On June 12, 2022, Erasmus+ stakeholders met in Venice for a three-day event discussing trends and best-practices for fostering internationalisation strategies in higher education institutions. Under the lead of the Italian Erasmus+ agency “INDIRE”, more than 130 attendees joint from 16 countries at the Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, Italy.
Welcomed by Fabrizio Marrella, Ca’ Foscari’s Vice Rector for International Relations and International Cooperation, four panellist provided their input and shared their experiences on how to optimally integrate internationalisation strategies at higher education facilities. The panellists included the director of the German Erasmus+ agency, a representative of the French Erasmus+ agency as well as the director of the UNIMED initiative (Mediterranean Universities Union). In addition, Michele Mazzola from the Italian Ministry of University and Research provided valuable input on the impact of higher education institutions on the national and regional level from a policy viewpoint.
Afterwards, a study was presented by the Ca’ Foscari University were factors of attractiveness for Italian regions were assessed among Erasmus+ participants. One finding of this study is that urban regions are more attractive to Erasmus+ participants than rural regions. Moreover, thematic clusters were found in several Italian regions.
On this basis, INDIRE gave insights into a new tool for mapping the degree of internationalisation of Italian universities. The tool will launch soon and also act as a database for future research on Erasmus+ participants.
Stephan Geifes from the German Erasmus+ agency highlighted the importance of value-based collaboration as well as summarised measures taken in Germany to support this approach.
Julien Zarifian representing the University of Cergy-Pontoise shared challenges and lessons-learned in managing transitional strategies in becoming a more international university.
Vladi Finotto from the Ca’ Foscari University concluded with an insightful talk on the role of knowledge transfer. He pointed out that transferring research results into society can be a valuable part in an internationalisation strategy.
Accelerated by the pandemic, digitalisation has become a key trend at higher education facilities and the digital transition was boosted by emergency and remote teaching. For the new Erasmus+ programming period starting in 2027, the funding is foreseen to double which may indicate greater potential for piloting digital tools for an international Erasmus+ audience. New Erasmus+ topics will be along these themes:
- more inclusive
- more green and sustainable
- more digital
Therefore, internationalisation strategies may be a useful tool to attract international students and lecturers across higher education institutions in Europe.
Based on this input, the participants started working in four breakout groups to discuss these points in more detail. Each group was led by a competent moderator from a specific field of interest. The group work continued until the morning of June 14 and each group presented their findings to all participants in a panel round.
Event folder and agenda
Photo: STUDICODE project
Group 1 focused on the concept of “internationalisation at home”. The group identified the concept of “virtual exchanges” as a very promising tool for fostering internationalisation “at home.
Lea Pfäffel from the STUDICODE was involved in group 2 which discussed the topic of “digitalisation and innovative teaching methods”. This group consisted of representatives from EU and non-EU national (Erasmus+) agencies as well as representatives from universities and (Erasmus+) project managers. Moreover, this group consisted of experts from many fields including medicine, pharmacology but also computing, arts and education. The group concluded that there is no digital teaching method that can be successfully applied by all disciplines. The didactic tools must be tailored to each field of study and group of students. However, all participants reported that they found a mode of remote teaching that worked for both sides – the educators and the students. Common challenges included the technical equipment (laptop, camera, internet connection) and substituting the social aspect of teaching face-to-face in class. Moreover, the group highlighted the importance of inclusion. The digital transition can be a benefit for internationalising higher education facilities because it allows access for a more diverse group including students and lecturers with disabilities. However, the universities’ effort in reaching a more international audience through digital and innovative teaching methods may also lead to exclusion (e.g. students with limited access to the internet, students with limited financial means, students with a learning habit that relies on direct social interaction).
Group 3 discussed the topic of “international classes: challenges and solutions”. Main finding of this group was that international classes often face the challenge of language barriers. Also, intercultural obstacles must be addressed early. However, these challenges can be overcome by using appropriate tools like virtual exchange programmes.
Group 4 focused the topic of “Synergies between European funding schemes and accessibility issues from a bottom- up perspective”. The group emphasised the importance of cooperation and guidance in making use of synergies between funding programmes. Project management staff plays a key role in this effort to direct researchers, lecturers and students to specific funding programmes. Mentors are also needed to overcome accessibly issues in searching and applying for funding schemes.
This summary provided into insights of the discussions of all groups. Fabrizio Marrella concluded with noting the success of Erasmus+ in the past and motivated the group to continue their engagement in Erasmus+ on the background of the digital transition and internationalisation efforts at higher education institutions.
Meeting venue at the Ca’ Foscari University
Photo: STUDICODE project
Besides the official programme, the event provided a great platform for exchange. The STUDICODE project will continue the dialog with didactic experts and deans from Slovakia and Slovenia for its second “multiplier event” to foster an uptake of the STUDICODE outputs after the project’s end.
In addition to this successful transnational cooperation activity, Erasmus+ is celebrating its 35th anniversary. More information on this can be found here (German): https://eu.daad.de/die-nationale-agentur/35-jahre-erasmus/de/