Jean Monnet initiative; Sports action
State of affairs in 2016 EU tertiary attainment target 40%. Reached 39.1% 44% female 34% male Only 10% of HE students take part in mobility (5% in E+; 5% other possibilities 6
Erasmus strategic tool of EU Based on the EU policies for better integration A tool and means to reach the aims agreed by the EU member states and set into strategic policy document Promotes EU values nondiscrimination, equal opportunities, active citizenship Takes into account country specific aspects, serves for cohesion, improvement of skills, enhancement of employment perspectives Allows reaching to immediate developments and answer challenges (E.g. migration challenges of 2015) reflected in priorities Fosters Bologna Process
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) (2007) - from network-based to open model approach Part 1 Part 2 compliance to 23 main principles that relate to European values and quality aspects of mobility Erasmus policy statement (EPS) Overall internationalisation strategy; how the institution intends to participate in the programme; what will be the expected impact in terms of modernisation agenda
Principles of Erasmus Policy Statement (EPS) Developed at all levels in the institution (rectorate, faculties, international offices) Not all actions have to be undertaken Has to be made visible Changes possible at all times (with prior information to national agency)
Participation in the projects Impact on modernisation Erasmus Policy Statement(Overall Strategy) how you choose your partners Please describe your institution's international (EU and non-eu) strategy. In your description please explain in which geographical area(s) the most important objectives and target groups of mobility activities (staff and students in first, second and third cycles, study and training, and short cycles) 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. Please explain the expected impact of your participation in the Erasmus+ Programme on the modernisation of your institution Please refer to each of the 5 priorities of the Agenda for the Modernisation of Europe's higher education system If applicable, development of double/multiple/joint degrees
Expected institutional impact in the light of priorities of Higher Education Modernisation Agenda 2011 raise attainment levels of graduates; Improve quality and level of higher education strengthen quality through mobility and cross-border cooperation; link higher education, research and business to achieve excellence; improve governance and funding. 2017 tackling future skills mismatches and promoting excellence in skills development; building inclusive and connected higher education systems; ensuring higher education institutions contribute to innovation; supporting effective and efficient higher education systems
What we might have and need for effective Erasmus Policy Statement Is EU strategy for modernisation of HE reflected/consul ted? Institutional strategy Internationalisation Strategy Policy on partnership and with external stakeholders Policy on mobility: exchange degree Strategic partnership with articulated priorities (e.g. Joint degrees) Institutional structures supporting project implementation Geographical priorities, target groups and support measures
Fundamental principles: operational culture of mobility reinforced quality framework Before During After Course catalogue Agreements Preparation of participants Learning agreements Equal academic treatment and services Integration of participants into daily life of HEI Mentoring and support arrangements Recognition based on learning agreement Provision of Transcripts of records Reintegration of mobile participants Assistance i- visa, accommodation, insurance Linguistic support Recognition of staff mobility
Quality of experience and recognition Mobility documents Operational structures Recognition and satisfaction All credits gained during the period of study abroad or during the virtual mobility as agreed in the Learning Agreement and confirmed by the Transcript of Records should be transferred without delay and counted towards the student s degree without any additional work by or assessment of the
The main documents and their impact on the institution Transfer: responsible staff Amend/modify: responsible staff and student Agree and sign: responsible staff and student Learning agreeme nt Transcript of records General information Resources and services Course Catalogue developed according to ECTS recommendations: Available on the web and easily accessible In national language and English Course catalogue Information on programmes Available to students before entering the studies and throughout Detailed and user-friendly information Information on modules/courses
Challenges of implementation and use of the mobility documents HEIs employ the same tools but have different solutions Structures to support social integration CC institutional framework vs effort of every teacher IT solutions for mobility documents (LA, ToR) Safety protocols!
What do we have and what do we need for student mobility Policies on: information provision and quality issues ; tools ECTS, DS; ESG Institutional framework for recognition Transparency of information: academic & administrative Support for traineeship students Student mobility Transparent selection procedures Counseling, language, academic and adm. support Support of outgoing & incoming students Mentor system, orientation, language, accommodation, visa
What do we have and what do we need for staff mobility Administrative support Framework/polic y for transnational cooperation Staff Language courses Staff mobility acknowledgeme nt scheme? Staff training scheme?
Roadmap to the future: what we might need for the future goals after 2020? Towards EUROPEN EDUCATION AREA: Mobility - reality for all (E+ and EU student card) Network of European universities More ambitious Benchmarks for LLL Improving language learning Greater cooperation on curricula development Mainstreaming in novation and digital skills Supporting teachers
Charter for mobility quality and EU integration Good practice The same road Challenges Strict accountability Attractiveness Same principles = expectations Institutional rules Strategic planning Excellence More understanding and convergence EC rules National legal framework More flexibility National rules Performance based allocation of funds
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