The ERASMUS programme was established in 1987 and forms a major part of the European Union Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013. It is the operational framework for the European Commission's initiatives in higher education.
The aim of the ERASMUS Programme is to encourage and support academic mobility of higher education students and teachers within the European Union, the European Economic Area countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as well as candidate countries (such as Turkey). Switzerland is again eligible for membership as from 2007, after a period of absence following the rejection by that country of closer links with the European Union in the late 90's. During that period of absence Swiss universities pursued inter-university collaboration with other European institutions through a system closely based on ERASMUS.
To participate in the ERASMUS programme students must be studying for a degree or diploma at a tertiary-level institution and must have completed their first year. They also have to be a citizen of one of the countries in the wider Lifelong learning programme.
The Erasmus Programme has a number of specific objectives:
1. to improve the quality and to increase the volume of student and teaching staff mobility throughout Europe, so as to reach of at least 3 million student and teacher exchanges by 2012
2. to improve the quality and increase the amount of multilateral cooperation between higher education institutions in Europe
3. to improve and increase cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises
4. to spread innovation and new pedagogic practice and supports between universities in Europe
Apart from the student mobility mentioned in the first objective, which is the most visible and "ikonic" element in the programme, support is also given to developing closer links between university faculties.
Get more information, click here
No comments:
Post a Comment