UCC internalisation strategy

Internationalisation Strategy
The University of Creative Communication regards internalisation of education and transnational
cooperation as one of its key strategic goals. We understand internalisation as a complex and
comprehensive process, built on three pillars of Transnational Education, Internationalisation of
Curriculum and Internationalisation at Home. As a part of UCC’s overall growth and development,
the ability to be successfully engaged in international cooperation is achieved through the
following strategic objectives:
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To define what internationalisation means for a university which uniquely combines the
artistic and management/marketing curricula
To provide a business decision-making framework to improve UCC’s performance
To establish the measures by which this performance will be judged
To articulate a prioritised set of actions that will be undertaken
A range of qualitative and quantitative measures will be developed so that the progress,
effectiveness and success of individual initiatives can be measure and evaluated. These will be
developed in collaboration with academic and support staff and stakeholders to ensure that a
range of views on what constitutes the criteria are taken into account.
UCC will also work towards making its international activities and qualities more visible by
increasing the amount of English language content on its website and modifying the English
version of the website in order to promote the school’s presence on the international level.
The following operational aims elaborate on UCC’s commitment to internalisation in more detail:
1. Internalisation of Study Programmes
“To increase the number of international students and teaching staff in order to create a
stimulating and sustainable academic environment.”
Providing full-time and part-time students with international experience is a central concern of
UCC. Students are encouraged to take part in the mobility and to participate in the increasing
internalisation at home activities, such as guest lectures, international summer schools and other
short-time mobility options. All these activities aim to increase students’ intercultural
competencies which ensure better job prospects, as studies show.
Selected BA programmes are offered in English-language version to promote student and lecturer
mobility. In MA programmes, the option of joint degrees is being intensely explored at the
moment with a plan to have at least two joint degree agreements signed by 2019 and the
programmes implemented by 2020.
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UCC Internationalisation Strategy © 2017
2. Increasing Student and Staff Mobility
“To increase the outward student and staff mobility in order to disseminate awareness of the
UCC’s academic quality and promote collaboration and innovation.”
In keeping with the renewed Modernisation Agenda for Higher Education in the EU, UCC intends
to gear its internalisation efforts towards increased mobility of students, lecturers, and staff. Apart
from the above mentioned options of student and staff engagement in international activities,
UCC will also offer traineeships as part of the student exchange and is committed to continuously
improve and expand the offer of courses taught primarily in English, both as a part of the English
degree programmes and optional courses in Czech degree programmes. Improving the teaching
conditions and quality of services to enhance the study environment for all students is part of the
overall UCC development plan and includes activities such as increasing the foreign language
competences of the lecturers and staff.
3. Partnerships and Networks
“To establish and develop global partnerships that are solid, sustainable and mutually
beneficial.”
UCC strives to create an attractive network of contacts with transnational, multi-disciplinary
organisations which promote cooperation between educational institutions and enterprises. By
becoming a member of organisations such as EACWP, edcom Institute, and ELIA, UCC wishes to
promote its role as an institution rooted in European values of a shared culture and exchange of
ideas as well as relevant partner for other member organisations.
Beyond Europe and as a part of its long-term strategic plan, UCC aims to build based partnerships
both in the USA and in Asia with compatible institutions sharing our scope and focus. Where
possible, these partnerships will be integrated into existing programmes and networks.
4. International Projects
“To participate in international projects which combine prestige, social responsibility and
promotion of intercultural awareness.”
As a project-oriented institution, UCC chooses carefully in which international projects it will
participate. While the overall goal being to increase UCC’s international reputation, the quality
and level of innovation of the project, its benefits to the community and relevance to the UCC
curriculum are equally significant factors when selecting an international project.
Involvement of academic staff in international projects is also encouraged by UCC as one of the
most important parameters in internal formal evaluation of pedagogical merits and professional
development. Students’ involvement in the international projects is always transferred into clearly
stated and justified credit value and recognized as a study outcome.
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UCC Internationalisation Strategy © 2017