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Higher education student and staff mobility project
Start date: Jun 1, 2014, End date: May 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Bielefeld University sees internationalisation as a central element in increasing the quality and the potential of research, study and teaching. Mobility for students, teachers and staff plays an important role in internationalisation. The overarching goal of all mobility measures is to acquire international competence. Internationality in study and teaching promotes academic qualification and cultural understanding as well as securing social peace. The ERASMUS+ project is a cornerstone of international mobility. Bielefeld University maintains ERASMUS cooperations with nearly 200 European partner universities, with which a total of 340 ERASMUS agreements are drawn up on faculty level. Special emphasis is placed upon the quality of the exchange relationship. Mutual understanding of teaching and study courses is an important guarantee for the transfer of academic credit points. In the academic year 2014/15, 160 outgoing students were sent to partner universities and 108 incoming students studied at Bielefeld University. In addition, there were over 20 teaching placements, including many from the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Sciences; there were also lectureships in the areas of law, educational science, sociology, psychology and computer sciences. Above all, young researchers should be given the opportunity to gain international teaching experience. Many international academics have taught at Bielefeld University, thus promoting internationalisation here. In the coming years, Bielefeld University is planning to intensify the internationalisation of its administrative staff. In 2014/15, for example, nine members of staff took up mobility opportunities. Secretarial staff, as well as staff from the Press Office, the Library, the Faculty of Sociology Examinations Office and the Student Advising and Counselling Service spent time abroad for the purposes of professional development. Staff mobility opportunities in part also enabled return visits from personnel from other countries. The University is partnered with the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and other Universities in an ERASMUS+ consortium, which is coordinated by the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences. The number of outgoing interns nearly doubled to 41 from 2013/4 to 2014/15. Lastly, as part of the strategic partnership Bielefeld University coordinates a project and participates in another, both concerned with schools. Teacher training is another important educational cornerstone at Bielefeld University. Apart from improving academic qualification, all activities carried out through ERASMUS+ serve to develop international and intercultural competences. In addition, ERASMUS+ encourages personal development of students and improves their language competence. Altogether, students are gaining the experience they need on the international labour market. University staff can also develop on a professional and personal level, which in turn benefits the University and its guests. The European dimension is promoted in various ways at Bielefeld University. Apart from ERASMUS activities, the University offers integrated courses with the partner institution Paris Diderot University in the subject of history as well as Bologna University in the disciplines of history and biotechnology; these will be developed further. The training programme “Europa Intensiv” was set up 15 years ago for students of all disciplines. Intercultural and Global Studies, international tracks and the International Guest Lectureship Programme complete the wide range of offers. The International Office works closely with the Vice-rector for International Affairs and Diversity. Professional structures are in place, within which internationalisation can be brought forward. Internationalisation is a continual process of development and entails the steady introduction of new measures. Quality assurance is an important instrument. For example, the participation in the HRK Audit and Re-Audit brought new findings and advanced the process of development in a sustainable way. Bielefeld University sees international collaboration as a basis for academic achievement in research, study and teaching, and so will continue to strategically develop internationalisation in a coordinated approach that is best suited to academic culture.
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