01/12
Third country co-operation :
institutional and country cooperation
Robert Wagenaar
Co-ordinator EM Master Euroculture: Europe in the Wider World
Joint co-ordinator Socrates-Erasmus, Tempus and Alfa TUNING
Consortium:
Projects
Speaker:
Workshop 8 01/12
Neighbourhood Countries and
Western Balkans
Consortium:
Speaker:
Special position of the countries covered
by this working group: all signatories of the
Bologna Declaration.
This implies implementation of the Bologna
Process:
• Quality assurance
• Two-cycle degree system
• Recognition of degrees and period of studies
Consortium:
State of affairs according
to stock tacking report:
Speaker:
Taking Stock
Consortium:
Speaker:
Stock taking criteria
Consortium:
Speaker:
State of affairs
at the Bergen
Conference
2005
Consortium:
Speaker:
State of affairs
at the Bergen
Conference
2005
Consortium:
Speaker:
Topics for Discussion
General topics for discussion
• Setting up of a partnership in the
geographical area: selecting the right
partners, obstacles and constraints, types
of co-operation
• Erasmus Mundus Action 3: added value,
advantages and constraints
Consortium:
Speaker:
Setting up of a partnership
• Best basis:
– Long standing relationship
– Added value for all partners: balanced co-operation
• Obstacles and constraints:
–
–
–
–
Rigid programmes and approaches
Length of mobility period (3 months): dates academic year
Mobility should add to learning outcomes EM programme
Mobility period should respect ECTS features
• Types of co-operation:
– Mobility of students (action 3)
– Preferred partner status
(combining action 2 and 3)
Consortium:
Speaker:
– Mobility of academic staff
(combining action 2 and 3)
Erasmus Mundus Action 3
• Added value
–
–
–
–
–
More prestige for all partners involved
Good basis for sustained cooperation
Making use of strength of partners
Mechanism for scouting excellent third country students
Widening international horizon selected group of
European EM students: getting acquainted to other
cultures and social environments
– Promotion of visibility EC Higher Education Area
Consortium:
Speaker:
Erasmus Mundus Action 3
• Advantages and constraints
Advantages
– Making the EM Master Programme more attractive for
European students
– For region involved: exchanging examples of good
practice concerning the implementation of the
Bologna Process in all its aspects
Constraints
– Fitting in a three months study period in the standard
EM programme
– Language of instruction: English?
– Setting up / organizing the right set of modules at the
third partner institution(s): special courses?
– Financing modules at third partner institution. What to
Consortium:
give in return?
Speaker:
Erasmus Mundus Action 3
• Advantages and constraints
Advantages
– Making the EM Master Programme more attractive for
Key question
European
studentsis:
– For region
involved:
exchanging
examples
of good
Describe
which module(s)
outgoing
European
practice
concerning
of the
Mundus
studentsthe
will implementation
follow at the third-country
Bologna
ProcessGive
in alldetails
its on the prerequisities,
institution(s).
Constraints the content, the acquired competencies and the
learning
outcomes
of these
– Fitting
in a three
months
studymodule(s)
period inindicating
the EM
their value in ECTS credits. Indicate which part
programme
of the
Mundus
carrying
the
– Setting
up Erasmus
/ organizing
the Course
right set
of modules
at the
amount
of ECTS credits
these
modules
third same
partner
institution(s):
special
courses?
replace.
– Financing modules at third partner institution or what
to give in return?
Consortium:
Speaker:
Conclusion
• After Bologna is implemented, it will be easier to set-up cooperation schemes: one EHEA
• Possibilities for co-operation are subject area related: no
general solutions – always tailor made
• Three months period does not fit very well in most cases in
set-up of EM programmes
• Difficult to keep the right balance between outgoing students
and students that stay in Europe
• Replacing modules is an ‘outdated’ approach: focus should
lie on learning outcomes to be met and competences to be
achieved.
• Difficult to define the added value for the third country
Consortium:
partner?
Speaker:
Topics for Further discussion
The key questions:
• The setting up of a partnership in the specific geographical area: building on
established links?
• Obstacles: cultural and language barriers, economic barriers, higher education
systems and standards
• Defining the type and fields of co-operation – transferring know-how or balanced
co-operation?
• How the Erasmus Mundus Programme Action 3 could contribute to strengthen
higher education co-operation with this geographical area, any improvements
needed?
• Higher education funding schemes: bilateral co-operation (Member States) and
other European Union programmes.
• Building on established links: how do you maximise and use the synergies
created to build an Erasmus Mundus partnership/co-operation?
• Explore the potential of improved use of partners and a more constructive
development of European student mobility in regard to issues relating to credits,
assessment, recognition (possible joint degrees with third countries?) and
language
• In view of building an Action 4 partnership: explore the potential of local and
Consortium:
international networks of higher education
Speaker:
• Transferring and adapting good practice across the regions