Nearly 40 representatives of Polish universities associated within European Universities took part in the debate. Together with Prof. Maria Mrówczyńska, Deputy Minister of Science, and the management of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), they analysed mechanisms of international cooperation, as well as the design of joint study programmes and the implementation of the European Approach, which significantly streamlines the accreditation of programmes of an international nature.
Bialystok University of Technology was represented in this strategic group by Assoc. Prof. Dorota Anna Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for International Cooperation. She shared experiences developed within the Across alliance (European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing), of which our university is a part.
– The discussion focused on very practical issues related to the functioning of alliances – including challenges in creating and accrediting joint study programmes, student recruitment, issuing joint diplomas, and funding teaching and research initiatives. I would like to thank the organisers for the invitation and the inspiring meeting – summarises Prof. Dorota Anna Krawczyk.
The meeting under the title “The role of European Universities in the context of the Strategy for the development of higher education in Poland until 2035” was not a theoretical exchange of ideas. The presence of Maria Mrówczyńska, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, as well as the management of FRSE, gave the debate a working character, focused on specific systemic solutions.
One of these was the implementation of the so-called European Approach, i.e. a simplified accreditation procedure for programmes delivered jointly by universities from different countries. It is precisely this mechanism that is to become the foundation for 102 joint study programmes already offered by Polish universities.
The European Universities initiative was presented by the European Commission in November 2017 as part of the overall vision of creating a European Education Area. Its main objective is to support the development of a system of international institutional cooperation, improve the quality of higher education in Europe, and increase its global competitiveness.
Currently, there are 73 European Universities in Europe, bringing together nearly 650 higher education institutions. Poland is exceptionally strongly represented in this structure – as many as 32 of our universities participate in this elite initiative (across 30 alliances).
Bialystok University of Technology, through its participation in the European University Across, has gained 8 full partners from Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Spain, Romania, Slovenia, Italy, and an associated partner from Ukraine. Our network includes small and medium-sized universities located in medium-sized cities in border regions.
Membership of Bialystok University of Technology in the Across Alliance brings real benefits to students and researchers from Podlasie: joint study programmes, summer schools, research cooperation and exchange of experience, and increased competitiveness of jointly undertaken initiatives.
The voice of Bialystok University of Technology in the discussion on the Strategy 2035 demonstrates that we play an important role in the European education area.
Prepared by Monika Rokicka
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