Internationalisation at home. Internationalisation of the curriculum. Internationalisation of teaching and learning. ‘A dear child has many names’ and in all, educators are key. Yet, not all academics support internationalisation or are supported by their institutions. This session will compare the results of the SUCTIA project on internationalising academics and research on institutional support for internationalisation provided to academics by 29 Swedish HEIs.

Lucie Weissova, Jönköping University
Uwe Brandenburg, Global Impact Institute

With digitalisation as a horizontal priority, the European Commission has underlined the high importance it assigns to it for the Erasmus+ Programme. In many cases, digitalisation has been reduced to the administration, whose digital transformation is supported under the European Student Card Initiative and Erasmus Without Paper. For higher education institutions, however, digitalisation offers even more potential to make strategic use of existing and new Erasmus+ funding opportunities. Short-term and blended mobility formats - first and foremost the Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) - as well as pioneering Key Action 2 projects targeting didactics offer the opportunity to reach additional target groups and sharpen their own higher education profile. Implementation also poses a challenge with a view to targeted communication to different groups of audiences. The panel discussion is intended to provide an overview of the design of the horizontal priority "digitalisation" in the Higher Education sector in the middle of the current programme generation and to stimulate further exchange on how these experiences can be used for further shaping the priority.

Maximilian Pinnen, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
Ivana Kovačić, Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes
Joanna Jóźwik, Polish National Agency for Erasmus and the European Solidarity Corps (FRSE)
Elmar Harringer, Agency for Education and Internationalisation

A microcredit is an electronic record confirming the completion of a small-scale learning unit expressed in ECTS credits and the achievement of specific learning outcomes. All 26 Czech public universities are involved in the project (Improving Access to Higher Education through Microcredits) led by Charles University. Its aim is to create a framework for the implementation of this concept in the Czech Republic in line with Europe strengthening cooperation in education at international level. The whole preparation of courses for microcredentials is a complex matter that can be based on international cooperation. The aim of the presentation is to explain the nature and importance of microcredits, their link to higher education and international applicability, including the practical aspects of preparing and validating microcredential courses.

Markéta Martínková, Charles University
Daniel Opelík, Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport
Josef Voráček, Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport

Centre for International Cooperation UO has successfully established a communication platform and initiated direct cooperation between the administrative department and academics, which substantially increases the motivation of academics to develop internationalization activities (e.g. regular meetings of the Centre and academics – direct information and methodological support, organization of In Day events to share examples of good practice in an "academic to academic" style, the Centre’s in-house programme for funding conceptual work of academics called To Be In, including an experience-sharing platform, resources for education in the field of internationalization, in-house project consultancy and support).

Ivana Adamiková, Ostrava University
Marie Špiláčková, Ostrava University

The closing session of the CZEDUCON conference will provide a comprehensive reflection on the discussed topics. To highlight the key takeaways and insights which emerged during the event, a graphical summary crafted by Juraj Víg will be presented. Furthermore, the Deputy Director of DZS, Roman Klepetko will provide the closing remarks, officially bringing the conference to an end. The conference will conclude with a popularization talk by Barbora Chattová about multi-disciplinary, international, and collaborative approach to Antarctic research based on a true story of a Czech scientist on a Chilean icebreaker doing research within a Turkish Antarctic expedition.

„Teaching is the highest form of understanding.“ –Aristotle The traditional borders between different levels of education, borders between different types of schools, the distance between „real life“ and formal education, seem to come to its break-even point in this century. As Albert Einstein put it „You cannot solve a problem with a same level of conciousness that created it“, we cannot continue with the approach in educational system that has caused growing of the gap between school knowledge and skills needed in the society. Combining pupils from different vocational education and high schools and university students and people from industry brough us inspiration to unconventional approach to education which can be understood as infinite continuum learning between the participants using amon others known methods from ancient greek philosophy such as Socratic questioning. It is not about one lecture from expert that changes the career outlook of the person more it is about the close continuous mentoring with feedback from both sides from educator to student and from the student to the educator back is what matters in developing to the full potential of the person. Opening international project cooperation to different levels of education brings enormous possibilities but the way is not straightforward. What are the challenges of inter-level and cross-sectoral international learning processes and what strategies are we applying?

