The International Arena: Tools for Cooperation

The International Arena: Tools for Cooperation

HistoryHistory

- Founded in 1918- First dissertation defended at TSU in1920 (Akaki Shinadze)- University printing house opened in 1923- Opened a university press in 1933- Began establishing international relations with European universities in 1966

(Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany)- Joined Bologna Process in 2005- Celebrated the 94th anniversary of the university on February 7th, 2012

OverviewOverview

The FacultiesThe Faculties

The Department of Foreign Relations

Who we are and what we do:•Separate administrative unit at TSU•Establish lasting relationships between TSU and the world’s leading universities•Establish partnerships with international organizations, embassies, etc.•Arrange and host foreign delegations•Arrange outgoing/incoming student and faculty member exchanges

Current goals:•Increase the amount of outgoing TSU students who have studied abroad by 10%•Increase the amount of incoming students to TSU•Expand faculty exchange programs to increase faculty mobility opportunities

Overview

TSU identifies internationalization as one of the university’s most important goals.

To this end, the university has done the following for the past several years:-Joined the Bologna Process-Adopted the ECTS credit system-Made significant progress towards becoming part of the European Higher Education Area-Collaborated with several other universities through Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window and Tempus projects-Established a Quality Assurance Services Department-Created an Alumni Relations Office-Placed an emphasis on enhancing student mobility opportunities-Since 2004, signed over 160 cooperation agreements with numerous international institutions

Partnerships and Projects

Since 2004, the Department of Foreign Relations has signed over 150 Memorandums of Understanding with Higher Education Institutions across the world.

TSU has partner universities in: Spain, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, the USA, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and several other countries

This year, TSU applied as a 3rd Country Partner for 7 Erasmus Mundus Action 2 partnerships. Currently, TSU is a part of the ATEI of Thessaloniki Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window Project.

To date, TSU has been involved in 21 TEMPUS projects.

Partnerships and Projects

The recent Ministry of Education and Science Internationalization Grant has brought over 14 professors from Europe and the United States to deliver lectures at several of TSU’s Faculties

2012 – TSU Professor Ramaz Kudadze will be serving as the Visiting Chair of Georgian Languages, Culture, and Society at Leiden University, Netherlands

The Tools: An Overview

International Networks

TSU is currently a member of:• European Association For Quality Assurance in Higher Education• The Black Sea University Network• Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie• The European Association for International Education• The European University Association• Magna Charta Observatory

The advantages of international networks:• Networking: connects individuals and institutions with each other for collaborative endeavors• Project Opportunities: FP7 and others

Each network of which TSU is a member fits with the current and future goals of the university.

Black Sea University Network (BSUN) holds several conferences and seminars on the Bologna process, which Georgia signed in 2005. Additionally, BSUN host several events on sustainable development, which is another important issue to the DFR and TSU as a whole.

ENQA works as a think-tank and communication platform for European HEIs and Bologna Process member HEIs to help improve QA within universities through information dissemination and collaborative endeavors. Through improving QA measures, student mobility opportunities and collaborations between European HEIs and TSU become much easier to effectively create and manage.

EUA is directly beneficial to DFR because of their expertise in developing and implementing joint degree programs. Through the conferences, seminars, and information they distribute, DFR has gained information that has helped it establish some of the joint degree programs at TSU.

Who and Why?

Who and Why? Cont.

Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) serves as TSU’s connection to not only the French speaking world, but also many universities across the globe . Their network is comprised of 784 institutions in 98 different countries. AUF focuses on project based initiatives that work to support the development strategy of TSU, as well as to establish a French speaking scientific community within the university.

The European Association for International Education (EAIE) actively involves itself promoting internationalisation through trainings, conferences and information sharing amongst its partners. EAIE also serves as a portal and liaison to several other organizations, such as the European University Association.

The Magna Charta Observatory of Fundamental University Values and Rights supports TSU’s endeavors to further internationalize itself through defending the values and rights laid out in the Magna Charta, which TSU has signed. The organization holds meetings and provides support through the provision of written documents and other information to universities who have signed the Magna Charta.

Memoranda of Understanding

MoUs function primarily to establish:

- Student and faculty mobility opportunities- Collaborative research endeavors

Since 2006, Tbilisi State University has signed 160 Memoranda of Understanding with universities from all over the world. TSU has approximately 300 partnerships in total.

DFR’s work on these partnerships has led to the establishment of joint degree programs with the University of Cologne, the University of Jena, and DHV – Speyer. Additionally, through collaborations that began with an MoU at Leiden University, DFR and Leiden University have created a Visiting Chair of Georgian Languages, Culture, and Society at Leiden University.

AREAS AND THEMES OF COOPERATIONBoth parties have agreed upon the following areas and themes of cooperation. However, this cooperation will not be limited to the listed topics. Both parties also agree to cooperate in areas outside those mentioned, provided that they are mutually agreed upon.

•Academic staff exchange programs •Researcher exchange programs•Student exchange programs • Joint programs for distance learning courses•Collaborative academic/scientific research projects •Short-term academic/scientific training programs•Organizing cooperative conferences, seminars and panels•Exchange of books and educational research materials

MoUs: A Closer Look

Erasmus Mundus and TEMPUS

Erasmus Mundus Action 2 (formerly Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window ECW) partnerships work to increase mobility opportunities for HEI staff, faculty members and students.

This year, TSU was a part of 7 Erasmus Mundus Action 2 applications. Currently, TSU is a member of the ATEI of Thessaloniki Erasmus Mundus ECW partnership. The primary goal of the ATEI of Thessaloniki Erasmus Mundus project is to promote multiculturalism and to increase student, faculty, and staff mobility within the South Caucasus region. This project has sent 8 TSU students and 1 TSU faculty member to universities in Greece and the UK. In total, the project has sent 50 students from Georgia to European HEIs.

TSU has been involved in several different TEMPUS projects. TEMPUS builduniversity capacity, as well as help to further internationalize the university.

Other TEMPUS projects include:Advancing the three cycle system in social work educationMigration and higher education - Building skills and capacity

Thank You!