International openness in HE is first of all a means to stimulate global awareness and a true sense of global citizenship and global responsibility among graduates and within the HE sector as a whole. Present-day problems are worldwide and cannot be solved in a definite geographical area like the EHEA, but require a global platform for global solutions. Moreover, the creation of the knowledge society requires global awareness and responsibility, and HEIs can play an important role here in consciousness raising and in finding solutions through internationalisation of programmes and study environment.
Our vision for 2020 is an EHEA where the international dimension is perceived as an integrated part of the mission and role of HEI; where all study programs will offer students the possibility to carry out at least one semester abroad; and where the positive significance of international openness also comprises immigrant students as important contributors to the internationalisation of HE. We urge governments to abolish all
legal obstacles relevant to this vision.
EURASHE commits itself to the enhancement of international openness in the EHEA as well as within its member institutions. We will stimulate the development of joint degrees across national borders. We urge potential research and innovation players and stakeholders to participate in international projects. We will initiate international cooperation to develop and implement comparable QA and accreditation systems. And we will facilitate our members’ active participation in international HE organizations and networks.
Mobility of students and staff remains an important goal of the Bologna Process. Mobility is important for sharing and dissemination of knowledge and skills among students and professionals; it contributes to the personal development and responsible citizenship of the individual; and it underpins the European identity and the multilingual tradition in a global context.
The set target of 20 % mobile students in the EHEA by 2020 is ambitious and may not be reached, mainly due to obstacles that are beyond the remit of higher education authorities, such as the (lack of) portability of loans and grants; problems with visas and permits to stay, etc.. But also, HEIs can create obstacles, e.g., when study periods abroad or qualifications achieved are not recognized; or when a student is refused reentry to her or his original HEI.
In our vision for 2020, all HEIs will provide an international experience for the individual student, either abroad, at her or his home institution, or virtually. A growing number of European students in HE will be European multilingual citizens with universally utilizable skills and knowledge. Mobility, in all cycles of HE, will be an organic part of higher education and shall be the hallmark of the European Higher Education Area.
EURASHE commits itself to strive to achieve the 20 % goal for students and also to increase mobility of staff. We will inform our students about the specific advantages of studies or practical training abroad, and we will stimulate the interest of employers who accept foreign students for practical training as a part of their HE studies. We will stimulate multilingualism and multi-cultural competencies, and promote mobility in a harmonious way, avoiding the brain drain phenomenon. And we will enter into a discussion with those of our member institutions who might still believe that a mono-lingual and mono-cultural approach is to be preferred.
These topics are deepened and discussed by the Working Group on Mobility and international Openness (WG4), which is led by Marek Frankowicz (PWSZ Tarnow).
Its objectives are:
a. Contributing to the increase of Mobility rates by promoting International Openness,
b. Promotion of International openness of EHEA,
c. Creation of a platform for international cooperation.
You can read here the Mobility Toolkit prepared by the Working group
You can go through the Mobility Repository gathered by the Working group
