Erasmus Policy Statement
Read our Erasmus Policy Statement, created on 13 May 2013.
The Institution agrees to publish this overall strategy (all three parts) on its website within one month after the signature of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education by the European Commission.
International strategy
Describe your institution’s international (EU and non-EU) strategy. Explain:
a) how you choose your partners
b) in which geographical area(s)
c) the most important objectives and target groups of your mobility activities (with regard to staff and students in first, second and third cycles, including study and training, and short cycles). If applicable, also explain how your institution participates in the development of double/multiple/joint degrees.
Answer:
a) Internationalisation is a tool for cultivating content and a key element of sustainable quality development. Therefore, the partner institutions and organisations are chosen as a result of careful consideration, based on the level of education and expertise. We expect to see mutual interests and compatibility in order to achieve fruitful cooperation. We aim to benefit from each other’s strengths and thus contribute to continuing development and increased quality. The cooperation is evaluated and discussed between the institutions, especially in the cases of strategic partnerships.
b) The university already has networks and partner institutions all over Europe, as well as in the USA, Russia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Australia and various African countries. Cooperation is most active with selected Nordic institutions, with which we have formed strategic partnerships in order to run joint study programmes. However, we view cooperation with third countries valuable from the aspect of global responsibility and capacity building.
c) The most important objective is the quality development. This includes concrete aims, such as: increased student-, teacher- and staff mobility, promotion of internationalisation at home, carefully planned participation in EU-funded programmes, an active role in the development of higher education in the arts, curriculum development, systematic evaluation (including creative benchmarking), quality assurance, long-term partnerships, development of joint programmes and joint degrees (e.g. Erasmus Mundus), promoting student placements and life-long learning in order to prepare students for international working environments.
The mobility actions are possible, and also encouraged in all three cycles: Bachelor, Master and Doctoral studies. We want to include all students and staff members in internationalisation. In case a longer mobility period is not possible, participation in a shorter project such as IP or an Erasmus master class is encouraged. Teachers and staff with limited or no earlier international experience are invited to join mobility activities.
Strategy for international cooperation projects
Describe your institution’s strategy for the organisation and implementation of international (EU and non-EU) cooperation projects in teaching and training in relation to projects implemented under the Programme.
Answer:
The involvement of the University of the Arts Helsinki in European cooperation projects is carefully considered and planned. The decisions are based on the strategical aims for international cooperation and the expected outcomes in relation to needed resources. The impacts on participating students and staff will be considered before commitment. However, as UNIARTS aims to be a European pioneer forum for arts, education and research, an active role in European projects is expected. We are looking for possibilities where the university can enhance strong interaction between the arts, education and research, and promote its quality and social impact.
The expected impact
Explain the expected impact of your participation in the Programme on the modernisation of your institution (for each of the 5 priorities of the Modernisation Agenda*) in terms of the policy objectives you intend to achieve.
Answer:
The University of the Arts Helsinki acts as the only arts university in Finland. As a result, we are responsible for producing graduates who meet the needs and expectations of the highest professional tier in each arts field. This includes individuals with expertise in the most specific artistic disciplines. Our participation in the Erasmus programme helps us to ensure that we fulfil this strategic aim, as the arts are an integral value in society.
The process we follow in programme activity is one of transparency, which also stipulates that every individual has the opportunity to participate in a capacity which is most appropriate for them (i.e. shorter and longer exchanges, etc.) and which complements their development into qualified professionals. For students this means the programme may be incorporated into their individual study plan, whilst with teachers this comes in the form of the individual work plan.