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Mobility of higher education students and staff supported by internal policy funds (KA131-HED) - Coordinator: BAUHAUS-UNIVERSITAET WEIMAR

2023-1-DE01-KA131-HED-0001158812023Mobility of higher education students and stafffinalized
Countries: DE|AL|AT|BE|BR|BG|HR|CZ|DK|EE|FI|FR|EL|HU|IS|IE|IT|LV|LT|MT|NL|NO|PL|PT|RO|RS|SK|ES|SE|TR|UK · Grant: €738,623.44

Objectives

The project was designed to facilitate the mobility of students and staff within and between Erasmus Programme countries. The main focus was on student mobility for study purposes, while internships for students were organized through the consortium “EU Internships Thuringia” at the Technical University in Ilmenau. In addition, staff mobility was equally used for teaching (STA) and training purposes (STT). Special emphasis was placed on actively involving administrative staff. By participating in training and language programmes, they were empowered to directly contribute to the university’s internationalisation efforts and to improve their ability to support international guests through enhanced English language skills. This is particularly important at a university where around 27% of the student body comes from abroad: not only academic staff, but also the administration must be able to respond adequately to the needs of a diverse target group. To a limited extent, STA2 mobilities could also be carried out, contributing to the deepening and expansion of existing international partnerships. The overarching goals were to enhance excellence in teaching, learning, and university administration at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and to implement the institutional internationalisation strategy in a consistent way. The project aimed to offer as many university members as possible the opportunity to participate in high-quality exchange and training experiences in order to support their academic and personal development. By specifically promoting mobility, the project sought to increase the university’s international visibility, build sustainable cooperation with partner institutions, and provide valuable intercultural learning experiences. At the centre of these efforts was the goal of enabling students to undertake study periods abroad that not only strengthen their academic qualifications but also foster key competences such as language proficiency, intercultural sensitivity, adaptability, and independence. For staff members, teaching and training mobilities offered the chance to learn about good practices in the international higher education context, to expand their teaching methods and administrative skills, and to apply these experiences upon returning to their home institution. This was intended to generate sustainable added value for the university as a whole. The mobility activities were also understood as a contribution to the core Erasmus+ priorities: promoting inclusion and diversity, advancing the digital transition, raising awareness for sustainability and “Green Erasmus,” and fostering active participation in the European Higher Education Area. In particular, exchanges with partners from different countries were seen as an opportunity to integrate Bauhaus-Universität Weimar into a dynamic network of European universities, thereby strengthening the competitiveness and attractiveness of Weimar as a place to study and work. At the same time, the project faced certain challenges. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated travel restrictions led in some cases to delays, cancellations, and uncertainties in planning. Nevertheless, mobilities in all areas were successfully implemented and the project’s objectives were at least partially achieved. This experience highlighted the importance of flexibility, digital alternatives, and a strong network of partner universities in order to maintain international mobility even under difficult circumstances. Overall, the project was aimed at providing members of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar with valuable academic, professional, and personal development opportunities, strengthening the university’s internationalisation in a sustainable way, and actively fostering European cooperation in higher education through mobility.

Project partners (1)