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Mobility of higher education students and staff supported by internal policy funds (KA131-HED) - Coordinator: UNIVERZITA KONSTANTINA FILOZOFA V NITRE

2023-1-SK01-KA131-HED-0001304512023Mobility of higher education students and stafffinalized
Countries: SK · Grant: €943,743

Objectives

A key aspect and objective of UKF’s internationalization strategy is the gradual increase in both the number and quality of outgoing and incoming mobility participants – students as well as staff – while fully adhering to the principles of non-discrimination and equal opportunities. In line with this objective, the university systematically expands its network of partner institutions by concluding new inter-institutional agreements with international partners. Through the Erasmus+ programme, we have aimed to achieve the internationalization and modernization of education at UKF. Internationalization, in this context, involves not only expanding the number of mobilities and partner institutions but also enhancing the international dimension of teaching, research, and academic activities, including the integration of international students and staff into the university community. Modernization of education is reflected in the implementation of innovative teaching approaches, the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in teaching, linking theory with practice, and supporting interdisciplinary programs, particularly in STEM fields, culture, tourism, and healthcare. By implementing this project, UKF fulfilled both quantitative and qualitative objectives outlined in its Erasmus Policy Statement, specifically increasing the number of outgoing mobilities and enhancing the quality of mobilities for all three cycles of study (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD), including recent graduates. The project aimed to carry out at least 460 mobilities, a target that was exceeded with a total of 565 mobilities. The main objectives of the Erasmus+ programme supported by this project included: increasing accessibility and inclusiveness of mobilities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds; developing the competences of students and staff to enhance their employability; promoting international cooperation among higher education institutions; disseminating academic and research knowledge as well as values of democracy, humanism, and multiculturalism; and modernizing educational programmes by transferring international experience into domestic teaching. From a qualitative perspective, all necessary conditions for the implementation of mobilities were met – from signing inter-institutional agreements, informing, selecting, and supporting participants, allocating grants, to recognizing mobility periods – with full attention to non-discrimination, equal opportunities, and transparency. Incoming international students were provided with equal treatment and benefits as UKF’s own students, including accommodation in university dormitories, access to meals, and participation in student activities. Despite intensive efforts, not all allocated financial resources for mobilities were used due to the non-implementation of the UKF Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). Moreover, several students used preferably shorter mobility than originally planned or the their grant was recalculated and decreased due to the lower amount of ECTS earned during the mobility abroad The project significantly contributed to achieving UKF’s strategy for internationalization and modernization of education, fostering an international environment at the university, and enabling more effective integration of study programmes with European educational trends, thereby enhancing the quality of academic education and strengthening the competitiveness of graduates in the European labour market.

Project partners (1)