Erasmus Charter for Higher Education LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1

Transcription

1 Erasmus Charter for Higher Education Application Form Call: 2014 Note: The data of this application form will be used by the European Commission/ Executive Agency EACEA and National Agencies for evaluation and monitoring Program The EU programme for education, training, youth and sport proposed by the Euroepan Commission on 23 November 2011 (hereafter the Programme)* Action Erasmus Charter for Higher Education Call 2014 Deadline for Submission (dd-mm-yyyy) Application language Correspondence Language 15/05/ :00 midday Brussels time. EN EN LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 Applicant's previous EUC number (if applicable): IC UK-ERASMUS-EUC-1 Erasmus Policy Statement (Overall Strategy) section D of this application form - original language (official EU languages): EN If the original language is not English, French or German, the Erasmus Policy Statement (EPS) should also be provided in one of those three languages. Erasmus Policy Statement translation language (if applicable): not applicable Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

2 Acknowledgement of receipt After submission, applicants are invited to consult the website of the Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency - EACEA to check successful receipt of their Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) application. If by the second week after the deadline, the application has not been listed on the website, the applicant should contact the EACEA ( EACEA-ECHE@ec.europa.eu). * COM(2011) 788 ( Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

3 A Applicant Organisation A.1. Applicant Organisation PIC, if available. Cf. Application manual 0 Full legal name (official name in latin characters) Full legal name (English name) ASTON UNIVERSITY ASTON UNIVERSITY Acronym Erasmus code (e.g. F PARIS33) - if available Address (N, street, avenue, etc.) Country Region Post code City Website UK BIRMING01 Aston University, Aston Triangle United Kingdom WEST MIDLANDS B4 7ET BIRMINGHAM A.2. Legal Representative Title Gender PROFESSOR DAME Female First Name Julia Family Name KING Position Vice-Chancellor julia.king@aston.ac.uk Telephone (including country / area codes) +44 (0) Address (n, street, avenue, etc) Country Post code City A.3. Coordinator Aston University, Aston Triangle UK, United Kingdom B4 7ET BIRMINGHAM Title Gender First Name PROFESSOR Female HELEN Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

4 Family Name HIGSON Department VICE CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE Position DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR Telephone (including country / area codes) + / /+44 (0) Address (n, street, avenue, etc) Aston University, AstonTriangle Country UK, United Kingdom Post code B4 7ET City BIRMINGHAM Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

5 B Statistics The purpose of these statistics is to put into context the actions and strategies the institution is asked to present in the following sections. For the academic year : Total number of students enrolled in all degree programmes offered by your institution (data from official HEI register) Short cycle: st Cycle: nd Cycle: rd Cycle: Number of staff (Equivalent full-time) Teaching: Administrative: Number of degree courses on offer Short cycle: st Cycle: nd Cycle: rd Cycle: 29.0 STUDENTS (academic year ) 1. Credit Mobility for Students (all types of mobility programmes for periods between 2 and 12 months) Number of outgoing study mobility students (Erasmus and/or others): to participating countries 47.0 Number of outgoing study mobility students (Erasmus and/or others): to non-participating countries Number of traineeship (work placement) mobility students (Erasmus and/or others): to participating countries Number of traineeship (work placement) mobility students (Erasmus and/or others): to nonparticipating countries Number of study mobility students (Erasmus and/or others): from participating countries 96.0 Number of study mobility students (Erasmus and/or others): from non-participating countries International Degree Students (students enrolled for a full degree programme with foreign nationality or having completed a foreign previous degree) Number of foreign students, if applicable: from Participating countries Number of foreign students, if applicable: non-partcipating countries If applicable, number of local (having the nationality of the country) and international students (of foreign nationality / with foreign previous degree) involved in double/multiple/joint degrees: Number of Local students, involved in Double/multiple/joint degrees Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

