Akademisches Auslandsamt International Office Workshop: Focus on Learning Outcomes If and How? Meike Röhl, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
Central Questions centralised vs. decentralised What can the role of international offices be in a procedure that, in principle, the faculties are in charge of? 2
Facts and figures Foundation: 1607 Staff, approx.: 5,400 Professors, approx.: 380 Degree programmes, approx.: 150 Students (WS 2016/17), approx.: 28,500 International students, approx.: 10% Int. doctoral candidates, approx.: 25% Outgoing students, p.a., approx.: 800 3
Institutional Profile Law Business Administration and Economics Social Sciences and Cultural Studies History and Cultural Studies Language, Literature, Culture Psychology and Sports Science Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography Biology, Chemistry Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management Veterinary Medicine Medicine 4
Institutional Profile BFS: ECCPS: GiZo: IFZ: Biomedical Research Centre Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System (funded by the Excellence Initiative) Giessen Centre for Eastern European Studies Research Centre for Biosystems, Land Use and Nutrition GCSC: GGL: GGS: International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (funded by the Excellence Initiative) International Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences International Giessen Graduate Centre for the Social Sciences ZEU: ZMI: Centre for International Development and Environmental Research Centre for Media and Interactivity 5
A Brief History of Recognition at JLU HRK (German Rectors Conference) - conference on recognition (2010) introducing recognition representatives (2010) all faculties/departments had to appoint a person in charge for ALL mobilities (examples) repeated topic in round table study coordinators, Erasmus coordinators -conference, deans of the faculties, etc. Providing a webpage with info about Lissabon convention (2007) and information on recognition procedures, links to all recognition representatives (2010) 2016: amendment of higher education statistics law all periods abroad have to be recorded and documented 2017: development of university-wide form for recognition, replaces LA after mobility 6
System currently in place 3 If necessary: Changes can be made after the arrival After the stay 1 Planning Courses? Upon Consultation! 2 Learning Agreement 4 5 Transcript of Records Submit ToR and Recognition form 1) planning 2) before mobility: Learning Agreement 3) during mobility: Changes to Learning Agreement, (if necessary) 4) at the end of mobility: Transcript of Records (ToR) from host institution 5) after mobility: application for recognition PLUS ToR to be filed with the recognition representative of the respective faculty/department 7
System currently in place 8
Recognition of credits achieved at foreign institutions Student fills in the application document (page 1 +2) template recognition of credits achieved abroad Confirmation by the ECTSrecognition representative (page 2) Recognition by audit commitee (or chairperson) + acquisition in the examination office 9
Recognition of credits achieved at foreign institutions the form was introduced for recognition of credit mobility to be used by all faculties/departments, use of the form is compulsory Since April 1st, 2017, credit mobility is being recorded by the exmanination offices only if the process is documented on the new form Most importantly: the signature of the recognition representative MUST be on the document The faculties are asked to inform all staff involved with recognition about the new procedure and provide information for the students 10
Flaws and Obstacles process of recognition is decentralized, therefore there is no consistent process description for students faculties/examinations offices partly do not do ex-ante-recognition no access to (ECTS) course catalogue by the time students have to apply for study abroad period, so changes to the proposed list of courses are standard which creates more paperwork despite all the information/regulations in place, the process is often unclear esp. for the student o o What if students fail a course? Consequences? What if the student does not wish to transfer the credit as agreed in the LA? 11
Challenge I - Actors involved in recognition process Students Faculties / departments / module coordinators Examination Offices Chairperson of the board of examiners Whose perspective are we taking? 12
Challenge II How to involve those involved? Round table degree course coordinators The deans offices / deans round table Representatives of the examinations offices Representatives of International Office (counselling function?) Students? 13
Challenge III Quality Assurance How can we monitor if credits were actually recognised? How can we assure that learnings outcomes are being given preference over equivalence? student perspective: is there an option to file a complaint if here are problems with recognition? 14
3 most important results ECTS Course Catalogue universities should work really hard to privide a complete course catalogue, calendar, with the most detailed information mutual trust and close cooperation with partners give guidelines and train staff in charge of Course Catalogue Transparency selection process people involved recognition /students rights grading conversion Appreciate diversity Keep getting those involved talking Work on individual/flexible solutions for your institution bear in mind that it DOES make a difference whether you work at a 5.000 or a 40.000 student institution 15
Stay in Touch! Beratung zu Studium und Praktikum im Ausland / PROMOS (Advice for study and internship abroad / PROMOS) Akademisches Auslandsamt der JLU Gießen (International Office) Goethestraße 58, 35390 Gießen, Zimmer 22 Meike.Roehl@admin.uni-giessen.de Tel.: 0641 99-12136 Open consultation hours: Mon & Wed 10am 12pm / Thu 2 4pm - 16