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Higher education student and staff mobility projec..
Higher education student and staff mobility project
Start date: Jun 1, 2014,
End date: May 31, 2016
PROJECT
FINISHED
Inholland University of Applied Sciences has put Internationalisation back on the agenda, after several years of primary focus on quality improvement of curricula of its Bachelor programs, a process which went hand in hand with two reorganisations and declining numbers of the total student population. This summary should be read in this context, but having said that, Inholland has managed to work hard on internationalisation despite the less favourable conditions mentioned. However, the tide has turned, meaning that internationalisation is part of the new Institutional Strategic Plan 2016, resulting amongst other things on a new Internationalisation policy plan. This being in line with national policy (Ministry of Education, Culture&Science: Letter on the governments vision on the international dimension of higher education, `Into the World`, 2014)
1.Context and background of this project: with this project we support learners, both students and staff, in the acquisition of learning outcomes with the intention to support their employability in the European labour market, thus supporting our Internationalization strategy. Objectives (qualitative and in general): the strategy of our institution focuses amongst other things, on offering a learning environment in which students can obtain the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are needed to be able to operate as a professional in the dynamic, complex and increasingly international and culturally diverse society. The aim of this strategy is realized through amongst others: a. internationally and cross-culturally competent teaching staff and b. opportunities and stimuli for students to experience a meaningful international experience abroad. Thus, mobility is an important tool to help developing cross cultural competencies in students and staff, necessary for them in order to be able to develop their personality, their involvement as citizens as well as employability in the European labour market. 2. Structure: as Inholland University of Applied Sciences serves almost 28.000 students in six faculties on several locations the organizational structure of Internationalisation is organised as follows: the six faculties of Inholland are responsible for the implementation of their own Internationalisation policy, however always referring to the framework of the general Internationalisation Policy of our institution. The structure for the implementation and organisation of this project consists of the cooperation of two central units a. International Offices (operational part as well as advisory function) and Centre for Educational Policy (policy part: International advisor and Institutional Erasmus coordinator) ) with b. the international policy advisors and international coordinators of the six faculties. Internal communication towards students and staff is realized through meetings with international coordinators and a platform meeting (in the specific case of one faculty), as well as through information session and front office information.
2.Qualitative objectives met were: complete EC guide (content wise), predeparture information and preparation for students (inbound and outbound), the establishment of inter-institutional agreements and LA’s as well as OLS in the new Erasmus+ format, providing students and staff as much information as possible on the new systems and formats, good integration tools for inbound participants through introduction weeks and extra lessons on Culture and Language, including individual guidance by international coordinators of the faculties, mentoring during mobility as well as approval of LA’s and dissemination after mobility. The quantitative objectives were partially met due to the effects of two reorganisations. However, 112 students from the fall semester of 2015-2016 were added to the budget as higher numbers are expected for 2015-2016 and beyond. 3. Activities were carried out and results achieved regarding: a. reduction of and concentration of partnerships following the line of quality management, next to further building up cooperations through projects, International weeks and teachermobility. b. special attention was given to the correct implementation of all Erasmus+ formats and regulations regarding the intern-institutional agreements, LA's en the implementation of the OLS system. c.promotion of mobility activities concentrating on students in a proactive way, whereas staff was stimulated more indirectly due to reasons of reduction in staff. 4. Impact attained: As mentioned previously, priority was given to the development of qualitatively strong Bachelor´s programs instead of constant stimulation of mobility. However, results of the reports from students and staff certainly show the positive impact on the development of professional skills due to mobility, next to highly satisfied students and staff about their experience abroad.