Description
The primary aim of the project is to increase international mobilities of students, PhD students and academic staff. In the course of the project student mobilities, PhD students mobilities and academic mobilities are planned. The primary focus of the project is the academic staff mobility, since the exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of education and research will enable our researchers to gain invaluable insight into Norwegian style of management. The project also expect to build collaboration on research in the field of management with an emphasis on tourism and marketing. The project envisage that mutual research findings might contribute to innovative approaches to economic and social disparities in EEA and/or in the Project Promoters region. Intercultural experience gained by the students, PhD students and academic staff will enable them to gain insight into thinking and cultures of both participating countries, which will contribute to improvement of a mutual dialogue between our countries.
Summary of project results
University of Prešov used an opportunity to strengthen and expand cooperation with three partner institutions from countries, which until then did not belong to the most active partners in cooperation. Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences cooperated with Icelandic University of Akureyri, Faculty of Management with University College of Southeast Norway (former Buskerud and Vestfold University College) and Faculty of Education with Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education in Trondheim. The main objective of the project was to analyse the study programs and research at partner universities. Students and teachers have the opportunity to participate in preparation of bilateral and multilateral projects for student, as well as academic research. The mobility project also provided space for exploring the educational process, methods and approaches applied in the teaching. The discussion about its effectiveness and efficiency contributed to improvement of the quality of higher education. During the project activities, eight teachers, two PhD students and one student from the University of Presov participated in exchange mobility. On the other hand, 10 teachers from partner institutions participated in exchange mobilities at University of Presov. During the project, a number of new bilateral partnerships were created. New contacts were established and strengthened, which resulted in very favourable conditions for further cooperation. Given that, participants of the project could visit also other departments, which were not participating in the project. Further contacts were made from various departments, which might lead to the cooperation with other departments in the future. New contacts were also established with other institutions in the region. Established bilateral contacts resulted in further cooperation, participants developed project cooperation in several areas. New Erasmus+ agreements have been signed.
Summary of bilateral results
All donor project partners, University of Akureyri from Iceland, University College of Southeast Norway (former Buskerud and Vestfold University College) and Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education, Norway were equal partners involved in all activities. A number of new contacts were established and that will be followed up in the near future. The observations of facilities work being done not only at University of Prešov but also at other educational institutions in Slovakia. PhD student from Slovakia student is communicating with one of the Norwegian faculty members about shared research interest. Result of teaching exchanges was participation of Norwegian academic in conference organised in Slovakia, where results of his research were published in the Conference Proceedings. Collaborative research initiative on public sector reforms, in particular the effort of simplification of public sector language, with aim to improve communication between the government and their citizens was initiated between University of Prešov and The Business School of University College of Southeast Norway (former Buskerud and Vestfold University College).