WORKSHOP

Organization and Role of IRO’s and Study Affairs Offices

Organization and Role:

International Relations Office

University of Maribor,

July 2007

TASKS OF IRO REGARDING BOLOGNA PROCESS - PHASES

• Idea.

• Network building.

• Application.

• Development.

• Implementation/Accreditation.

• Sustainability.

• Idea.

• Network building.

• Application.

• Development.

• Implementation/Accreditation.

• Sustainability.

ORGANIZATION OF IRO AT UM

In com ing O utg o ing N e tw o rk S e c re te ria te S e c re ta ry T ra in e e (o cca s io n a lly) S tud e nt su p po rt H o p e fo r m o re

H e a d o f O ffice

-Organigramme:http://lpt.uni-mb.si/bbr/bbr/sistemizacija/docs/indeks.php

IDEA

IROs organise events for the promotion of Bologna Declaration, raise awareness among the teachers and managers in higher education, suggest possibilities for the further development of existing plans presented by the visitors to the events.

NETWORK BUILDING

• Seeking for potential partners using existing contacts and opening new contacts – development of presentations, participation in academic fairs, visiting international conferences

• Preparation of meetings, providing of funds for preparatory visits

• Eventually: proceedings for network agreements

APPLICATION

• Advice regarding the choice of the programme/call for applications

• Providing application forms from the different programmes

• Helping out in the process of filling-out application forms (rules, supporting documents, English, terminology, calculations, eligibility)

• Providing of documents on grant applicants (legal identity forms, financial forms)

• Verification of application before signature

• Watching the deadlines

• Sometimes: filling – out the complete application

DEVELOPMENT

• Preparation of meetings

• Advice regarding proceedings, rules, bodies

• Technical support (communication; verification of documents; organisation of events – arrival, stay, departure; administrative tasks)

• Providing models of good practice/experts

• Supervision of project phases (deadlines, eligibility of expenditures, seeking for the best subcontractors)

• Support in preparation of implementation phase

IMPLEMENTATION/ACCREDITATION

• Preparation of documents

• Communication (contact between players)

• Organisation of events

• Support in report preparation

• Verification and forwarding of documents for accreditation (on national level done by study affairs offices)

SUSTAINABILITY

• Dissemination

• Organisation of mobility/events

• Support and advice for following projects – making proposals

LIMITS

• IROs cannot carry contents of projects/programmes

• IROs are not academic staff – academic affairs belong in the competence of the academic staff (project coordinator)

• IROs do not print money

“We do the impossible at once,

miracles take a little time”