Michaela Menšíková, Mendel University in Brno
David Kryštof, Mendel University in Brno

The Global Surveys of the International Association of Universities (IAU) have consistently shown that the lack of skills of academics is a major obstacle for internationalisation. This presentation discusses a specific approach to professional development: through Professional Leaning Communities. Six universities from the EU and one from the US have experimented with this approach. Their focus was how to internationalise teaching and learning for all students. In this session, we share experiences and lessons learned.

Jos Beelen, The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Christopher Johnstone, University of Minnesota
Eva Janebová, Mestenhauser Institute for International Collaboration

GAMING + SPORT = GSPORT. The pandemic has significantly reduced the physical fitness of pupils and students. On the contrary, the hunger for computer gaming has grown significantly. We believe that physical activity is a natural part of us. We want to enhance physical activity of those, who enjoy gaming. We organise international successful events and projects. We are unique in Europe with our concept and we have been receiving many supportive feedback from universities in Czechia and in Europe.

Miroslav Petr, Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport
Zdeněk Ledvina, Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport

Are student representatives participating in the governance structures of Erasmus+? With the prosperity of the Erasmus+ Programme and the implementation of legal frameworks in new initiatives such as the European Universities, the engagement of students in the programme actions has become increasingly more prominent. During this session, we are going to assess the perspective of participants on evolving student representatives in the Erasmus+ governance structure, understanding what are the positive and negative aspects. To finalise, we will evaluate existing pathways for collaboration between the universities and student organisations.

Adéla Smejkalová, Erasmus Student Network

Our conference contribution will be aimed on the dynamic landscape of higher education internationalization cooperation in Asia, with a focus on trends, challenges, and implications. Drawing from the experiences of the speakers our contribution will emphasize the significance of effective communication and awareness of local trends. Additionally, the speakers will address the post-COVID changes and economic impacts while considering the political dimensions of collaborations in the region.

Zuzana Janoušková, Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport
Natálie Wolfová, Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport

Join us as we explore the transformative landscape of student blended mobility in higher education. Our session will start with a deep dive into the European perspective, spotlighting the HIBLend project. Here, we'll discuss the development and analysis of the established student blended mobility typology within HIBLend, focusing on current and emerging practices and emphasising the role of quality within student blended mobility. From there, we will shift our focus to a case study of a practical application at VSB-TUO.  Their journey, from the initial idea of a BIP to its successful implementation, serves as a compelling example. It will showcase the transition from traditional to blended mobility, highlighting both the challenges encountered and the rewards awaiting the bold. Join us in this enlightening exploration of the future of high-quality blended mobility opportunities for students!

Monika Maňáková, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava
Barbora Hoppová, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava
Marcela Maturová, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava
Angeliki Psychogyiou, Academic Cooperation Association

EPICUR Inter-University Campus (EIUC): a Virtual Campus Learning Platform

The EPICUR Inter University Campus (EIUC) is a unique and flexible digital learning ecosystem connecting seven Learning Management Systems. It allows 300.000 students to seamlessly experience digital lectures of other universities using their home credentials. Fully digitalized, paper-free application functionalities and document sharing are fully included. The EIUC will be upgraded to connect our Campus Management Systems in the future, so that exam results can be transmitted instantaneously.

Michael Zacherle, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Digital University and Beyond

Presenting the journey from paper to data as it was experienced by the students and employees of the university. How we overcame the obstacles, what we learned on the way and what awaits us in the future will be the main points of presentation and topics for discussion which shall focus not only at the digitalisation of the university administration, but also the connection of university information systems and their place in the European environment.

Monika Maňáková, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava
Barbora Hoppová, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava

As teacher education is in many countries highly regulated and very oriented towards specific national education contexts, it faces additional challenges regarding internationalization and student mobility. Within the project “Internationalization of Teacher Education at University of Education Weingarten”, some of these challenges are addressed by introducing digital mobility elements that will be presented and discussed during the session.

