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Higher education student and staff mobility project
Start date: Jun 1, 2014, End date: Sep 30, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

In today’s globalising society and in European higher education, it is of undeniable importance to a higher education institution to be aware of its international role and position. International and intercultural competences become more important every day. Language and cultural differences must be overcome more than before. It is essential that students develop the necessary skills throughout their educational career to prepare them for a career and life in a multicultural and globalised society. Therefore, as specified in the Erasmus Policy Statement and the general internationalisation strategy, PXL University College will focus on the development of a strong and qualitative international network of higher education institutions, companies and organisations; on the internationalisation of the curricula, and on increasing mobility and qualitative mobility opportunities. PXL expands and strengthens its network of international partnerships, with higher education institutions as well as companies and organisations, based on the strategic priorities of the institution. Partnerships should lead to qualitative cooperation with respect to quality assurance, benchmarking, curriculum development, student and staff mobility, exchange of expertise, research or development cooperation. Special attention is given to regional development and cross-sectorial and interdisciplinary networks and partnerships, to facilitate transfer of knowledge between higher education institutes and public and private organisations. All mobility activities must contribute to the development of the key competencies for tomorrow’s diverse world: innovation, creativity, sustainability, entrepreneurship, flexibility and adaptability, interculturality, … PXL therefore expands and diversifies its mobility opportunities for all students. In order to increase participation and make mobility accessible for all students, having attention for the social dimension and for students with special needs. Mobility will be diversified in format: long-term as well as short-time mobility, international study periods as well as traineeships, intensive programmes, summer schools, joint programmes, …. Besides, PXL focuses on internationalisation@home and virtual international activities as a teaser for mobility, as well as in addition to real life mobility. With respect to the actual project activities, 107 students participated in the project, 75 undertook a mobility period for the purpose of a traineeship, 23 for an international study period. Besides, 23 staff members performed a teaching staff mobility. Regarding the specific target groups, 27 of the 107 mobilities were performed by students with a disadvantaged background. Moreover, 2 of the mobile students were students with special needs, and received a grant for extra support. Students are informed and prepared for mobility in many ways, starting from the beginning of their studies at PXL. As part of their study programme, through a variety of courses and learning activities, students will acquire competences that are important for a successful international mobility period: language competences, intercultural competences, international competences related to their study field etc. The international office together with the international coordinators of the study programmes inform the students and coach them in the process of preparation and application. For this purpose PXL provides information through websites, Facebook, brochures, guidelines, information sessions etc. Problems that arise are solved in direct communication with the student and the host organisation. After the mobility period, full recognition is given to all results and credits obtained abroad, and will be added to the diploma supplement of the student. Apart of the OLS language test and OLS language courses, various language courses, in the curriculum as well as extra-curricular, prepare the students for their mobility period. The impact of mobility on the participants is high, especially with respect to the improvement of competences that are important for tomorrow's society: independence, flexibility, being able to see and respect values of different cultures, being able to adapt to different situations etc. The effect of the mobility of staff goes beyond the individual aspects, it strengthens the international network and corresponding cooperation. The inter-institutional mobility agreements are the basis for qualitative cooperation exceeding mobility activities: they result in cooperation with respect to curriculum development, quality management, research cooperation, … in this way the project has an impact on the institution, its partners and beyond. Activities with regard to traineeships expand to research projects, innovation, entrepreneurship etc., and strengthen the cooperation with companies and organisation, beyond the sector of higher education.

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