Project REACT
1. Introduction to the Project:
Units coordinating actions related to admitting and serving foreign students at universities are not often adjusted to completely and efficiently accomplish the tasks they are assigned. In order to improve professional qualifications of the administrative staff, the four universities (Wrocław University of Technology, the University of Almeria, the University of Porto, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus) concluded a Partnership aimed to exchange experiences and good practices in the scope of serving foreign students. The choice of partners was dictated in particular by a wish to evaluate competences of the administrative staff and the solutions applied in various regions of Europe as well as to develop and tighten cooperation with particular universities. The Project University Administrative Staff Closer to foreign students-"REACT” will allow to draw up the Compendium of Good Practices in serving foreign students effectively, which will be implemented by the administrative staff working directly with foreign students.
2. The main aims of the Project:
Within 2 years all Partners will meet during workshops and consultations devoted to the specific topic.
Workshops and consultation visits will allow to thoroughly analyse problems arising at each university engaged in the project. The purpose of consultation visits will be evaluation of the functioning of Foreign Student Service Centres and other units cooperating with foreign students (dean's offices, dormitories). At each university a working party comprising 2-4 employees that serve foreign students will be established. As a result of these meetings methods to eliminate negative phenomena and to improve the foreign student service process will be worked out in the form of the Compendium.
4. The first meeting:
The first meeting, which initiated the realization of the Project, was held in Wroclaw on 3-4 November 2011. Not only did the partners were invited but also the representatives of the units of Wrocław University of Technology who are involved directly in the international student service (staff members of the Admission Office, Student’s Affairs Office, the representatives of the dormitories and the Dean’s Offices). During the meeting the guests presented the basic information about the structure of their home university and character of work, scope of duties and tasks carried out. The presentation was followed up by the discussion about the general differences and solutions concerning international student service. Additionally International Office of Wrocław University of Technology organized a visit at the Faculty of Computer Science and Management where the guests could familiarize with the activity of the Faculty and its commitment to the international cooperation. The representatives of partner universities appreciated the activity of Student Information Point as well.
On the next day, during the workshop participants discussed on the internal regulations which normalize the international student status on each university, their duties and obligations, the process of recruitment and completion of studies. Additionally, we shared information and good experiences in the scope of health insurance, legalization of stay accommodation and IT platform which aim is to gather obligatory data of international students. The other issues discussed included the following topics: fees, the activity of student service, interpersonal and language courses for staff members.
Photos from the meeting: 1, 2, 3
Next meeting will be held in University of Almeria where the activity of student organizations will be discussed in details.
Units coordinating actions related to admitting and serving foreign students at universities are not often adjusted to completely and efficiently accomplish the tasks they are assigned. In order to improve professional qualifications of the administrative staff, the four universities (Wrocław University of Technology, the University of Almeria, the University of Porto, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus) concluded a Partnership aimed to exchange experiences and good practices in the scope of serving foreign students. The choice of partners was dictated in particular by a wish to evaluate competences of the administrative staff and the solutions applied in various regions of Europe as well as to develop and tighten cooperation with particular universities. The Project University Administrative Staff Closer to foreign students-"REACT” will allow to draw up the Compendium of Good Practices in serving foreign students effectively, which will be implemented by the administrative staff working directly with foreign students.
2. The main aims of the Project:
- exchange experiences and looking for innovative solutions to create a Compendium of Good Practices in serving foreign students.
- improvement of the awareness to respect other nations and cultures (engagement of the administrative staff of the particular universities will contribute to more efficient help for foreign students).
- increasing student mobility and working out of a publication on good practices in the scope of student service that may be used by other universities in the future.
Within 2 years all Partners will meet during workshops and consultations devoted to the specific topic.
Workshops and consultation visits will allow to thoroughly analyse problems arising at each university engaged in the project. The purpose of consultation visits will be evaluation of the functioning of Foreign Student Service Centres and other units cooperating with foreign students (dean's offices, dormitories). At each university a working party comprising 2-4 employees that serve foreign students will be established. As a result of these meetings methods to eliminate negative phenomena and to improve the foreign student service process will be worked out in the form of the Compendium.
4. The first meeting:
The first meeting, which initiated the realization of the Project, was held in Wroclaw on 3-4 November 2011. Not only did the partners were invited but also the representatives of the units of Wrocław University of Technology who are involved directly in the international student service (staff members of the Admission Office, Student’s Affairs Office, the representatives of the dormitories and the Dean’s Offices). During the meeting the guests presented the basic information about the structure of their home university and character of work, scope of duties and tasks carried out. The presentation was followed up by the discussion about the general differences and solutions concerning international student service. Additionally International Office of Wrocław University of Technology organized a visit at the Faculty of Computer Science and Management where the guests could familiarize with the activity of the Faculty and its commitment to the international cooperation. The representatives of partner universities appreciated the activity of Student Information Point as well.
On the next day, during the workshop participants discussed on the internal regulations which normalize the international student status on each university, their duties and obligations, the process of recruitment and completion of studies. Additionally, we shared information and good experiences in the scope of health insurance, legalization of stay accommodation and IT platform which aim is to gather obligatory data of international students. The other issues discussed included the following topics: fees, the activity of student service, interpersonal and language courses for staff members.
Photos from the meeting: 1, 2, 3
Next meeting will be held in University of Almeria where the activity of student organizations will be discussed in details.