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Description
One important pillar of the SNSPA’s mission is to provide trained specialists in governance. Moreover, a strategic priority for SNSPA is the internationalization of its study programs, research and teaching activities. In this sense, partnership with renowned organizations for multi-cultural inter-university dialogue, such as our first partner University of South-Eastern Norway, and our partners from Iceland (University of Iceland and Reykjavík University).
It has always been our challenge to identify the best solutions to the complex social problems facing the modern society, so SNSPA has fought, since the beginning, for a model of inter-institutional cooperation based on strengthening the global academic dialogue, research and social responsibility. So to answer this challenge and to increase the efficiency, excellence and competitiveness of its programs, internationalization is the red thread of SNSPA’s modernization process. Within the priorities of the Internationalization Strategy, the EEA Grants Program alongside Erasmus+ Program have represented and continue to represent a source of new opportunities, a true starting block for further cooperation.
The current academic environment is developing around a universal internationalisation movement backed up by a strong wish coming from our students to study abroad at different universities. Thus we have to embrace their needs and do everything within our power to support them in their development. Moreover, our student experience even at home will benefit from this partnership as it offers a possibility for the SNSPA academics as well to interact with fellow academics from different universities and share best practices, collaborate on different projects, namely research papers, shared curriculum or summer schools, and enhance the student experience.
This exchange contributes to the academic process on both sides and creates international learning experience for everyone involved in this fruitful approach.
Summary of project results
SNSPA has always taken on the role of contributing to the formation of a future generation of leaders and professionals, prepared to tackle the complex challenges of the modern world. Thus, the approach that SNSPA has taken in this endeavor is based on a model of inter-institutional cooperation founded on strengthening global academic dialogue, research, and social responsibility. Therefore, SNSPA''s objective was to create partnerships with renowned organizations to establish a multicultural inter-university dialogue, an incubator of opportunities, such as the University of South-Eastern Norway, and our partners in Iceland (the University of Iceland and Reykjavík University). Moreover, we have committed to cooperating and supporting the beneficiaries and planned activities within the project, adhering to the principles and conditions of the EEA Grants guidelines.
Within this project, the main objectives regarding mobility were: increasing the number of mobilities for students and professors between Romania, Norway, and Iceland; creating an incubator for research opportunities and facilitating a space for the exchange of best practices; supporting students in achieving better learning outcomes to improve their personal development and employability in the European labor market; improving participants'' language skills; strengthening institutional cooperation in higher education between Romania, Norway, and Iceland by establishing long-term, effective collaboration and ensuring better recognition of the skills and competencies acquired during study periods abroad
The mobility project concluded with 28 outgoing and 4 incoming mobilities for staff (professors and administrative personnel), including 10 traineeships mobilities for students at the University of South-Eastern Norway.
Thus, it should be emphasized that the mobilities have contributed to offering development opportunities for participants both professionally and personally, and to enhancing an international learning environment in the classrooms, based on a deeper understanding and tolerance of cultural differences. These mobilities constantly give the opportunity to increase the visibility and recognition of SNSPA at the European and international levels, thus reflecting the high academic and research expertise of our university, highlighted by our university''s participation in the European academic consortium CIVICA.
SNSPA''s participation in the EEA program is considered to have a significant direct impact on students, professors, and administrative staff by enhancing their human resource capacity, the utilization of scientific knowledge and results, the effectiveness of teaching methods etc., thereby contributing to increased opportunities and academic experience quality. In this regard, students who recently benefited from a traineeship mobility at USN emphasized that their academic outcomes were good. During the mobility, they received academic support from professors and administrative staff from SNSPA, with USN coordinator Lasse Berntzen providing feedback that will aid them in future academic endeavors.
Moreover, regarding faculty mobility, both SNSPA and its partners were pleasantly surprised by the high number of academics, 22 professors and administrative staff incoming and outgoing, who applied for grants, showing interest in both mobilities and future collateral plans such as scientific events, workshops etc.
In SNSPA''s methodology on the annual evaluation of teaching/administrative staff, the promotion and recognition of teacher mobility is an important criterion. Upon their return, SNSPA offers EEA mobility beneficiaries the opportunity to disseminate and capitalize on their experiences for the benefit of the university and all SNSPA staff.
These mobilities inevitably created a positive institutional impact for SNSPA and its partner universities, opening doors to new collaboration, research, and learning opportunities. SNSPA''s participation in the EEA Program has served as a catalyst in the short and long term for the university''s consistent efforts and commitments to enhance its internationalization, achieving a better position among the world''s prestigious universities and gaining extended international recognition.
Summary of bilateral results
Studying abroad is an opportunity that both SNSPA students and professors and administrative personnel constantly seek to take advantage of, with SNSPA continuously demonstrating its commitment to academic internationalization. The results of these mobilities and the feedback from participants have clearly shown that exposure to different educational systems and teaching and learning approaches allows them to return to their home university with new proposals, initiatives, and innovative ideas. This enhances academic collaboration in research, joint project writing, programs, and even summer schools.In this regard, it should be emphasized that the creation of an international framework at SNSPA, facilitated by the EEA grants, has been the ideal tool to achieve the objectives of the 32 participants—students, professors, and administrative personnel—both outgoing and incoming. We must commend the efforts of our partners, University of South-Eastern Norway and Reykjavik University, who have provided necessary guidance and hosted the mobility of SNSPA students during the period from 01.02.2023 to 30.04.2024.SNSPA, with its solid tradition in the field of administrative sciences, has managed to provide significant expertise in innovative and efficient approaches to public administration at the European level, expertise that has been leveraged by our international partners. Moreover, our partnership has fostered collaboration in various events for participants from our universities, creating opportunities for cooperation, and a conducive environment for research and the exchange of best practices. These events include the Smart Cities Conference, an annual event organized by SNSPA - Faculty of Public Administration, workshops, and other events such as the Winter School on Internet Governance, Digital Policies, and Innovation.