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Description
The proposed project aims at intensifying the cooperation between University of Economics, Prague (VŠE) and partner universities in Iceland and Liechtenstein in the student and staff mobility. The cooperation is based on long-term relationship especially in student mobility within Erasmus+ programme.
This project focuses on supporting the student mobility to certain partner countries by providing exceptional financial grant as well as introducing these mobility opportunities to students from disadvantaged groups such as those coming from underprivileged socioeconomic background. Furthermore, staff mobility is planned as well especially training of staff involved in international relations. Staff mobility is mainly focused on sharing best practices, mapping new trends in internationalization such as digitalisation etc. and other tips for improving support services for student mobility on the whole. Partners from Iceland and Liechtenstein are welcomed to join Prague International Week - intensive one-week training for international relations officers organised by VŠE International Office on yearly basis. This type of staff training will multiply the positive effects on student mobility services and internationalization at all institutions.
Increasing number of student and staff with intensive international experience will affect not only their personal and professional development, but could definitely serve as a key factor of motivation and inspiration for other potential candidates and could improve the whole university environment.
In a long term, internationalization of university environment contributes to allowing VŠE to remain one of the best business schools in Central and Eastern Europe. This will also result in increasing employability of its graduates in highly competitive labour market.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to strengthen cooperation between the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) and its partner universities—Reykjavik University in Iceland and The University of Liechtenstein—through student and staff mobility. Building on an established long-term relationship, particularly within the Erasmus+ programme, the project sought to enhance mobility opportunities by providing exceptional financial grants to support student exchanges with these partner countries, promoting mobility opportunities to students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds who would otherwise face barriers to participation, and deepening collaboration through international relations staff mobility.
The project was partly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted travel plans. However, with adjustments such as a project extension of more than a year, the original objectives were successfully achieved.
Among project activities, there was student and staff mobility. Six VŠE students spent a term abroad at partner universities in Iceland and Liechtenstein. Despite pandemic-related restrictions during the spring term of 2021, which necessitated primarily online learning, the study abroad experience proved highly beneficial for all participants. One student, selected through a special call for students from underprivileged socioeconomic backgrounds (targeting those receiving a social scholarship at VŠE), spent a term in Vaduz. For this student, the financial support was critical, enabling participation in a long-term study abroad opportunity that would have otherwise been unattainable. This experience significantly contributed to her personal and academic growth, making it a life-changing milestone.
Six staff exchanges were conducted in spring 2022 after the lifting of travel restrictions. These exchanges contributed to strengthening relationships between VŠE and its partner universities, laying the groundwork for ongoing and enhanced cooperation.
The project successfully enhanced mobility opportunities for students, particularly those from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, making international education more accessible. Staff exchanges fostered deeper institutional ties, ensuring continued collaboration in the future. The experiences gained through this project have created a stronger foundation for future partnerships, with benefits extending beyond the immediate participants to the broader university communities involved.
Summary of bilateral results
The cooperation with all partner universities was based on long term relations especially in student mobility, nevertheless, the project helped to strengthen and deepen the existing cooperation a lot. Promotion of mobility options within this project definitely increased interest in Iceland and Liechtenstein, its culture and mobility in general among Czech students. For mobility participants, first hand experience with different type of education system, high quality teaching standards, culture, way of life and beautiful nature, was definitely beneficial and improved their knowledge, skills and mutual understanding. Sharing this experience with their fellow students and colleagues was very inspirational for others. The collaboration will definitely continue. There are bilateral agreements with both partner institutions within Erasmus+ programme for student mobility, further staff mobility especially within international relations is planned, further joint research projects especially in the field of Entrepreneurship with University of Liechtenstein are in the process.