Anchoring Joint Masters in the Institution Lessons from the EUA Pilot Project Discussion Group B

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Anchoring JM programmes within an institution requires: Conviction building Removing existing obstacles and addressing specific challenges Adopting institutional responsibility Developing means of institutional support

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Conviction Building Many institutions support the concept of Joint Masters, but in the few cases where they have developed, programmes tend to occur on the periphery of normal institutional activity: Support and integration at the level of finances, infrastructure, administration, and university governance is needed for the sustainability of programmes To gain greater institutional support, programmes must begin with institutional conviction building

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Knowing Added Value -> Anchoring Added value for the institution: Combining (disperse) strengths of individual and institutions builds a greater potential for specialised programmes with high quality teachers and infrastructure Involvement in innovative and collaborative programmes may further an institution’s standing/reputation Particularly enhances international reputation of an institutions (tool for marketing) May explicitly attract new students to an institution

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Knowing Added Value -> Anchoring Added value for the institution (II): Opens the doors of the institution: confronts interaction with other universities – quality development tool Enables smaller universities to offer highly attractive programmes

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Knowing Added Value -> Anchoring Added value for students and staff: Tested and developed network ties establish solid international research contacts Developed research ties emphasise complementarity in programme teaching And foster interaction between teaching and research in specialised areas Students/Staff gain from different academic environments/traditions

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Knowing Added Value -> Anchoring Added value for students and staff (II): Students/Staff benefit from different social environments (language learning, culture) Enables students to develop international research/work experience (appreciated for their CV)

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Knowing Added Value -> Anchoring Added value for Europe: Encourage rapid implementation of all Bologna reforms, adding a sense of urgency: – comparable degree structures – degree recognition – European dimension of QA – Use of ECTS and Diploma Supplement Able to respond to European professional development needs (training in an international environment on transnational issues)

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Knowing Added Value -> Anchoring Added value for Europe: Develops European citizenship and cultural understanding Exciting and innovative programmes may retain Europe’s best students, attract overseas students, and encourage cooperation with non-European institutions (in the name of international understanding)

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Removing Obstacles To anchor means removing unresolved obstalces: Recognition seen as a central challenge: – Legal recognition of “joint degrees” – Professional recognition – Recognition of modules (use of ECTS)

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Removing Obstacles Finances: – student (access issues) – Support for teaching and administrative costs – Reconciling inter-network national funding differences – Need for extra institutional funding for both “3 rd country” (Erasmus Mundus) and for European students (notably CEE) through national or European sources

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Addressing Challenges Language: - While exposure to language learning is a strength, it remains a challenge for involving staff

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Institutional Support Means of institutional support could include: Lobbying at national level to change legislation (in the short term) Dialogue between rectors of institutions involved to facilitate degree awarding (Financial and administrative) support for staff to be involved in curriculum development and teaching Inclusion/visibility of programmes in the course handbook and on the institutional website Assist in encouraging language training for students and staff Implementation and assistance with Diploma Supplement and other transparency tools

5th EUA Conference: Working Together - Joint Degrees24-25 October 2003, Babes-Bolyai University Remaining challenges Difficulty getting institutional support from rectors who are structure-driven when programmes are content-driven In progress towards a common definition of (joint) “Master” level Desire for a positive quality label