Description
The aim of the project is to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and best practices between Slovakia and Iceland in small states studies, focusing on the fields of international economics, international politics and international law. As small states, both Slovakia and Iceland are dependent on the development of the world economy and face numerous political, economic, cultural and security challenges inherent to the countries’ small size. Acknowledging this fact has led to the creation of specialized programmes and courses focusing on small state issues in both Slovakia and Iceland. To better be able to deal with these challenges, it is important to search for synergies by increasing cooperation of teachers and researchers between the countries. The project directly involves mobility of academic staff, but important indirect impact will be on students and PhD students as well, since students will benefit from an international teaching environment. Academic staff from the donor partner institutions, University of Akureyri and University of Iceland, will provide teaching lessons for students in Slovakia and vice versa. The multilateral partnership will lead to a better exchange of scientific information and to a higher level of education in the participating institutions.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project realized by Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics in Bratislava, University of Iceland and University of Akureyri was to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and best practices between Slovakia and Iceland in small states studies, focusing on the fields of international economics, international politics and international law. The objective was to contribute to better exchange of scientific information and to a higher level of education in the participating institutions, through mobility of highly qualified experts with the aim of teaching assignments at the partner university. 9 teachers from University of Economics in Bratislava, 6 teachers from University of Akureyri and 5 from University of Iceland in Reykjavík took part in the project. Involvement of the teachers of the University of Economics in Bratislava to educational process in Iceland was an important moment. The involvement of the teachers of the University of Economics in Bratislava to the educational process in Iceland (and vice versa) was very important moment. The teachers had opportunity to discuss chosen issues of international political relations, international economic relations or the European integration with Icelandic students (and vice versa) and to confront different way of teaching process. That kind of experience is one of the pre-condition how to improve teaching process at sending institution. Another contribution of the project was the possibility to offer to Slovak students a point of view of Icelandic colleagues on various issues of international economic relations, international political relations, economics, politics, and environmentalism. The lectures created opportunity to develop critical thinking of the students. Teachers from Slovakia gave very interesting lectures to Icelandic students of various topics, usually topics connected to Slovak matters and the relation between Slovakia and Iceland. Given lectures were interesting for students and fitted into classes. The University of Akureyri arranged also open lectures for the public of Akureyri interested in Slovak matters. This kind of project is very good way how to exchange experiences in the pedagogical and scientific area and to deepen cooperation in the common areas of interest in the future. There is no doubt that result of the project is deepening of the cooperation and partnership between all three universities.
Summary of bilateral results
Both donor project partners, University of Akureyri and University of Iceland in Reykjavík, Iceland were equal partners involved in project activities. It is necessary to emphasize readiness of the partners to cooperate also in the future. Some proposals of the scientific projects, common textbooks and exchange of the experiences in the education will be the examples. All project partners were willing to participate at the events organizing during their stay at the host institution. There is no doubt that result of the project is deepening of the cooperation and partnership between all three of the universities. The involvement of the teachers of the University of Economics in Bratislava to the educational process in Iceland (and vice versa) was very important moment. The teachers had opportunity to discuss chosen issues of international political relations, international economic relations or the European integration with Icelandic students (and vice versa) and to confront different way of teaching process. That kind of experience is one of the pre-condition how to improve teaching process at sending institution. The University of Akureyri arranged also open lectures in the University for the public of Akureyri that were interested in Slovak matters.