6 Number of international students, involved in double/multiple/joint degrees 83.0 ACADEMIC STAFF (academic year ) All types of Erasmus staff mobility (for periods between 2 days and 2 months) for teaching and training purposes Number of outgoing academic staff to participating countries 2.0 Number of incoming academic staff from participating countries 5.0 COOPERATION (academic year ) HEI AGREEMENTS IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH valid in 2012/2013: European and International HEI Agreements / Consortia / Networks Number of Erasmus interinstitutional agreements: 60.0 Number of other cooperation agreements (e.g. Memorandum of Understanding) with HEIs from participating countries Number of other cooperation agreements (e.g. Memorandum of Understanding) with HEIs from non-participating countries Total number of consortium agreements for double/multiple/joint degrees: 8.0 Of these, percentage of the consortium involving non-participating countries 25.0 European and International Education and Training Projects with contracts running in (e.g.: Lifelong Learning Programme, Erasmus Mundus or Tempus) Number of projects as coordinator: 1.0 Number of projects as partner: 3.0 Equivalent full-time administrative staff engaged in the HEI's European and International Offices working for the Programme ( ) Number of staff at the central level: 2.0 Number of staff at the Faculty/School/Department Level: 2.0 Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

7 C General Organisation of Programme activities C1. General Organisation Please describe the structure at your institution for the implementation and organisation of European and international mobility (division of tasks, operational and communication methods). (max characters) Please provide the direct web link with the contact details of the international office (or equivalent) in your institution dealing with the implementation and organisation of European and international mobility: As we see this mobility (particularly via our famous placement year, which we have run for 50 years) as central to our University, we put considerable investment into this activity. We have a central placements team of four staff who work with our academic schools to help our students gain a study or work placement overseas. The staff provide support before, during and after the students time abroad. Each students' time abroad is formally assessed and they are each allocated a placement tutor to help with the preparation of their assessment. Incoming mobility is organised by our International Office in collaboration with the Schools. Students are well integrated into the support available for all the other students at Aston. The governance of the mobility activity is overseen by our International Strategy Committee, Collaborative Provision Strategy Committee, and in the School Learning and Teaching Committees. C2. Fundamental Principles By applying for the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education my institution will: Respect in full the principles of non-discrimination set out in the Programme and ensure equal access and opportunities to mobile participants from all backgrounds. Ensure full recognition for satisfactorily completed activities of study mobility and, where possible, traineeships in terms of credits awarded (ECTS or compatible system.). Ensure the inclusion of satisfactorily completed study and/or traineeship mobility activities in the final record of student achievements (Diploma Supplement or equivalent). Please explain the academic credit system and the methodology used to allocate credits to the different course units followed by your students abroad. (max characters) In addition, please provide the direct web link where the methodology is explained: Activities under the Erasmus programme are awarded ECTS & count towards the degree classification.the University uses ECTS to allow transfer of study & work undertaken abroad. Students on a traineeship produce a reflective & an analytical piece of work on the basis of their training.the work is assessed internally & is equivalent to 60 ECTS for a full year or 30 ECTS for a half year.on successful completion students are awarded the associated credits.students studying undertake the assessment of the partner institution.our Erasmus partner institutions use ECTS allowing credit transfer to Aston.Learning agreements ensure study is at the correct level. Research ensures course compatibility in the process to establish an inter-institutional agreement.students are awarded a Diploma Supplement upon graduation detailing mobility activities through the programme & associated credits. Charge no fees, in the case of credit mobility, to incoming mobile students for tuition, registration, examinations or access to laboratory and library facilities. C3. When Participating in Mobility Activities - Before mobility Publish and regularly update the course catalogue on the website of the Institution well in advance of the mobility periods, so as to be transparent to all parties and allow mobile students to make well-informed choices about the courses they will follow. Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

