Description
The internationalization strategy of “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu draws together in one place objectives, priorities and commitments which are drawn from the university development directions. Therefore, Lucian Blaga aims to increase the number of partnerships, both with other universities and with private specialized institutions. The project objectives are to increase the mobility of students (in all three cycles) and teachers as well as strengthen the academic cooperation between Romania and donor states. Enlargement of mobility programs will foster internationalization, adding quality improvement to curricula and help create more innovative and flexible learning environments. The “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu will encourage the implementation of best practices in order to improve the quality of education, contribute to the harmonization of higher education and research area and identify the needs for common curriculum development. Direct beneficiaries will be students, in all cycles of studies, who will have the chance to experience a new study/practice environment, which will ensure a smoother inclusion on the labor market. Additionally, staff will experience new methods of teaching and job shadowing. Special attention will be given to the Roma citizens in order to reduce social and financial disparities. The roles of the partners will be to provide relevant support to staff and students participating in the mobilities and to ensure that that the cooperation will lead to sustainable and balanced outcomes for all the involved partners. The partnership will ensure a fruitful cooperation of mutual benefit and will strengthen the bilateral relations between Romania and donor states.
Summary of project results
Thanks to the project, during the academic year 2014 - 2015 at the "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu the number of mobilities established through the EEA Financial Mechanism was increased compared with the number of mobilities in the previous year. To ensure sustainability of the project results the "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu has submitted a new project application for mobilities for the next academic year and are thus positive that mobilities will be further increased. There were eight outgoing mobilities; four student mobilities in areas such as Sociology and Computer Sciences that were hosted by partner universities in Norway and Liechtenstein and four teaching staff mobilities in Sociology and Computer Science hosted by the Norwegian and Icelandic partenr institutions. Through the mobilities for teaching and training of academic staff international cooperation between the beneficiary university and donor institutions was enhanced, creating further opportunities for future cooperation, for instance under the Erasmus Plus Programme. Following project completion, the beneficiary university undertook a great variety of activities designed to improve curricula and introduced new topics and courses through transnational collaboration between universities. Also, by undertaking a foreign mobility, students and academic staff have improved their social skills and competences by experiencing a new teaching and learning environment. The "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu encourages student and academic staff mobilities by creating a supportive environment for the development of human resources. Based on the previously gained experience and by sharing know-how techniques staff participation is recognized, at institutional level, in the yearly research activities report and by getting involved in new international projects. Students’ participation will be visible in their future careers and initiatives.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with the donor project partners ensured a fruitful cooperation of mutual benefit and has strengthened the bilateral relations between Romania and the donor states Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Students, in all cycles of studies, had the chance to experience a new study- and practice environment thus ensuring higher chances of a smoother inclusion on the labor market. The academic staffs, both teachers and administrative staffs, experienced new methods of teaching and job shadowing, having the opportunity afterwards to use the acquired knowledge in their future career and activities. Also, by the gained experience teachers and academic staff have ensured internationalization at home for non-mobile students.