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International cooperation in Higher Education

Tempus, Erasmus Mundus, External Cooperation Window

DG EAC

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EU Higher Education modernisation agenda (I)

• At European level, education is not the subject of a « common European policy » : competence for the content and the organisation of studies remains at national level

• The European Commission has a complementary role to play: to add a European dimension to education, help to develop quality education and encourage life-long learning

• The Commission works with Member States and the higher education sector to help implement national reforms, through the Open Method of Coordination (clusters, peer learning, own initiatives and programmes, support to others)

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EU Higher Education modernisation agenda (II)

The higher education policy of the European Commission aims at:

• reforming higher education systems, • making them more coherent, more flexible,

• and more responsive to the needs of society.

European universities must face the challenges of globalisation, and reforms that are needed to release their full potential to help create more growth and jobs and make Europe's knowledge-based society a reality (Lisbon Strategy).

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EU Higher Education modernisation agenda (III)

Together with the Member States, the European Commission is pursuing three main areas for reform in higher education :

• Curricular reform: The three cycle system, competence based learning, flexible learning paths, recognition, mobility

• Funding reform: Diversified university income, tuition fees, grants and loans

• Governance reform: University autonomy, strategic partnerships, quality assurance

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The EU HE modernisation agenda covers the Bologna Process

Bologna objective: To make European Higher Education more compatible and

comparable, more competitive and more attractive for European citizens and for citizens and scholars from other continents.

A major effort should be made to achieve the core Bologna reforms by 2010:

• comparable qualifications (short cycle, bachelor, master, doctorate);

• flexible, modernised curricula at all levels, and

• trustworthy quality assurance systems

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EU Higher Education modernisation agenda: external cooperation

The EU seeks to promote its internal policies through three external programmes for higher education cooperation:

• TEMPUS: contributes to establishing an area of cooperation and modernisation in higher education between the European Union and the partner countries in the surrounding area, including Central Asia

• ERASMUS MUNDUS: strengthens European co-operation and international links in higher education by supporting high-quality European Masters Courses,

• ERASMUS MUNDUS/ External Cooperation Window:

funds student and academic staff exchanges

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TEMPUS IV

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Basic features (I)

• Objective: to establish an area of cooperation and modernisation in higher education between the European Union and the partner countries in the surrounding area, including Central Asia

• Geographical coverage: 27 partner countries in the

Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and Central Asia

• Programme focusing on institutional cooperation

• Bottom-up programme mainly implemented through calls for proposals complemented by structural measures targeting higher education systems

Tempus IV

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Basic features (II)

• Strong involvement of national authorities in the definition of priorities and selection of projects

• Programme supported by a network of National Contact Points in EU Member States and National Tempus Offices in partner countries

Tempus IV

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Basic features (III)

• Tempus IV finances two types of projects through calls for proposals

• Joint Projects• Structural

Measures

• And one type of project through tenders/ framework contracts

• Accompanying Measures

Tempus IV

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Joint Projects (I)

Joint Projects implemented at institutional level can do the following:

1- Curricular reform:

• adapt, modernise and restructure existing curricula with a focus on content, structure, teaching methods and the use of new teaching materials.

• establish study programmes with a double or multiple degree or a joint degree;

• establish links with the labour market.Tempus IV

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Joint Projects (II)

2- Governance reform:

• modernise the capacity, management and governance of higher education institutions

• promote a quality assurance culture

Tempus IV

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Joint Projects (III)

3- Higher education and society: • strengthen the role of higher education

institutions in society at large • address the "knowledge triangle" of education,

research and innovation (project must not focus on research)

• encourage links between higher education institutions and the labour market

4- Thematic networks:• facilitate the enlargement of "Thematic

Networks" created under Socrates-Erasmus and the extension of their activities in partner countries

Tempus IV

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Structural MeasuresProjects implemented at national level for the development and reform of the national higher education structures and systems in the partner countries :

1- Governance reform (licensing, accreditation, qualification frameworks, quality assurance, autonomy…)

2- Higher education and society (links between different sectors of education, with the world of work, capacity building for public administration…)

Tempus IV

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Budget for the 2007 call • Eastern Europe: € 24 million (incl. 10 for Russia)

• Mediterranean region: € 14 million

• Western Balkans: € 19,55 million (Serbia: 7 – Fyrom:

3.5 – Croatia: 3 – BiH: 2,4 – Kosovo: 1.8 – Albania:

1.05 – Montenegro: 0.8

• Central Asia: € 5 million – 1 M€ per country

Tempus IV

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Grant size and project duration

• Both for Joint Projects and Structural Projects

• From € 500,000 to € 1,500,000

• Minimum grant size for countries with annual budgets below € 1 million: € 300,000 (Albania, Montenegro, Central Asia)

• Project duration: from 24 to 36 months

Tempus IV

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New elements (I)• No longer a “Guide for Applicants” with four

parts but one call for proposals with annexes• Guidance to fill in the application form (Part 4 of

former Guide for Applicants) is now integrated into the application form

• No more Individual Mobility Grants • No more Complementary Measures• Larger projects with more partners (small

projects targeting one university will not be funded anymore) Increase of grant size

• Introduction of a new type of Structural Measures for Ministries of Education only (direct grants – not subject of the call for proposals)

Tempus IV

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New elements (II)• Programme-wide and national priorities are

compulsory• New partner country: Israel• Participation on self-financing basis: Turkey and

EFTA countries only• EU applicants must have adhered to the

Erasmus University Charter• Universities in Partner Countries can act as grant

applicants• Involvement of non academic partners is

encouraged• Teacher and student organisations can be

involved as partners and applicants• Involvement of students or their organisations

throughout the project life is encouraged

Tempus IV

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New elements (III)

• No threshold for staff costs anymore: proof of cost- effectiveness instead

• Student mobility: maximum 3 months to avoid overlap with Erasmus Mundus/ECW(mobility must be recognised)

• More emphasis on dissemination and sustainability

• Programme centrally managed by the Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture in Brussels under the leadership of the European Commission

• Executive Agency responsible for entire project cycle including contracts and payments

Tempus IV

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New elements (IV)

Conditions for non-eligibility have been reinforced:

• legal entities which have managed a Tempus project in the past two years which has been terminated by the Commission may not apply for a grant;

• proposals which are obviously "copied" and just include different partners and another partner country are not eligible.

Tempus IV

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Programme priorities (I)

• Strict adherence to national priorities for national projects

• Programme-wide priorities and project types are defined around the EU higher education modernisation agenda (3 blocks)

• National priorities defined by the Ministries of Education (selected from the programme-wide priorities) both for Joint Projects and Structural Measures

• Re Curricular development for Joint Projects, specific academic disciplines were identified

Tempus IV

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Programme priorities (II)

Block 1: Curricular reform

• Introduction of the three cycle system

• ECTS and recognition of degrees

• Modernisation of curricula (+national priorities for academic disciplines)

Tempus IV

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Programme priorities (III)

Block 2: Governance reform

• University management and services for students• Introduction of quality assurance• Institutional and financial autonomy and

accountability• Equal and transparent access to higher education• Development of international relations

Tempus IV

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Programme priorities (IV)

Block 3: Higher education and society

• Training of non-univerity teachers• Development of partnerships with enterprises• Knowledge triangle education-research-innovation• Training courses for public services (ministries,

regional/local authorities)• Development of lifelong in society at large• Qualification frameworks

Tempus IV

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Timetable

• Jan. 08: Publication of first call for proposals + application form in EN, FR, DE

• April 2008: Deadline for the submission of proposals• June – July 2008: Evaluation procedure• Aug – Sept 2008: Consultation procedure• October 2008: Selection panel• November 2008: Publication of results (approx 80

projects funded)• December 2008: Contracting and pre-financing

Tempus IV

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Evaluation procedure

• Quality and feasibility of proposals

evaluated by independent academic experts• Technical and financial evaluation

independent academic experts• Consultation of national authorities, EC Delegations,

National Tempus Offices• Results of the evaluation procedure final ranking,

grant award decision

Tempus IV

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Priority given to proposals that:

• Involve a representative number of higher education

institutions from a partner country• Involve non-academic consortium members• Promote interregional cooperation activities• Demonstrate that they actively involve students or

their organisations• Demonstrate a strong institutional and individual

capacity building process• Demonstrate a wider impact on higher education

institutions and systems

Tempus IV

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Eligible partnerships for national projects

• At least two higher education institutions, each from a differentEU Member State

• At least one academic or non-academic partner from a third EU Member State (new)

• At least three higher education institutions from the partner country (in the case of Montenegro, Kosovo and FYROM one institution is sufficient)

Tempus IV

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Eligible partnerships for multi-country projects

• At least two higher education institutions, each from a different EU Member State

• At least one academic or non-academic partner from a third EU Member State (new)

• At least one higher education institution from each partner country

Tempus IV

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Eligible partners

• State-recognised higher education institutions from the EU and the partner countries

