Network for Intercultural Competence to facilitate Entrepreneurship Erasmus Project

Project Title

Network for Intercultural Competence to facilitate Entrepreneurship

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

The aim of this project was specifically to enhance students’ employability by developing Intercultural Competencies and Entrepreneurial skills, and applying them to address global and societal challenges by working together in transnational teams employing a tailor-made digital platform. The project needs were identified in response to partners’ consultation with employers. The needs for the project are compelling in that Intercultural Competencies (IC) is a key characteristic needed for a working life in the ever more global labour market and is seen as one of the key competencies for 21st century graduates (EC, COM(2005)548 final; 2005/0221(COD)). In addition, there is an increased need for more horizontal skills such as leadership and entrepreneurship (CIHE, Global Graduates, 2012). Eight universities partnered in the project – University of Edinburgh, University of Amsterdam, University College Dublin, Lund University, University of Salamanca, Università degli Studi di Padova, University of Göttingen and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi.

The project delivered the following key objectives:
• Developed a formalised programme specifically focussed on intercultural competencies, transversal skills, social and civic awareness, critical thinking, digital skills and media literacy.
• Improved skills in entrepreneurship and new business creation (including social entrepreneurship).
• Developed innovative learning approaches for interdisciplinary and multicultural participation in ‘real world’ projects that enhances team working, leadership and innovation skills.
• Developed awareness among students of their role as global citizens.
• Created effective learning pathways, especially for Widening Participation students to benefit from the opportunities offered through virtual mobility, equipping them with confidence and insight into preparing for a physical mobility.
• Designed a formalised transnational Training Programme which awarded 10 ECTS credits with a transferable model for other institutions, Further Education Colleges and Schools etc.
• Created an innovative learning technology platform to facilitate virtual mobility.
• Ensured a sustainable model and delivered enhanced training through dissemination across Europe and throughout the world.

The project activities consisted of informal (non-funded) benchmarking to understand student needs and expectations, designing a Training Programme and Virtual Module Toolkit for Intercultural Competence and Entrepreneurship, including ICT tools and an innovative 10 ECTS credit-bearing ‘NICE’ Student-Led Individually-Created Course, and a Handbook and Framework for policy makers. 262 students participated in the project of which 74 were widening access or special needs students. The impact of the project resulted in an increase of Intercultural Competence, transversal skills and entrepreneurship skills directly within the participants and informed institutional policy on how the enhancement to employability prospects can be further expanded to all students enrolled at the partner institutions. The Handbook is an excellent guide to implementing a virtual exchange programme within an organisation; it has been viewed over 2,400 times via the NICE website (www.nice-eu.org) and downloaded over 300 times.

The desired impact was further enhanced through knowledge sharing activities with other actors such as local Further Education Colleges, Schools and policy makers in addition to other regional and national higher education institutions. This project provides the opportunity to impact at the European level by tackling societal and global challenges resulting in globally oriented employees with embedded global citizenship values. Out of the eight original NICE partners, seven have committed to continuing on with the project throughout 2021 and beyond, with the next iteration already accepting student applications. Six different institutions (both within Europe and beyond) have already expressed interest in joining the NICE consortium as a partner in 2022 and we have received interest from three different alliances (U21, EPICUR and Una Europa). NICE alumni have also been greatly impacted by the programme and are invested in its success, as 36 former NICE students have indicated their desire to support the programme as facilitators going forward.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 329581 Eur

Project Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH & Country: UK

Project Partners

• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA
• UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM
• LUNDS UNIVERSITET
• UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
• UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA
• UNIVERSITATEA ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA DIN IASI
• GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITAT GOTTINGENSTIFTUNG OFFENTLICHEN RECHTS