Internationalisation as a process

Weaving a patchwork rug – combining project-based, local,

regional and alternative funding for study and research at a German

university , Rome May, 23rd, 2011

Dr. Arnim Heinemann, University of Bayreuth

Internationalisation as a process • internationalisation - omnipresent topic within the discussions of university development as well as academic management• BUT not all HEI have already successfully managed to apply a structured thematic approach and implement it successfully•Why to internationalise – demographic development and beyond• Today’s presentation – attempt to describe possible procedures as well as point out main opportunities and obstacles with regard to: • special funding opportunities,

• Fostering and development of international relations - key issues for a competitive university

• Central building block of the university’s future

concept

• “Competition for the best brains/minds“ defines INT as a co-operative task which should be carried out fairly among partners

• Mobility: Incomings as important as outgoings

QM-based approach• INT should be based on academic

research• Main issues: international co-

operations, recruitment of foreign students and academics, studying abroad and support services

• Due to the various demands of each department, the degree programmes and target groups, INT should aim for a nuanced focus regarding discipline as well as geographical regions

• Main objective: increase the research and teaching quality and therefore the attraction of the university as an internationally outstanding setting of research and study

Activity spheres of internationalisation and exchange

Research Teaching

Co-operation Recruitment Studying abroad

Service including Fund(rais)ing

Partners (HE sector, industry and politics)• Benchmark partners (in depth cooperation and

exchange including central strategies and concepts, „open-cards approach“)

• Priviledged partners (intensive co-operation in research, teaching and administration)

• Standard partners (save with minimal effort)• Sleeping / inactive partners (don‘t wake or let

go)

Vision Research: co-operation with the best partners worldwide in each field and attractive living conditions for international students and researchers (incl. funding opportunities)Teaching: Increasing the proportion of excellent and particularly suited foreign full-time and programme students · Semesters and internships abroad as a desirable, where possible fixed part of the degree course· Visiting lecturer programmes (including colloquia, held by visiting lecturers) and foreign academics (20% foreign lecturers, internationally acclaimed academics), Joint Colleges and a Worldwide network of alumniAdministration· Service orientation and intercultural competence· Foreign language competence· Transparent processes· Develop local, regional and private fundraising

• Implementation of Agenda 2020 - Internal formation of structures

• Internationalisation - task of the governing body of the university• To be realised by a Vice President for International Affairs • Presidential commission for International Relations and Contacts Abroad controls

the process• International Office conceptualizing and driving force • Successful implementation - students and researchers are coming!

• EU students: no financial prove needed • From beyond Europe: 650€/month

(7.800€/year), i.e. applicant + university have to contextualize the process of studies financially at least for one year in advance

• Advantage: search for a long-term solutions in advance when candidates would still be at home and therefore eligible for general public funding such as offered by the German Academic Exchange Service

• General public funding not sufficient • Alternative funding has to be found • This concerns also EU students,

especially from Eastern Europe • Problem: nobody notices until they are

there, especially if they come through an ERASMUS cooperation and get enrolled without paying tuition fees

• Project-based funding: - graduate level (student jobs), -post graduate level (part-time jobs);

• need to include flexible funds in each project budget;

• communicate opportunities online as a decisive argument in favour of the university

• Funding provided by the university: - post-graduate level (research grants, 3-6 months) - bridge emergency gaps

• Local funding: - fundraising in the local community (authorities, politics, industry, private associations or donors)

• Regional funding: Bavarian fund for

incomings • Size Budget based on mobility statistics • Handed over to universities as flexible fund

• These funding instruments:• Flexible and individual• Support students and scholars in

precarious situations• Shows, how much the university,

the community and the region are interested in successfully educate them

• Are establishing a bond between the person and the location/ institution

• Result in long standing relationship as alumni, research partner abroad or even employee

• Alternative funding example:

• PhD fellow from Africa • Difficulties during the

central field study period – delay

• Funding period through general public research fund is about to lapse and there is no formal possibility to extend it

• No sufficient funding - residence permit would lapse as well

• Back to home country where circumstances would not allow to finish the research project in due time, if at all

• Established blocked account monitored by a lawyer (alumni, no charges) in order to win the confidence of the different sources involved

• PhD candidate was allowed to withdraw 650€ monthly to cover living expenses

•Several cases annually• different regarding proportions & complexity• management through “weaving the patchwork-rug”

THANK YOU!

Towards a need-based effort-benefit ratio – conceptualizing and

implementing a comprehensive internationalisation strategy at a

German university,EURAXESS, Rome May, 23rd, 2011

Dr. Arnim Heinemann, University of Bayreuth