Staff mobility needs to be given the same kind of attention as is paid to student mobility if universities’ internationalisation strategies are to succeed, says a new report from the European University Association and the Academic Cooperation Association.
The report, Connecting Mobility Policies and Practice: Observations and recommendations on national and institutional developments in Europe, is largely based on the results of the Mobility Policy-Practice Connect, or MPPC, project supported by the European Commission’s lifelong learning programme.
This saw workshops, focus groups and university visits take place in three European countries in cooperation with the Lithuanian University Rectors’ Conference, or LURK, the Conference of French University Presidents, or CPU, and the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference, or MRK.
‘Cross-institutional buy-in’
Among the many conclusions is that while higher education mobility in Europe is a long-standing political priority – often expressed through Erasmus, the European Credit Transfer System and the Bologna Process – more needs to be done to encourage “cross-institutional buy-in for mobility objectives beyond the international office”.
In particular, staff mobility needs to be given “a stronger focus within strategies, whether for internationalisation, research or teaching”.
Read my full story ‘More focus needed on higher education staff mobility’ in University World News
Also see our blog ‘Internationalise by integrating your international students.’