The strategic policy for 2013-2016 focuses on the further development of the University of Antwerp towards a self-evidently international university. The theme of internationalization is amply dealt with in the three sections on education, research and service to the community.<\/p>\n
This paper outlines the actions required for the internationalization of the educational programmes, which include structural measures in the study programmes and in the policy and organization of student and staff mobility.<\/p>\n
The action plan of the Flemish government \u2018Brains on the move\u2019 also strives for a structured approach to the internationalization of higher education. Regarding student mobility, ambitious new goals have been formulated and additional financial incentives have been provided. In view of this action plan a strategy needs to be determined as well.<\/p>\n
Internationalization is not a goal in itself but an essential condition for excellent and high-quality academic performance. During the previous rector\u2019s term of office, quantitative targets were emphasized for the evaluation of the internationalization of the activities. In the period 2013-2016, the policy focuses on the adequate international orientation of the University of Antwerp, which should be a given, also in administrative structures, both university-wide and in the faculties and departments. Increased recruitment of international students and staff needs to be combined with a well-considered, good-quality policy for delivering efficient and excellent services and assuring their smooth integration in the university. The increasing international activities of staff and students need to be supported in the best possible way.<\/p>\n
The aim is to embed internationalization in the curricula in a fully structured way. Quality control can be realized by formulating explicitly the international and intercultural competences which should be acquired and including them in assessment as well.<\/p>\n
Various forms of \u2018internationalization at home\u2019 need to be encouraged and facilitated, enabling all students to gain the required international and intercultural competences whether or not they actually undergo an international experience abroad. Student mobility needs to be anchored in a sustainable way through good policy and careful management of international partnerships. Alternative mobility opportunities should increase participation rates. Targeted measures designed to reach underrepresented group of students should encourage them to embark on an international experience.<\/p>\n
Steering internationalization<\/strong><\/p>\n The policy framework described will incentivize changes in the study programmes, put the educational offer in perspective internationally and optimize the management and services of the mobility. The second task lies with the International Relations Office, which coordinates the communication with all internal and external stakeholders (students, staff, international partner universities). Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n The proposed actions are the responsibility of the Department of Education Policy and University & Community (which the International Relations Office is part of). For most actions, close cooperation is required.<\/p>\n This action plan cannot be realized without adequate financial resources. \u2018Brains on the move\u2019 provides additional but limited student grants. In future it is expected that the outcomes of well-functioning student and staff mobility will be taken into account in the allocation of government funding.<\/p>\n The University Fund for Educational Development will be used partly to stimulate the faculties to invest more in the internationalization of the curricula. Efforts for obtaining external funding for the internationalization of education will be encouraged and continuously supported.<\/p>\n Action plan<\/strong><\/p>\n All actions include a time schedule, evaluation criteria, and operational and policy actors.<\/p>\n Action 1 Enhancing internationalization in curriculum design<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 at central level (university-wide): development of a policy framework regarding international and intercultural competences Planned outcomes: vision texts, identification of course units with an international dimension, (sustainable) increase of outgoing mobility, minimum of one English-taught Master programme per faculty, increased number of international study programmes<\/p>\n Action 2 Student-centred, competence-based and motivating online teaching and assessment tools<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 staff development: internal training to increase teaching by means of online and mobile learning paying special attention to internationalization at home (refers to the Media and Learning Environment action plan) Planned outcomes: organization of seminars, membership of COIL, attendance at COIL conferences<\/p>\n Action 3 Sustainable increase in staff and student mobility<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Development of an institutional strategy with internal targets, to cope with the requirements of the \u2018Brains on the move\u2019 action plan at Flemish level. Planned outcomes: institutional strategy, student survey, yearly \u2018international day\u2019, vision text per educational programme, alternative forms of student mobility, increased number of graduates who have international work experience.<\/p>\n Action 4: Mobility quality control<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Systematic processing of student evaluations after the mobility period (outgoing & incoming students) Planned outcomes: progress in mobility policy leading to more quality control<\/p>\n Action 5: Enhancing the international character of the University of Antwerp<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Improvement of services to international students, enhancement of the university\u2019s international orientation and involvement in all services via the establishment of an International Students Office: Action 6: Recruiting international students<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Coordination of the information offered to international students in order to develop a user-friendly website Planned outcomes: optimal use of funding, promotion of facilities with the aim of increasing recruitment of international students<\/p>\n Action 7: Didactic support for teaches and staff members<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Professionalization of teachers regarding internationalization of the curriculum Action 8: Language policy<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Follow-up of the legislation on the use of foreign languages in higher education (non-Dutch course units) The strategic policy for 2013-2016 focuses on the further development of the … <\/p>\n
\nIn order to realize the first task, a central unit, established as a cooperation between the Department of Educational Policy and the International Relations Office, will support and guide the faculties in their initiatives linked to the internationalization of curriculum development, framing them in the institutional policy. This unit is guided by a steering group.<\/p>\n
\nThe increasing number of international degree students and the need for specific services require a coherent approach. Therefore an International Students Office will be established.
\nDecisions on future actions are taken by the Education Board and the Board of Services to the University and the Community.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 at programme level: develop vision, formulate international and intercultural competences and assessment
\n\u2022 internationalization at home: inclusion of the international dimension in each programme in a structural way
\n\u2022 introduction of a \u2018mobility window\u2019, when curriculum changes occur
\n\u2022 recognition of international and intercultural competences acquired during extra-curricular international activities (within the general Flemish framework, to be developed)
\n\u2022 continuous development of the Antwerp Summer University intended for international and Flemish students, and stimulating the inclusion of a summer school in the curricula
\n\u2022 steering strategic themes: entrepreneurship, sustainability, interdisciplinarity, environment, urban issues, etc.
\n\u2022 larger range of English-taught Master programmes
\n\u2022 continuous stimulation of and support for the development of international study programmes (double\/joint degrees)<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 one online centre for educational support, offering tools, good practices, etc.
\n\u2022 development and support of international networking regarding \u2018global networked learning\u2019 (COIL, etc.)<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Actions to raise awareness of the added value of international mobility among staff, students and programme coordinators, development of efficient communication, survey on the expectations and attitudes of students regarding studying abroad.
\n\u2022 Development of a vision on mobility per educational programme: formulate aims and indicators, develop alternative forms of student mobility, additionally focusing on underrepresented groups in mobility, further development of internships during the programmes and after graduation.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Investigation of ways to assess international and intercultural competences before, during and after the mobility period
\n\u2022 Survey among alumni regarding the added value of the mobility period in terms of their career opportunities, adaptation of the alumni database
\n\u2022 Good policy regarding international partnerships, at institutional and faculty level, based on criteria (to be developed)<\/p>\n
\no Development of a coherent welcome policy
\no Streamlining of procedures and communication
\no Organizing consultations between all internal stakeholders
\n\u2022 Continuous development of the Antwerp Summer university: use of university premises and services during summer months
\n\u2022 Participation in international networks for open educational resources<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Updating information about the University of Antwerp on international websites and portals
\n\u2022 Attendance at international fairs and events
\n\u2022 Identification of excellent international students (who qualify for Flemish grants for merit)<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Offer of didactic support for online coaching and instructional design at programme level<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Development of support for students with regard to foreign languages (as part of the programme or extracurricular)
\n\u2022 Setting of criteria for minimum language competences for incoming and outgoing students
\n\u2022 Offer of support and facilities regarding the language requirements for teaching in a foreign language (English)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"