Exchange for Everyone
Integrating exchange opportunities in
study programmes in Norway since
Bologna
Agder University College
Clare Jortveit
Turku, 21 March 2006
The Quality Reform
Kvalitetsreformen
The Bologna process in Norway:
•
New degree structure (3-yr Bachelor / 2 yr Master)
January 1, 2003
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ECTS grading and credit system
July 1, 2003
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New methods of assessment
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Study plans (for each student for programmes of
60 credits or more)
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Quality control assurance system
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INTERNATIONALIZATION
Internationalization
From the Ministry of Education and Research,March 9,
2001
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”Norwegian institutions shall be in the forefront
of academic cooperation and student exchange.
All HEIs are required to offer students a period
abroad as a part of their Norwegian degrees if the
students so desire.”
•
”The Ministry believes it is important that Norwegian
universities and university colleges continue to build
up an academic offer in English.”
•
From 2002, 5000 NOK from the Ministry for each
student in and out connected to an agreement (3
months or more). Balance!
Internationalization at AUC
The Dream
•
Establishment of a strategic plan for the
university college and for each faculty
Administrative and academic resources
allocated to internationalization at faculty level
Incentives for international activity
Language courses for students & faculty
Increased teaching staff mobility
All bachelor and master programmes
•
•
•
•
•
–
–
–
–
at least 1 semester exchange integrated
agreements established on academic level to fill this
need, with an emphasis on Europe
at least one semester taught in English
include components with an international dimension
The plan
(approved by the Board, June 19, 2002):
•
All bachelor and master programmes must contain
modules that make possible an exchange or study
abroad period of at least 30 credits (1 semester)
•
All bachelor and master programmes should plan
modules of at least 30 credits taught in a foreign
language. Instruction in a foreign language should
be implemented as soon as possible
•
A strategic plan for internationalization at the
university college should be developed based upon
the recommendations of the reference group… The
rector has the authority to mandate, appoint a
working group and set a deadline for the work
Implementation
- From 2002
•
All applications for new Bachelor and Master
programmes include pt. 15 – student exchange
•
All BAMA programmes established August 2003 and
later only approved if they have satisfied this point
•
All existent 3 & 2-year programmes approved en
masse as Bachelor and Master, and each faculty
was responsible for checking that exchange was
integrated
Programmes with exchange
semesters
2003
With exchange
No exchange
2005
With exchange
No exchange
It’s institutional
Brochure
marketing
office
Diploma
Handbook
exam office
faculties
International
Office
Webpages
Study plans
faculties
faculties
Student web
students
Visibility
Brochure Template:
Type of programme
Location
Admission requirements
Recommended Pre-requisites
How to apply
Application deadline
Structure
Student exchange
”Bachelor in Business and Economics - Exchange abroad –
Students can go on exchange in spring semester of the
second year or in the third year.”
Visibility
Student Handbook / ECTS Catalogue Template:
Aim and objective
Professional goal and access to further studies
Admission requirements
Recommended previous knowledge
Content
Course structure diagram
Organisation, Education and forms of Evaluation
Requirements for continuing in the study program
Student Exchange
Other Information
”Bachelor in Business and Economics: Student Exchange
Students may go on exchange during spring semester of the
programme's second year or during the third year of the
programme. Contact International Office for further details.”
Visibility
Study plans:
From fall 2006, students can select student
exchange when they confirm their study plans
- exchange can be chosen in each semester where
it is possible for each study programme
In practice
Pre-approval:
All studies to be taken abroad approved by the study
programme coordinator (or the student receives no
loan)
Final approval:
All studies taken abroad and any changes made
approved upon receipt of a transcript (or the loan
is not converted to stipend)
The Reality
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Internationalization Strategy document approved
2004
ECTS and DS label 2004
”The Global and Mulitcultural Society” is one of five
focus areas of AUC’s new strategy, 2005
All new bachelor and master programmes claim to
allow at least one semester exchange
Very few new programmes contain modules taught
in English
Result: lack of reciprocal exchange, more students
out than in (net financial loss)
Student exchange 02-05
300
250
200
150
in
out
100
50
0
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
First students covered by the new programmes went abroad in spring 2005
Limitations
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Enforcement - Central administration has not
checked that old programmes have exchange
semesters
Lack of faculty-level agreements
– leads to increased institutional agreements =
less familiarity with academic content =
increased study abroad = imbalance
Does not cover one-year programmes or selfcomposed bachelor degrees
Conclusions
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•
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Awareness among students increases
exchange (Surprise!)
The more people involved across the
institution, the more awareness there is
Importance of exchange must also come from
the top
A must works, a should does not!
THANK YOU! Clare.Jortveit@hia.no