Erasmus Mundus Coordinators Conference September 23 2011 Bruxelles 1
11 partner universities in Maghreb Algeria : University A. Mira - Bejaïa University Mentouri - Constantine University Abou Bekr Belkaid - Tlemcen University Ferhat Abbas - Setif Université Mouloud Mammeri - Tizi Ouzou Morocco : University Cadi Ayyad - Marrakech University Mohamed V Agdal - Rabat University Abdelmalek Essaadi - Tétouan Tunisia : Sousse University Gabès University Tunis el Manar University The Averroès 4 consortium 2
9 partner universities in Europe Belgium: University of Liège(Ulg) Spain: Balearic Islands University (Universitat de les Illes Balears ) France : Montpellier 1 University Montpellier 2 University for Science and technology University Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University of Nice Sophia Antipolis University of Perpignan Via Domitia Italy : Università degli Studi di Trento (Trento U.) Ireland : Waterford Institute of Technology The Averroès 4 consortium 3
From Averroès 1 to Averroès 4 : Meeting our objectives, Developping the network Objectives Averroès 1 (July 2008 - April 2012) : 5.2 million euros > 265 scholarships Averroès 2 (July 2009 July 2012) : 5.2 millions euros > 295 scholarships Averroès 3 (July 2010 - July 2014) : 5.2 millions euros > 320 scholarships Averroès 4 (July 2011 - July 2015) : 3.2 millions euros > 225 scholarships Résults -Sept. 2008-Sept.2011 : over 900 undergraduate & graduates students, Post-Doc,academic staff, selected Over 11 000 applicants on line -6000 completed application files, 15% selected A large and growing network : 20 full partners (11 Maghreb Universities, 9 European). From 12 associated partners in 2008 to 73 associated partners in 2011 ( 45 universities, 5 regional authorities, 16 enterprises et 7 academic networks). Averroès: www.averroes.fr 4
Building sustainable cooperation across the Mediterranean sea 2008-2011: 10 Averroès consortium meetings 2009-2010: 6 Averroès seminars in Maghreb Universities on the Bologna process, vocational curricula, university - enterprises relationships 2009: the first centre for treating autism created in Algeria with 5 Averroès graduates 2010-2012: 3 Averroès graduate students get funds and support for creating their own enterprises (PACEIM program) 2010: 90% doctoral Averroès students in joint degree & codirection of thesis. 2010: a common Averroès Doctoral Charter Averroès, a common strategy 5
Building bridges across projects & organisations 2010: Défi-Averroès a structural TEMPUS project (3 Maghreb countries & Lebanon, 5 Ministries) 2009-2011: 6 TEMPUS programs involving Averroès partners 2011: a staff s mobility results in a research project with Mohamed-V Agdal university (Rabat) funded by the French research agency (ANR), & a 52 documentary produced by a French TV 2010: Cooperation agreement between the University Hospitals in Oran and Montpellier 2011-2013: Developing common curricula, joint degrees or double degrees (4 currently underway) 2009-2011: Sharing of expertise between partners (libraries, quality, FP7 projects communication & networks...) Averroès, a common adventure 6
The challenges Take on board the context Build trust & confidence Understand different cultures Make complex procedures simple and applied Establish good communicati on Manage changes Face unexpected challenges Averroès, in a changing world 7
Some keys to success Shared objectives Trusted leadership Quality Assurance plan Staff Experience Time Money Support from hierarchy Averroès, bridging the gap 8
key issues Problems and solutions: From the management side Solutions Application phase 42% Female Gender balance Lesser demand in L, Post-D Late cancellation (Sept 2011: undergrad.=17,m = 19, PhD = 3,Pd = 1) Treating 700O applications Selection 48% : on equal merit, priority to women Information campaign including to families Taking on board the regional context, & social pressures ( force majeure ) Fully automated application & registration process with in-built controls and statistics Regular exchanges with embassies and consulates, list of selected candidates. Visa delivery A proactive approach to problems Averroès, a common problem solving approach 9
Problems and solutions: key issues Solutions Make all host universities equally attractive Unequal mobility flows (1317-117) Offer language courses (prior & during the mobility) Diverging curricula and course requirements Diverging academic agenda & registration deadlines EACEA requirements not aligned with U. agendas Change of selection procedures, more flexibility for home & host, individually tailored programs. Development of Joint degrees. Still a problem to be aware of More flexible deadlines now! For all issues : discussion with the partners, regular exchanges with EACEA Averroès, a common problem solving approach 10
Problems and solutions: from the partners side Pr. Mustapha Djafour, Vice rector University of Tlemcen (Algeria) Averroès, a common problem solving approach 11
Some hints Communication is the key Build Trust and confidence Visit the partners Recruit staff speaking the different languages Talk, explain, discuss, share Have the right contact for each type of problem Allow time for fun Be clear : the devil is in details Apply what you write or say Assess regularly results & functionning (internal & external evaluation) Take advice from the partners, accept contradiction Averroès, a shared ambition 12
Questions? 13 13