Tim Kaiser, University of Education Weingarten, Germany

The Digital DECATHLON is an architectural competition for students, aimed at teaching digital design and planning skills. It fosters cross-national collaboration among students and teachers from five European universities in mixed teams, promoting intercultural understanding and cooperation. Funded by the EU's Erasmus+ program, the project runs for 28 months. It addresses challenges in digital administration and virtual teaching, striving for inclusive education and collaboration.

Loreen Zeisberg, Jade University of Applied Sciences

Research on European Universities and Innovations of the Erasmus+ Programme - Polish Perspective

‘European Universities’ are umbrella structures of cross-border alliances intended to create inter-university campuses with a window opportunity for more robust, versatile, and stable institutional partnerships. Currently, there are 50 European Universities alliances in Europe - 23 universities from all over Poland are involved in this initiative. The prime motivation of the panel discussion is to share Polish experiences and perspectives regarding participating in the European University alliances. The discussion will be based on research, active participation, and preparation performed by the universities, which would join this one of the flagship initiatives of the European Commission supported by the Erasmus+ Programme.

Paweł Poszytek, Polish National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (FRSE)
Tadeusz Uhl, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków
Katarzyna Szczepańska-Woszczyna, WSB University Dąbrowa Górnicza

Czech universities' participation in EUA has delivered significant new opportunities as well as challenges. Each of the first four Universities have engaged in their alliances differently, yielding lessons learned that are applicable not just in the sphere of EUA but for all institutions actively working to build partnerships and mobility options for students and academics. The discussion will reflect upon the findings of the Monitoring of internationalisation of Czech Higher Education (MICHE), with panel members discussing the diverse set of approaches towards joint study programme development, credit recognition, establishing research connections, and other modes of cooperation.

Daniel Casten, MICHE expert (moderator)
Julie Hubeňáková, Charles University
Patrik Mottl, Czech Technical University
Marie Jadrníčková, University Palacký Olomouc

The ability to study abroad is a crucial aspect of a reputable higher education institution, as it allows students to gain valuable experience and broaden their horizons. However, some students are still hesitant to travel abroad for study stays or internships. What factors are influencing their decision-making process? Are there any hindrances that we can address to make their deliberations easier? In this regard, I would like to discuss some of the concrete problems that are limiting internationalization and offer potential solutions that could help mitigate them.

Petr Suchý, Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies

Workshops on Curricula Comparison were introduced in the 4EU+ Alliance already in 2021 as a tool for smoothing student mobility recognition. The workshops bring together academics in particular study areas, which results not only in a discussion about mobility possibilities but also in establishing closer collaboration between the departments and the creation of mutual educational projects from online courses to joint degrees.

Tereza Vosejpková, Charles University

Inclusion and wellbeing have always been among the most important values at Charles University. Since 2021, when inclusion was made the highest priority of Erasmus+ programme, CU has undertaken various steps to enable study abroad experience for all students interested. One of these steps is the creation and work of the “Erasmus+ without borders focus group” with students, academic and administrative staff involved. The inclusion and wellbeing perception may also be specific for each study field. Therefore, as part of our presentation, we would like to share the student project of the CU First Medical Faculty called “Student Guides” with the main goal of easing the new international medical students’ transition and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment no matter what their country of origin or social status is. The faculty collaborates with its student organisation regularly to ensure the student body's needs and successful student journey.

Elizaveta Getta, Charles University
Zuzana Hanikova, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine
Darren Noronha, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine

When it comes to providing services to students with special needs, there seem to be two major models at higher education institutions: one influenced by the medical approach and one more compatible with the social approach. The former expects students to know best when it comes to organizing services and adjustments within their studies. The latter sees the student as a partner in a discussion and the institution is responsible for determining the reasonable adjustments, and coordinating the relevant services. Let’s share & compare our views.

Angeliki Psychogyiou, Academic Cooperation Association
Silvia Kotulicova, Slovak Academic Information Agency

At the International Contact Point office, we prioritize the well-being and mental health of our international students especially during these uneasy times. Our team offers free and confidential psychological consultations, understanding the importance of supporting students. We welcome those coming with existing diagnoses, providing a safe space for them to seek sympathy and assistance. Together, we strive to empower students and create a supportive environment for their mental well-being.

Marek Siwy, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava
Michaela Frydrychová, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava