Furthering International Relations Capacities and Intercultural Engagement to Nurture Campus Diversity and to Support Internationalisation at Home Erasmus Project

Project Title

Furthering International Relations Capacities and Intercultural Engagement to Nurture Campus Diversity and to Support Internationalisation at Home

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 : Capacity Building in higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics:

Project Summary

The FRIENDS project supports PC HEIs’ internationalisation capabilities and campus diversity. The project’s chief goal is to develop PC HEIs students’ global competence through the integration of intercultural dimensions into universities’ formal and informal curriculum. The project is built around the concept of internationalisation at home (IaH) that shifts HEIs’ focus of attention from outbound to virtual mobility and on-campus intercultural engagement for the benefits of non-mobile students’ employability and global outlook.The consortium combines the expertise of 4 Eastern European PrC HEIs in BG, HU, PL and TR, as well 12 PC HEIs from Asia, namely 2 in BT, 2 in KH, 2 in MY, 3 in PH and 3 in TH. The following key results will be achieved through FRIENDS:1. Institutional IaH Action Plans adopted to streamline PC HEIs’ initiatives for IaH and to improve PC HEIs IROs staff and faculty’s capacities for internationalisation.2. Intercultural Passport virtual module designed and embedded into PC HEIs’ elective curriculum to build students intercultural knowledge and sensitivity to cultural diversity. The Intercultural Passport is an innovative tool that combines virtual mobility and methodologies for validation of prior experiential learning evidenced through the means of digital storytelling. At least 180 PC HEIs students will be awarded an Intercultural Passport at FRIENDS initial phase.3. FRIENDS Teahouse social spaces established at 12 PC HEIs to function as student-friendly multicultural hubs that welcome diversity, and support the welfare of students with diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition, FRIENDS Teahouses will contribute to the improvement of overall university experience of PC HEIs’ students across campus.4. Home away from Home Programme induced as a model for integrated international student care and services. In the long run, the programme will contribute to the gradual increase of international and inbound students at the PC HEIs.

Project Website

http://erasmusplusfriends.eu

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 999626 Eur

Project Coordinator

VISSHE UCHILISHTE PO MENIDZHMANT & Country: BG

Project Partners

• PRINCE OF SONGKLA UNIVERSITY
• SVAY RIENG UNIVERSITY
• ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITESI VAKFI
• SAINT LOUIS COLLEGE, INCORPORATED
• ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY SDN BHD
• MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY
• UNIVERSITY OF CEBU, INC