Antoinette Charon W

University Networks and Associations in Europe: Role and FunctionAntoinette CHARON WAUTERSUniversity of Lausanne, SwitzerlandEAIE President: 

University Networks and Associations in Europe: Role and Function Antoinette CHARON WAUTERS University of Lausanne, Switzerland EAIE President CSC 10th anniversary and International Student Mobility conference Beijing - June 15-17, 2006

University Networks and Associations in Europe: Role and FunctionSUMMARY: 

University Networks and Associations in Europe: Role and Function SUMMARY European background University Networks Higher Education Associations Conclusions and proposal

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= a small and large continent 966 million inhabitants 49 countries 41 national languages 225 regional languages European Union 25 countries 20 national languages Europe

European background: 

In Europe 2 main impulses of reform have forced the universities to actively internationalise and network : • 1987 : Start of the EU - Education Exchange programs : ERASMUS, COMETT, … Foster mobility of students and teaching staff « the time of cooperation, and… Europeanisation » • 1999 : 'Bologna Declaration' European background

1. European background: 

1. European background “Bologna Declaration” 1999 - 45 heads of European Governments and States agree to: reform their higher education structures to achieve a greater compatibility (Bachelor min 3 yrs – Master) assure worldwide competitiveness of the European Higher Education launch an action programme up to the year 2010 = “the time of improved cooperation … and competition”

2. University Networks: 

2. University Networks 3 types: a. Field related University networks Ex : Engineering (CESAER) b. Thematic networks launched by the EU Ex : Languages (ELC) c. Institutional Academic Networks

2. University Networks: 

The 5 Institutional Academic Networks Utrecht Network 31 universities www.utrecht-network.org/ Santander Group 40 universities www.sgroup.be/ Coimbra Group 40 universities www.coimbra-group.be/ Compostela Group 81 universities www.grupocompostela.org/ UNICA 41 universities www.ulb.ac.be/unica 2. University Networks

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41 members from 32 countries 130,000 staff 1,500,000 students 6'750 exchange students in 2004-2005 UNIversities from the CApitals of Europe Founded in 1990

3. Higher Education Associations: 

3. Higher Education Associations A. At the national levels a. Rectors, Presidents, Vice-chancelors Conferences b. Student's Unions c. University International Officers and Staff Networks ex: IRUS in Switzerland

3. Higher Education Associations: 

3. Higher Education Associations B. At international level: 3 main associations a. Rectors, Presidents, Vice-chancelors The European University Association EUA b. Students The National Unions of Students in Europe ESIB c. ‘International Educators’ EAIE

EAIE in Summary : 

EAIE in Summary From 70 countries worldwide Over 1800 members Founded in 1989 Different professional levels

Membership: 

EAIE (1) Membership Academics and administrative staff Rectors and vice-rectors Directors and staff of international offices Exchange programme coordinators Credential evaluators Language and intercultural issues specialists Academic staff and counsellors Educators and researchers dealing with aspects of internationalisation …

Activities: 

EAIE (2) Activities Annual Conference 3 days/ >2,000 participants Exhibition area Each year another European location Training courses et regional seminars 14 in 2005-2006 Internal and external communication Publications, website, e-services

Geographical distribution in 2005  Membership (1737) / Conference attendees (2032): 

EAIE (3) Geographical distribution in 2005 Membership (1737) / Conference attendees (2032)

Main contributions: 

EAIE (4) Main contributions Disseminate information on Higher Education developments Promotes students mobility programmes Help meeting partners and network Train the internationalisation actors Facilitate exchanges of ideas on internationalisation Give density/strength to the membership opinions

4. Conclusions and proposal (1): 

4. Conclusions and proposal (1) As Universities must turn international to survive and develop a. Networks are competing instruments to attain this goal b. Associations are completing instruments to attain this goal

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One recent trend: The creation of an International 'Council' or 'Summit' of International Education Associations is under discussion as many International Education Associations feel the need to improve their present collaboration. These associations want to: 4. Conclusions and proposal (2)

4. Conclusions and proposal (3): 

4. Conclusions and proposal (3) Share their experience Learn from each other region of the world Use their conferences for 'cross fertilisation' (sessions, workshops, seminars, etc.) Build common training courses Participate in or launch research in the internationalisation field

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…and are looking forward to work with Chinese partners Next meeting in Basel, Switzerland at the EAIE conference, Sept 13, 2006 4. Conclusions and proposal (4)

Conference: 

Conference