Tools and Documents

Conclusions

Meeting - Internationalisation of Education and Training: Contributions of the Erasmus+ Programme

The main objective of this International Conference was to improve quality, define and develop the European dimension in organisations of all sectors and to strengthen the topics of internationalisation and other issues of common interest (such as Programme Management, Quality Assurance, Academic Recognition, etc.). This is only achieved through cooperation between National Agencies, institutions, government authorities, and other national and international experts. Such cooperation should also involve academic associations, professional bodies, other partners of socio-economic importance in the public or private sector and, where appropriate, student organisations.

Regarding the Strategies and promotion of the Internationalisation of education and training in Portugal, it was concluded, on the question raised to the entities on how to promote a responsible and sustainable internationalisation, that Projects like Universities Portugal reinforce the international visibility of all Portuguese HEIs and not only those of the consortium. The Projects reinforce the international visibility of all Portuguese universities, increasing the Portugal brand, positioning Higher Education and enhancing teaching in three main areas: online training; face-to-face training and scientific studies. The target markets are mainly Latin America, but also the PALOP countries.

To promote an effective, responsible and sustainable internationalization of training institutions, it is necessary to use Fairs; Webinars; Digital Marketing Platforms; Conferences.

Internationalisation has long been an important communicator between institutions, and the main goal is to make Portugal a destination for teaching, learning and research.

The HEIs feel that the evolution of Erasmus+, with actions such as Erasmus-Mundos and Capacity Building projects are very relevant for universities.

The transversality of actions and the capacity for transnational cooperation promoting European values are key notions in the Project.

It is important to strengthen the capacity of Portuguese Universities to attract international students to their courses. This movement will imply more revenues for these HEIs and also a greater appreciation of Portugal at the level of European countries and beyond.

Portugal has a strategic position with the PALOP countries, Southern Europe and even China and India.

- The broader objectives of Internationalization are:

·       transnational cooperation;

·       transmission of European values;

·       attracting young people to expand internationalisation, especially outside the European Union;

·       strategic position vis-à-vis other regions.

- Operational objectives:

·       Communication and marketing;

·       Brand promotion;

·       Capacity building and dissemination.

There are transversal objectives such as valuing Portuguese Universities internationally, brand promotion, marketing and dissemination through a digital marketing platform. They focus on the increase of foreign students, more income and the social impact linked to several companies of diverse activities (business innovation), as well as promoting citizenship in the global world as a transversal vehicle in the articulation of different areas: Academic, Management, Innovation and entrepreneurship, Management, being this objective of the Portugal Polytechnics International Project (PPIN) that promotes each young person as a citizen endowed with autonomy, critical, free and responsible.

- Internationalization as a Sustainability factor:

·       With the demographic evolution in Portugal decreasing, the number of students from other countries is important;

·       It highlights the importance of sustainability of the institutions and the need for a greater response to the surrounding environment: associations, companies, hospitals, etc.

- The PPIN is funded by Compete 2020 and is managed by a consortium of Portuguese polytechnics, but other entities are involved, without funding: associations, companies and hospitals.

- An information and sharing platform was created for companies within the scope of internationalisation. There is also a focus on business meetings.

- The countries involved are Angola, Mozambique, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Chile, Morocco and Peru. In these countries, the figure of an "ambassador" has been created for dissemination purposes.

- It has focused on attracting students from secondary school.

Internationalisation is transversally thought in the strategies of the Ministry of Education and reflected in the structuring documents: the curricula, the profile of the student at the end of compulsory education, the educational projects of schools, the national strategy for citizenship education, the European development plan, the strategy for inclusive school. Non-formal and participative education and the concern for an active and European citizenship is referred to in these documents.

In vocational schools, strategies have been developed to organise training either in the country or abroad, very focused on internships. Most schools have transnational projects and internships in foreign companies. The internationalisation is more and more valued for its potential in the sharing of teaching methodologies.

Erasmus+ allows work experiences creating future workers with a European vision.

The main objective of the European policy for internationalisation in Higher Education is the creation of a European educational space.

Breaking down borders in education, in Europe, involves a joint effort to respond to the challenges. Empowering European higher education by involving states in transnational cooperation aimed at quality assurance.

European Strategy for universities - a global strategy respecting national particularities (it was a joint work of several countries). With concrete national actions and synergies for all member states, we have the ideal political moment to break the borders of higher education.

- Strategy:

·       Create a European identity in this sector;

·       Universities are the example of equality for all, with European democratic values such as freedom of expression;

·       Empowering universities, without them we cannot make a digital transformation;

·       Connecting universities with partners outside Europe.

- Objectives:

·       Strengthening the European dimension in ES and research;

·       Consolidating the primary role in the HEIs in the dissemination of the European way of life and also in digitalisation and environmental sustainability;

·       Creating/strengthening links with universities outside Europe.

By 2024 there is a goal of 500 HEIs working in alliance/ cooperation, to expand another 60 different alliances, as currently there are 41.

These alliances aim to create a legal status so that once recognised in the various countries, it allows for easier joint funding, recruitment and management.

Although 50% of the mobility in the alliances must be carried out face-to-face, the focus on digital learning is a priority. Platforms such as the European Student Card and Erasmus without paper are tools that drive this digital transformation.

Erasmus+ brings opportunities for this cooperation between HEIs, recognised by national authorities as urgent.

European Universities - future perspectives - Portuguese HEI representatives coordinating alliances of European Universities

The challenges to Higher Education are common and need to find shared answers. Three Portuguese institutions coordinate 10% of the European alliances.

The Regional University Network is made up of 7 partners in the area of teaching and research, has a regional vision in the European educational framework, aligning with national policies. These are peripheral regions, which are transformed by the empowerment of students.

The partners have a common vision with shared short, medium and long term objectives. And each university coordinates a "large area".

A global constraint identified is that European universities need complementary sources of funding.

The European mobility innovation centre coordinates 7 cities through:

·       Pedagogical innovation and creation of new programmes, such as bips which are short programmes;

·       Creation of joint degrees - 20 joint degrees to be studied, which use modules and allow a student to start a course in their city and continue through the six partner countries.

European universities have to involve the HEIs and the community. They involve higher education decisions and community involvement strategies. Innovative methodologies and joint degrees are essential.

At this stage, common syllabuses and pedagogical structures are developing fast, but without a legal status it is not feasible to set up as an autonomous entity.

There is a joint work between National Agencies, Governments of the member countries, with the creation of legislation that facilitates financing and recruitment of human resources, and HEIs, so that the European educational space is consolidated, allowing the development of Internationalisation to other continents.

The best way to get the results, was to make use of all the interventions during the conference and the reports made by the participants.