8 Provide guidance to incoming mobile participants in finding accommodation. Please explain if all courses taught at your institution are described in the Course Catalogue and in which languages. (max. 500 characters) In addition, please provide the direct web link to your Course Catalogue: Aston University courses are described in University prospectuses & course catalogues.the language of instruction & assessment is English unless a foreign language is part of the degree.incoming students are encouraged to make choices well in advance of arrival using the information provided & working with the School incoming advisor. Carry out mobility only within the framework of prior agreements between institutions. These agreements establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the different parties, as well as their commitment to shared quality criteria in the selection, preparation, reception and integration of mobile participants. Please describe the institutional procedure for the approval and monitoring of inter-institutional agreements for study and teaching mobility and/or learning agreements in case of traineeships (work placements). (max characters) There is a central process for approving & monitoring agreements for study. Schools gather information and complete a due diligence form establishing the purpose, nature and benefits of the agreement. It is sent to the Collaborative Provision Steering Group for consideration, issues are raised here. If it meets Erasmus criteria & fits with University strategy it will be approved. There is a similar process for renewals ensuring agreements continue to be strategic and fit for purpose. Traineeships are approved via an online system where all details (contracts, health & safety, dates, etc) are submitted to the International Placements Manager for approval. Monitoring includes regular contact with the student on placement. Contact points for all students include Placement Office, academic tutor & personal tutor. In most cases a visit is also part of the monitoring process, including a welfare and progress meeting with the student and the employer. A visit form is completed & recorded. Ensure that outgoing mobile participants are well prepared for the mobility, including having attained the necessary level of linguistic proficiency. Please describe your institution's language policy for preparing participants for mobility, e.g.: course providers within or outside the HEI. (max. 750 characters) If possible, please provide the direct web link for your language policy: Many students participating study the host country language and are well prepared linguistically by their degree programme. Where students are not studying the language they are encouraged to take language modules through University Wide Language Programme (UWLP) to assist integration into life abroad. The University places great importance on language skills, first year students are offered language study free of charge through UWLP. Students without linguist ability study modules in English abroad or work in English environment to ensure academic performance and credit transfer is not compromised. Students studying abroad in English take up language modules at host institutions, credits are recognised by the learning agreement. Ensure that student and staff mobility for education or training purposes is based on a learning agreement for students and a mobility agreement for staff validated in advance between the home and host institutions or enterprises and the mobile participants. Provide assistance related to obtaining visas, when required, for incoming and outgoing mobile participants. Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

9 Provide assistance related to obtaining insurance, when required, for incoming and outgoing mobile participants. C4. When Participating in Mobility Activities - During Mobility Ensure equal academic treatment and services for home students and staff and incoming mobile participants. Integrate incoming mobile participants into the Institution s everyday life. Have in place appropriate mentoring and support arrangements for mobile participants. Please describe mentoring and support arrangements for incoming mobile participants and outgoing students for study and traineeships. (max. 750 characters) Incoming student support; Dedicated School advisors,erasmus welcome week,campus accommodation, Buddy systems - matched to an Aston student that spent time abroad,the HUB for all student support and personal assistance,english language support,erasmus Society. Outgoing students benefit from; Intercultural awareness sessions,student networks to connect with other Aston students in same locations, and telephone contact with placement team and academic tutor,face to face visits in most cases,skype visits, Social media,bulletins with campus updates, Online placement space with useful information whilst on placement including country guides,e-counselling service,students are insured by Aston University for the duration of the placement. Provide appropriate linguistic support to incoming mobile participants. Please describe your institution's language support for incoming students and staff with a minimum of 2-month mobility period. (max. 500 characters) If possible, please provide the direct web link for your language policy: Incoming participants can benefit from free English language support from the Centre for English Language & Communication (CELCA) & further support from the Learning Development Centre which focuses on English for academic purposes.celca offers tutorial support for both written & spoken language ability. Staff and students also benefit from the friendly nature of Aston & receive informal support from colleagues & student buddies. C5. When Participating in Mobility Activities - After Mobility Accept all activities indicated in the learning agreement as counting towards the degree, provided these have been satisfactorily completed by the mobile students. Provide incoming mobile participants and their home institutions with transcripts containing a full, accurate and timely record of their achievements at the end of their mobility period. Regarding the above two Charter principles, please describe the mechanisms your institution has in place to recognise mobility achievements for study and traineeships in enterprises. (max. 750 characters) In addition, please provide the direct web link for this recognition procedure: Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

