Description
The overall objective of the project is to foster development of bilateral cooperation in higher education based on international mobility of students and academic staff between BA School of Business and Finance, Latvia (BA) and Telemark University College, Norway (TUC). The strategic focus of the project is closely linked to the Internationalisation Policy of BA and its Development Strategy 2013-2017. The Internationalisation Policy underlines the integration of students into international environment as an important prerequisite for the development and improvement of professional skills and competitiveness. The policy indicates that students should have access to studies in partner universities abroad within the framework of international projects and also states the need for cooperation with other international universities to ensure the international mobility of students and academic staff, cooperation within research. The project will focus on internationalisation through student and academic staff mobility in the field of business administration. Both BA and TUC have strong experience in implementation of international study programmes in business administration complying with the Bologna process. Both universities will benefit as the exchange will promote new course designs, new modes of teaching and collaboration in other research projects. The project will have an impact in transforming learning environment with an international dimension in Latvia and Norway. The benchmarking will be carried out on the basis of standards and guidelines in order to ensure Quality Assurance. Student exchanges will result in increased competitiveness in a common European labour market and intercultural experience.
Summary of project results
The overall objective of the Project was to foster development of bilateral cooperation in higher education based on international mobility of students and academic staff between BA School of Business and Finance, Latvia (BA) and Telemark University College (TUC), Norway (from January 2016 University College of Southeast Norway). Strategic focus of the Project was closely linked to Internationalization Policy of BA and Development Strategy 2013-2017. Project focused on internationalization through student and academic staff mobility in the study field of business administration. Modernization of teaching through international mobility is essential for students and academic staff as teaching methods should comply with the needs of European labor market and students become skilled and competitive in international environment. Project contributed to new modes of teaching, professional development of academic staff and increased teaching quality and standards, facilitating collaborative pedagogy, learning outcomes based curriculum development and long-term cooperation between BA and TUC. Overall 10 student and 22 academic staff mobilities were successfully established. During academic staff visits new information on business education in Norway and Latvia were discussed, investigation on financing and financial management of SME companies and innovations in Norway get started. Future activities on study's methodology, discussion of new methods of teaching on financial subject in the different levels, professional knowledge exchange and preparation for other cooperation activities were discussed.
Summary of bilateral results
Both universities benefit as experience exchange has promoted new modes of teaching and collaboration in research area. Experience gained during the staff mobility has been used in updating the study course programs and teaching materials. Different teaching methods and approaches were discussed and best practices shared. Student exchange resulted in increasing competitiveness in a common European labor market and intercultural experience. The project was strategically important because it enhanced international dimension in both countries, it offered the opportunity both for students, academic staff to share the best practice.