• Associations and networks of higher education insitutions

• Public authorities (ministries or national/regional administrations)

• National and international rector, teacher and student organisations

• Non-governmental organisations• Social partner and their training organisations• Private and public enterprises

Tempus IV

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Applicants

• Must prove their operational capacity: CVs of project team and list of projects already undertaken in the relevant field

• Must prove their financial capacity: profit and loss accounts of the last three years (public bodies are excepted from this proof)

Tempus IV

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Eligible costs for Joint Projects and Structural Measures

• At least 5 % co-financing

Eligible costs:

• Staff costs (no more ceiling) for academic and admin staff

• Travel and subsistence• Equipment (max. 30%) and supplies• Printing and publishing• 7% administrative costs

Tempus IV

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Eligible activities for Structural Projects

• Surveys and studies• Policy and expert advice;• Organisation of conferences, seminars, workshops,

round tables• Staff training on policy issues• Awareness raising campaigns

The Ministry of Education must

• Directly participate in the project, or• Formally endorse the projects’ objectives and activities

Tempus IV

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Two other types of actions under Tempus IV

• Direct support to the Ministries of Education to promote higher education reforms

• Accompanying Measures Funded through calls for proposals,

calls for tender or framework contracts Dissemination and information

activities such as thematic conferences, studies

Tempus IV

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ERASMUS MUNDUS

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ERASMUS MUNDUS First Phase 2004-2008: main outputs

103 Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses 6,000 grants for incoming third-country students 1,000 grants for incoming third-country academics 50 Partnerships 4,000 grants for outgoing EU-students 800 grants for outgoing EU-scholars 50 attractiveness projects

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Message received from evaluation

The programme is a success and should be continued

Unanimous messages across all consultations

Main changes resquested: Increase scholarships for EU students Include joint doctoral programmes Better serve the needs of third-country

universities, an include them in joint programmes

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS II:2009-2013 Objectives

Enhance the quality of European higher education

Promote dialogue and understanding between peoples and cultures through cooperation with third countries

Promote EU external policy objectives and the sustainable development of higher education in third countries

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Three actions

Action 1: Erasmus Mundus joint masters and joint doctoral programmes of outstanding academic quality, including a scholarship scheme

Action 2: Partnerships between EU and third country HEI in specific regions as a basis for structural co-operation and mobility at all levels of higher education

Action 3: Measures to enhance the attractiveness of the EU as an education destination

Technical support measures (Executive Agency, studies, experts, etc)

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Action 1: Masters

Joint integrated masters programmes (expected output = 150)

Offered by HEIs in at least three EU countries

HEIs in third countries may participate (new!)

Joint admission, selection and exam criteria

Obligatory mobility Award of double, multiple or joint

degrees Joint degrees are given priority (new!) Selected for five years Increased weight on quality assurance

and monitoring (new!)

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Action 1: Doctoral studies

Joint integrated doctoral programmes (new!) (excepted output = 35)

Same features as joint masters programmes plus:

Focus on inter-disciplinarity and innovation

Participation of industry, research centres etc

« Co-tutelle » for thesis Possibility of a preparatory year

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Action 1: Scholarships

Scholarship scheme linked to joint programmes (students and scholars must apply for schalarships to selected consortia)

Full-study scholarships for students at master level - 2-year scholarships

Full-study scholarships for students at doctorate level (new!)

- 3-year scholarships

Short-term scholarships for academics at master / doctorate level

- 3 months to teach or do research

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Action 2: partnerships (new!)

Continuation of present « External Cooperation Window »

Scholarships for scholars and students 1st Call in 2006 = 9 Lots (neighbours,

Mediterranean area, Central Asia), 9 projects

2nd Call in 2007 = 12 Lots (+ Balkans, Asia, ACP, Latin America)

Large partnerships between EU and third countries’ universities in specific regions

Erasmus-style cooperation mechanisms, tranfer of know-how

Priorities defined by the third countries concerned

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Action 2: partnerships (new!)