10 Aston recognizes the importance of Erasmu. All activities in the learning agreement count towards the degree & are monitored by the University.Transparent conversion processes are reviewed regularly to ensure students who undertake activities abroad have equal opportunities to achieve success as those that remain in the UK.Exam Boards consider all Erasmus students & the use of ECTS & Diploma Supplements allow transfer of the period abroad. ECTS are used for incoming students who are also considered at Exam Boards & transcripts are released in a timely manner online in the first instance & then by hardcopy to the student & partner. Support the reintegration of mobile participants and give them the opportunity, upon return, to build on their experiences for the benefit of the Institution and their peers. Ensure that staff are given recognition for their teaching and training activities undertaken during the mobility period, based on a mobility agreement. Please describe your institution's measures to support, to promote and to recognise staff mobility. (max. 750 characters) Staff mobility is managed & promoted through Staff & Graduate Development Unit. All staff participating in the scheme have support from their department. Staff are given time off for mobility visits as they contribute directly to the work of the department & University. Visits are agreed with the line manager in advance. Staff mobility is promoted in a variety of ways. Details including staff eligibility, financial support, reporting and evaluation are displayed on Aston s intranet. Literature is provided in the form of newsletters & handbooks. A workshop promotes mobility opportunities, generating much interest in the scheme. Members of staff have the opportunity to share outcomes at University events. C6. When Participating in European and International Cooperation Projects Ensure that cooperation leads to sustainable and balanced outcomes for all partners. Provide relevant support to staff and students participating in these activities. Please describe your institutional measures to support, promote and recognise the participation of your own institution s staff and students in European and international cooperation projects under the Programme. (max. 750 characters) Participating staff are recognised via Performance Review. Managers reward staff for contributions to the University & staff share their experiences at Erasmus workshops. Information about Erasmus is available on webpages for prospective students. An Erasmus Society raises awareness & supports students. Peer to peer events promote Erasmus, students share their experiences. Students are surveyed,findings make improvements to support processes. Opportunities are promoted to all students,disabled students are supported by the Disability Unit. Our International Placement Fair promotes opportunities for international mobility. Aston is working towards a target of 35% of students taking a placement abroad,erasmus is a key competent of this aim. Exploit the results of the projects in a way that will maximise their impact on individuals and participating institutions and encourage peer learning with the wider academic community. C7. For the Purposes of Visibility Display the Charter and the related Erasmus Policy Statement prominently on the Institution's website. Promote consistently activities supported by the Programme, along with their results. Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

11 D Erasmus Policy Statement (Overall Strategy) D. Erasmus Policy Statement (Overall Strategy) The Institution agrees to publish this overall strategy (all three parts) on its website within one month after the signature of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education by the European Commission. Please describe your institution's international (EU and non-eu) strategy. In your description please explain a) how you choose your partners, b) in which geographical area(s) and c) the most important objectives and target groups of your mobility activities (with regard to staff and students in first, second and third cycles, including study and training, and short cycles). If applicable, also explain how your institution participates in the development of double/multiple/joint degrees. (max characters) Original language [EN] Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

12 Aston University s international strategy is a fundamental strand of the Aston institutional 2020 strategy, covering; Building our international reputation for research excellence Increasing the number and intensity of our international research collaborations Increasing the diversity of our staff Growing our overseas student numbers Enabling and increasing numbers of Aston students to take placement years in companies and academic institutions overseas allowing all students to develop as highly employable global citizens. Our aim is to build a network of key international partner universities with whom we have deep relationships, collaborating across a range of activities, including: Research Joint courses Student exchange Staff exchange Academic partners are carefully selected based on institutional matching to ensure that the students and staff are offered the highest quality of experience in terms of academic rigour, intellectual challenges and the opportunity to develop stronger intercultural communications. Our flexible approach to the selection of academic partners allows us to create different levels of partnerships; Institutional level oclear academic compatibility and linkage, with more than two Schools having matched areas of expertise opartners having strong research led links to business and the professions, with a commitment to professional programmes oinnovative yet practical research, which informs learning and teaching oa strong reputation and profile ocommitment to diversity olocation in a business or commercial centre ocommitment to sustainability omutual benefit to both partners School / Departmental level oallows greater flexibility to address local balance of priorities through activities Raising research profile Internationalising the student experience Revenue generation ostudent mobility and global employability enhanced through student exchange, summer schools etc orecruitment through collaborative programmes odeveloping joint or dual degrees oresearch collaboration oaccess to greater research funding and grants To date, we have University-wide partners in Australia, Korea and Hong Kong, looking at collaboration across a wide range of activities. In addition, Aston University is increasing the number of University-wide exchange partners. Current negotiations are underway to add to this in Singapore, Spain, China, Turkey and USA. Aston University currently offers the following Joint/Double degrees; Double MA in Europe and the World with the Institut d Etudes Politiques, Lille Double MA in Governance and International Politics with the Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg Double Masters in Photonic NETworks Engineering with Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna Italy, Technische Universität Berlin and Osaka University Japan Joint MA in Multilevel Governance & International Relations with the Institute d Etudes Politiques (SciencesPo) de Rennes Joint European Master in Management with Aston Business School, EMLYON Business School and Ludwig Maximilians Universität München Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

