Search for European Projects

Higher education student and staff mobility project
Start date: Jun 1, 2014, End date: May 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Erasmus+ mobility for students, faculty and staff provide unique opportunities for learning and knowledge-sharing with a focus on the European region. In 2012, Södertörn University developed a new policy for internationalisation, emphasising the importance of learning environments where ideas, knowledge and experiences can be exchanged. Following this, and in order to meet the needs of a global labour market and contribute to the European cultural understanding and integration process, it is imperative that students are given well suited options to carry out a part of their education abroad. Integral to the project is also staff and teacher exchange, which further increases the institutions capacity for international cooperation as it supports the development of best-practice, up-to-date analysis and international networking. The objectives of the project can be described as twofold: to give individual students, faculty and other staff members the possibility of increased international experience and training, but also to strengthen the institution’s cooperation and partnerships with other higher education institutions in the European region. The overall purpose of these activities is to further enhance the quality of research and education, and to prepare students and scholars alike for work in an international setting. The largest group to participate in Erasmus+ mobility were students studying one or two terms at an Erasmus+ partner institution. While the overall marketing of Erasmus+ exchange studies has been successful, the recruitment of outbound exchange students is also dependent on the course offerings and language options at partner institutions. Therefore, we are continuously looking for ways to find new partners with suitable course offerings and at the same time working to include mobility windows in all study programmes. The second largest group to participate were employees taking the opportunity to go on staff exchange, many of them engaged in student support activities at their home institution. At the same time, staff mobility for teaching and student mobility for training remains on a rather low level. Barriers that have been identified when it comes to staff mobility for teaching are primarily related to time issues and an already tight teaching schedule, whereas lack of knowledge and few study programmes with an integrated traineeship might have been an issue for student mobility for training. Activities to support the mobility of individuals and their learning outcomes included orientation week for incoming international students, preparation seminar for outgoing students, homecoming and departure events as well as an International Day where students were encouraged to apply for studies or a traineeship abroad. Likewise, guidance and support meetings with individual students and staff members were offered throughout the year. The International Office also works together with the Student Union's International Committee to arrange social activities for incoming international students, and as shown in the report, incoming exchange students report that they have felt very well integrated during their study period at Södertörn University. Moreover, the International Coordinator has held regular information sessions for faculty and other staff members regarding staff exchange opportunities and worked closely together with departmental contact persons in order to create good learning and teaching opportunities for incoming staff. Other important activities were of course meetings and contacts with the Erasmus+ partner institutions, both in the form of individual partner university visits and scheduled meetings during networking conferences. As shown in the Erasmus Survey compilation, students are overall very satisfied with the academic content and student life connected to the mobility period. In general, the participants report very high on their personal development as a result of the mobility. While the quantitative goals set for outbound mobility were ambitious and based on the institutions strive for increased mobility it seems that this year's project has seen a decline in outbound student mobility for studies. However, when analysed in relation to the years before and after, the downfall appears to only be temporary. On the positive side, staff mobility for training has severely increased. Erasmus+ mobility for different purposes is a highly valued and integral part of the institutions internationalisation agenda. The availability of Erasmus+ scholarships means that finance does not have to be a barrier for international experience and cooperation. Although it is probably too early to conclude on the long-term benefits at this stage, it is already evident that different kinds of Erasmus+ mobility strengthens the professional growth of individual participants as well as the quality assurance and development in education and research.

Looking for a partnership?
Have a look at
Ma Région Sud!
https://maregionsud.up2europe.eu

Coordinator

Details