Erasmus Policy Statement

International (EU and non-EU) Strategy

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FREDERICK University considers international cooperation as an important factor for enhancing the quality of its research and teaching activities. Its strategic objective is, through the implementation of the international collaboration policy, to improve its core operations of providing educational programs that address contemporary societal needs and conduct basic and applied research of the highest caliber.

Frederick University, residing in Cyprus, which is an island with a relatively small population, considers international collaborations central to its advancement. To this end, international collaborations are sought in the following directions:

a. Collaborations in research projects (internally or externally funded)
b. Collaborations in the development of new joint programs of study, especially at second and third cycle and in the use of state-of-the-art technologies in teaching and learning.
c. Collaborations for mobility of students, faculty and administrative staff
d. Collaborations for participation in training programs and linking and interacting with business
e. Collaborations for the development and participation of short/intensive programs

The University actively pursues collaborations with all institutions that could contribute on the above directions. Indeed, it holds collaborations with hundreds of universities, research centres, governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as businesses in all continents. The majority of collaborations are made with institutions in the European Union. Also, collaborations in the greater region of eastern Mediterranean are present, as well as China.

The University is committed to a policy of raising its international profile and reputation through promotion of international collaboration in education, research and knowledge transfer, through intercultural exchange and by creating an enriched environment for the university community. Key to meeting these objectives is participation in the Erasmus Programme.

Frederick University already undertakes student and staff mobility programs with over 60 institutions across 21 countries in Europe and participates in a large number of EU funded projects. Mobility is particularly important in promoting knowledge flows and ensuring a diverse and highly skilled workforce that has the capacity to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges. The University is therefore committed to offering more study and placement mobility opportunities to students, primarily to first cycle students. It currently has a target of doubling its student mobility activity in the next years under the “Erasmus for All” program of the European Union.

Partners are usually chosen after proposals from academic departments and are rectified after the final approval of the University’s Erasmus Committee. Priority is given to universities wishing collaboration for both students and teachers. The University maintains a policy of diversifying its collaborations under the Erasmus Programme, as long as a common ground on offered academic programs of study exists. Partner universities come from various European geographical areas; the university has bilateral agreements with almost all countries of Central, Northern, Southern and Western Europe. Emphasis is also given in establishing agreement with universities from candidate as well as EFTA and EEA countries.

Highest priority is given on student and placement mobility of first cycle students, followed by teacher mobility and second and third cycle student mobility. Also, significant emphasis is given on establishing collaborations between departments for the development of IP programmes which often lead to stronger ties between students and institutions.

As mentioned, Frederick University assigns substantial importance to the development of joint/double degrees and the Erasmus Programme plays a central role in this effort. Through continuing participation in the Erasmus Virtual Campus Programme, Frederick University can engage in collaborations with other Universities for designing and delivering joint degrees, a practice with well-established benefits for the participants. Furthermore, such programs often entail the use of state-of-the-art ICT tools for teaching and learning that further improve the offered teaching service of the University.

Finally, collaborations with third countries are also high on the international policy of the University as Cyprus resides on
the easternmost boarder of Europe. Continued participation in programmes such as the Erasmus Mundus can assist
towards the support of this target.

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