13 There are a number of discussions taking place on developing dual degrees at first and second cycles. Some of the discussions are at an advanced stage. The University has recently signed an MOU with the University of Danang in Vietnam, with the backing of the UK and Vietnamese governments, to lead a consortium of UK universities to bring expertise in science, engineering, business and technology to the newly established research intensive, research led UK-Vietnam International Standard University within the existing University of Danang. As a first step, 20 PhD scholars from the University of Danang will undertake placements at Aston this coming September These scholars will help to create a high quality teaching faculty for the new university. If applicable, please describe your institution's strategy for the organisation and implementation of international (EU and non-eu) cooperation projects in teaching and training in relation to projects implemented under the Programme. (max characters) Original language [EN] Central to Aston s 2020 strategy is the production of the most employable global citizens. A key objective is to achieve this by the development of partnerships and international networking activity. Research undertaken at Aston shows strongly that students who work or study abroad, or who study a foreign language build up expertise in intercultural group work, thus becoming very employable across the world. Employers confirm this view. We invest in two main activities to achieve this strategy. The first is the University -Wide Language Programme which equips students with ab initio, intermediate and advanced language tuition. To stimulate this we offer free foreign languages skills to all first year undergraduates. The second is our target of encouraging at least 35% of our students to study or work abroad, We give students the incentive to do this by not charging any fees to those who study or work abroad. We have seen a massive growth in take up over the last few years. To facilitate this work we have reorganised our support to students seeking to study or work abroad. The central support from our International Placement Office for outgoing students and via our International Office and the academic Schools for incoming students is considered second to none in the sector. Please explain the expected impact of your participation in the Programme on the modernisation of your institution (for each of the 5 priorities of the Modernisation Agenda*) in terms of the policy objectives you intend to achieve. (max characters) Original language [EN] Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

14 Aston s participation in the programme is central to our strategy and we take part to help us become a leading provider of globally relevant education. 1.Increasing the number of highly skilled Graduates and Researchers that Europe needs We know that Europe, indeed the world, requires increasing numbers of highly skilled graduates who can operate across boundaries. We believe this programme will provide this, particularly for those students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so. Our learning and teaching strategy seeks to provide Accessible Excellence, to change the lives of those who can benefit from these opportunities, 2.Improving the Quality and Relevance of Education We believe this programme will help our staff, our incoming students and our outgoing students. By benchmarking ourselves against top institutions across Europe and beyond we can improve the quality of the learning experience and broaden the relevance of our curriculum. Our students will return to Aston with a different perspective on their studies and their future employment. 3.Strengthening quality through Mobility and Cross-border Cooperation Some years ago we indentified that our students, as many are originally from the UK, were reluctant to seek learning or work opportunities overseas. We felt that this was a deficit which was preventing them from gaining employment even in the UK. We also believe that we have a duty to help the next generation of our students to have a greater understanding of global issues and different cultures. We strongly believe that being involved in this programme will do this. 4.Making the Knowledge Triangle Work Aston University s mission is based on a similar triangle of learning, research and business/community engagement. We therefore, believe we are fully aligned with this programme. We believe it will help us take our mission forward. We are known for our excellent teaching, our employable graduates and our exploitable research and for being well established in the regional community. Participation in this programme will, we believe help us meet our key KPI s. 5.Improving Governance and Funding Participation in this programme will, we believe, help our global reputation, our ranking, thus our funding. While this is a somewhat insular approach, it is pragmatic. As an institution in the heart of Birmingham we need to work to be known outside the UK. We know our students and staff are the best ambassadors and will bring good practice home with them. * COM (2011) 567 ( Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19

15 E Endorsement of the application I, the undersigned, legal representative of the applicant institution, certify that the information contained in this application is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. All Programme activities will be implemented on the basis of written agreements with the relevant authorities of the partner institutions; agree to the content of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) application outlined above and commit my institution to respect and observe these obligations; agree to the publication of the Erasmus Policy Statement by the European Commission Place: Birmingham Name: Professor Dame Julia King Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 13/05/2013 I have read and accept the Privacy statement Original signature of the legal representative of the Institution (as identified in section A.2 above) Original stamp or seal of the Institution Page : LA UK-E4AKA1-ECHE-1 printed on :29:28 - submitted on :27:19