Scholarship scheme linked to partnerships (new!) Scholarships for third countries and EU nationals of varying length

(3 months to 3 years)

Scholarships for bachelor, master, doctorate and post-doctorate students and HE staff (training, teaching, research)

Mobility not linked to specific programmes

Use of Erasmus mobility features and instruments

Special attention paid to socio-economically disadvantaged groups and populations in a vulnerable situation

Anti brain drain measures

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS Action 3: enhance attractiveness

Projects to enhance the attractiveness of EU HE in the world

Enhance the attractiveness, profile, image, visibility and accessibility of EU universities

Projects relating to the international dimension of HE (promotion, QA, credit recognition, mutual recognition of qualifications, curriculum development, mobility, quality of services …)

Promotion of the programme and its outputs Grants to National Structures for information and

dissemination activities (new!) Conference, seminars, workshops, studies, analyses, pilot

projects, prizes, international networks, Public / private bodies active in HE (Eu and non-EU)

Erasmus Mundus

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Implementation calendar

For Erasmus Mundus II:

• Publication of 1st call for proposals Erasmus Mundus II: late 2008 for courses starting in the academic year 2009/2010

Remaining deadlines under Erasmus Mundus I:

• Action 2 (scholarships): deadlines set by Masters Courses (normally January), selection May 2008, start academic year 2008/09

• Action 4 (partnerships): deadline May 2008, selection October 2008, start November 2008

Erasmus Mundus

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ERASMUS MUNDUS

EXTERNALCOOPERATION

WINDOW

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

• Complementarity with Tempus• National priorities defined by Ministries• Mobility programme for students and academic-staff• New action launched in 2006 with a budget of 36 M€ for the

first call• 1st call: 87 applications received, 9 selected, 1800 students

and academic staff• Grants awarded between EUR 1 M and EUR 6 M• Study level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral level

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

Projects composed of two parts:

1) Partnership activities for the organisation of mobilities• Quality support measures for students and academic staff• Enhancement of international cooperation capacities• Academic recognition of study periods abroad• Transparent selection mechanisms• Visibility and communication strategy

2) Implementation of individual mobilities for students and academic staff

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

Budget for the 2007 call: M€ 100,3 (41,5 present lots – 58,8 new lots)

Geographical coverage for the 2007 call for proposals (12 lots in 2007):

• Central & Eastern Europe + Russia ) M€ 33,5 – 1225 mobilities

• Mediterranean countries )• Asia regional: M€ 20 – 655 mobilities• India: M€ 9,6 – 320 mobilities• Central Asia: M€ 5 – 160 mobilities• Yemen, Iran, Irak: M€ 3 – 110 mobilities• Latin America: Brazil (M€ 9.3), Chile (M€ 5), Mexico (M€ 4)• Africa, Caribbean and Pacific: M€ 5 – 155 mobilities• Western Balkans: M€ 6 – 300 mobilities

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

5 Dec. 2007: Publication of the 2007 Call for Proposals

15 Feb. 2008: Deadline for the submission of applications

May 2008: Grant Award Decision

May 2008 onwards: Selection of students & academic staff

July 2008 – April 2009: Start of student and academic staff mobility

1 Dec 2008: submission of individual mobility list

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

Planned duration of projects: max 45 months

Preparatory activities: from 15 July 2008

Mobility up to 34 months

All individual mobilities must start at the latest by 1st April 2009

List of selected students and academic staff to be provided by 1 Dec 09

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

Financing for consortia: from 1 to 9,6 million Euros:

• Organisation of mobility: 10,000€ per university, per lot• Scholarships: travel, living allowance, full insurance, fees

(limited or Erasmus fee waiver)• Undergraduate + Master scholarship: € 1000/month + tuition

fees (€3.000) + insurance (€75/ month)• Doctorate scholarship: € 1500/month + tuition fees (€3.000)

+ insurance (€75/ month)• Post doctorale scholarship: € 1800/month + tuition fees

(€5.000) + insurance (€75/ month)• Academic staff fellowship: € 2500/month + insurance (€75/

month)

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

Partnership requirements:

• At least 5 European HEI (holding an Erasmus Charter) + 1 HEI from each of the third-countries covered in the geographical lot (exceptions for lots with particular difficulties)

• Max. 20 eligible partners (incl. the applicant)

• The same partnership can apply to 4 lots max

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

Mobility grants for:

• Undergraduate, master, doctorate, post-doctorate, academic staff

1) students & scholars from the selected consortia2) or students outside the selected consortia3) or vulnerable students

• Consortia selected by the Commission

• Students and scholars selected by the universities

External cooperation window

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ERASMUS MUNDUS EXTERNALCOOPERATION WINDOW

Duration of mobilities:• For students: from 6 to 34 months• For academic staff: 1-3 months

Indicative distribution of mobilities:• Undergraduates: 35%• Masters: 25%• Doctorates: 20%• Post graduate fellowships: 10%• Academic staff: 10%

External cooperation window

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Thank you for your attention !

More on http://ec.europa.eu/tempus

http://ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/extcoop/call/index.htm