Aalto International Staff Week Double degrees - the best practices of Nordic5Tech programmes Wed 30 January 2013 at 9.30-12am TUAS 1021-22 Planning Officer Börje Helenius Study Coordinator Anu Kuusela Aalto International Staff Week
Program 9.30am -12am Get to know - experiences of double degrees in your own universities Nordic countries Nordic educational perspective-nordic Master programmes-n5t degree programmes Best practicies and challenges in N5T programmes Workshop in groups about Double Degrees Discussion - Double degrees in future Europe
NORWEGIAN STRATEGY FOR STUDENT RECRUTING
SWEDISH STRATEGY OF STUDENT RECRUTING
FINNISH STRATEGY OF STUDENT RECRUTING
The Nordic countries Denmark Finland Iceland Norway Sweden In English, "Scandinavia" is sometimes used as a synonym for the Nordic countries - Five nation-states - Population of approximately 25 million - Common history; unions between the countries for 700 years, Kalmar union 15 th century - Political systems; Nordic model; welfare state, free education and healthcare, public pension, public service, no corruption, respect of human rights, gender equality, high degrees of labour union membership but also low barriers to free trade and little product market regulation - Co-operate in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers -> Nordic Master Programmes (NMP) launched in 2006
The NMP today a Nordic higher-education programme for students from all over the world. The pilot programme started in 2008 and consists of 15 Nordic study programmes at 24 Nordic universities. Fall 2012: Approximately 300 current and graduated students (40 % Nordic students, 20 % European students, 40 % non-european students) 65 graduated in total so far
Funded by Nordic Council of Ministers The Nordic Council of Ministers has given 1 million DKK to each of these programmes for planning of the programmes = 15 million DKK in total (+3 new programmes granted financing in 2012 = 18 million DKK) - So far: Pilot 2007-2012 - Next step: Permanent programme? 2013 -
Nordic Five Tech (N5T) Aalto University (Aalto) Helsinki Finland Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers) Gothenburg Sweden Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Lyngby Denmark KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm Sweden Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Trondheim Norway N5T was established in November 2006 Strategic alliance of the five leading technical universities in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The goal is to utilize shared and complementary strengths and create synergy within education, research and innovation. Nordic check point for Nordic and international M.Sc. students in engineering Increase the mobility of staff and students within N5T The establishment of joint international M.Sc. programmes
Nordic Five Tech (N5T) Aalto University (Aalto) Helsinki Finland Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers) Gothenburg Sweden Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Lyngby KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm Sweden Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway (NTNU) Denmark Nordic Master Double Degree M.Sc.programmes: Innovative Sustainable Energy Engineering (first class 2009) Nordic Master in Maritime Engineering (first class admitted 2011) Nordic Master in Environmental Engineering (first class admitted 2012) Nordic Master in Sustainable Urban Transition (first class admitted 2012) Master's programme in Applied and Engineering Mathematics (first class admitted 2012)
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Specifics for the 5Tech-programmes 5 programmes in total (2 new in 2012) Approx. 100 students = almost 1/3 of all NMPstudents Quite high share of non-european Students in comparison to other NMP:s. 74 % of all ISEE-students in spring 2012 were from non-european countries 50 % of ALL non-european NMP-students study in a 5Tech-programme
General satisfaction
Reasons for applying 1. 1. Mobility = = Studying in in different countries 1. Mobility = Studying in different countries 2. 2. Academic Academic quality quality 3. 2. Good Academic networking quality opportunities (Ph. D. and career) 3. Good networking opportunities (Ph. D. and 4. 3. Previous Good networking familiarity with opportunities Nordic countries (Ph. D. and (for noncareer) Nordic career) students) 5. 4. 4. Chance Previous Previous to familiarity be familiarity international with with Nordic Nordic at home countries countries (Nordic (for (for students) non-nordic non-nordic students) students) 6. 5. 5. No Chance Chance tuition to to fees be be international international at at home home (Nordic (Nordic students) students) 6. 6. No No tuition tuition fees fees
Study Track 1+1 Mobility Partner university (1. Year) Lead university (2. Year) Solar Cell Systems and materials System Integration of Wind Power Heat and Power Engineering DTU NTNU UoI NTNU DTU Geothermal Energy Chalmers UoI Chalmers Bio Energy KTH Aalto Energy Systems Aalto KTH
Mobility Mobility is seen as the NMPs biggest strength The 1+1 model seems to be most popular model (while 6 months is seen as too short), but intensive courses seem to work too, if there are enough of them. Nordic students (or students already living in the Nordic countries) are a bit more interested in programmes with intensive courses only = being international at home About half of students would not be interested in NMP if the teaching was restricted to a single Nordic country.
Mobility Critique against compulsory mobility periods outside the Nordic region as a part of the NMP When you study at a new university, you need some time to adjust to the local culture and the teaching system. If you move every six months, you can t focus properly on your studies non-european NMP student For my NMP, one year in Norway and one year in Finland seemed nice. But I have to come to Netherlands for one semester as an exchange students, I think it would be better if I do not have to come to Netherlands. Maritime Engineering My first year was in NTNU. But it is mandatory to send me to TU Delft. The study loan in TU Delft is too high. I hope it is option to be an exchange student but not mandtory. Maritime Engineering.
Identification as a NMP student Most of the interviewed students identify themselves to some degree as NMP students But in many cases the primary identification is with one of the partner universities (often the first one) Students also say that they often feel that they are treated as exchange students and not as NMP students during their mobility period In Sweden I identified myself as a NMP student, but in Denmark I m treated as an exchange student just like anyone else non-european NMP student (5Tech)
5Tech specifics: Career NMP is seen as a great opportunity to network High interest in getting contacts to the industry I think it would be better for the Master if some practical working period was included. I expected a bit more focus on the industry European NMP student I don t know what employers think of the programme, since we have not had any contact with the industry non-european NMP student I feel my later professional life will be easier because of this programme - European NMP student Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council 19
Areas of improvement - Even though the programmes are different, many of the challenges are the same. - Administration and coordination - Practical and academic support - Information on opportunities within and after NMP Need for commitment on many levels
Administration and coordination - Strong need for a programme co-ordinator - Need for common practices within the NMP Practical issues: - Lack of knowledge - Application timeframe & reply time - Entry requirements within the NMP - Double bureucracy - Websites not updated - Granting of the degree
5Tech specifics: Coordination The lack of a NMP coordinator is mentioned as a big issue by several students Professors/academic personnel don t have time/expertise regarding all practical matters One coordinator could help gather all NMP students at one institution Students don t know who to contact for what matters THIS IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council 22
5Tech programmes: The Coordinating University s Point of View The tasks of the coordinating univiersity (N5TeAM) The general coordination of the programme and the managerial matters relating to the project Convening of Programme Board and Selection Board meetings The communication and reporting to programme sponsors All communication to the partners on issues of general interest for the Consortium Providing and maintaining a joint website for the programme for information distribution + producing marketing materials Centralised admission procedure and managemat of admission enquiries Keeping a register of the students and providing necessary statistics for the use of consortium partners Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council 23
5Tech programmes: The Coordinating Challenges: University s Point of View Resources: Administrative programme coordinator is needed at the coordinating university Strong need also for administrative programme coordinators at each partner universities Communication: Internal: updated mailing lists, right contact persons External: updated information on the website Marketing, student recruiting Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council 24
Workshop questions Answer the 2 first questions from a) Student perspective, b) University perspective 1. What are the 3 key factors for succesive double degree programs? 2. What are the 3 most challenging problems in double degree programs? 3. What does the future look like for double and joint degrees?