A New Chapter in the History of Erasmus+
This is a new Erasmus+ program that will begin in early 2021 and run for the next six years. Responsible, open, and ambitious—these are the three keywords of the upcoming roadmap. As an added bonus, the program received the “Best Practices” label from the European Commission last October, recognizing the quality of the work carried out by the teams at theUM during the 2014–2020 period.
This small plaque honors the outstanding work of the international relations teams at theUM, both at the central level and within its constituent units. This recognition was awarded following an audit conducted by the National Erasmus Agency, which “thereby validates the quality of the implementation of the Erasmus+ program during the 2014–2020 period and its compliance with the charter signed by Philippe Augé, president of theUM,” explains Nadia Lagarde, deputy director of the Office of International Relations (DRI).
Tracking outgoing and incoming student mobility, providing language support, and ensuring recognition of our programs in partner countries— “this is one way of certifying our best practices,” adds Nadia Lagarde, especially since students are not the only beneficiaries; the European program is also open to our university’s staff (faculty and administrative personnel).
Exchange Ideas to Grow Stronger
This news comes at just the right time, as the internal information and promotional campaign for the new Erasmus+ program—which covers the 2021–2027 period—will begin in the coming weeks. And according to Camylle Pernelle, department head, “the Erasmus+ program remains little known outside of its mobility component. “There are numerous opportunities for cooperation, with a strong focus on the exchange of best practices, innovation, and capacity building at institutions of higher education.”
Internationalization of doctoral studies in collaboration with South African universities; sharing expertise on the green transition and sustainable development with our European partners as part of the UNI-ECO project; work on structuring the system for recognizing prior learning with Algerian universities; creation of a master’s program in water management in West Africa… These are just a few examples that demonstrate the diversity and openness of the initiatives carried out under the Erasmus+ program.
Responsibility, Openness, and Ambition
The DRI plans to expand these initiatives through this new program, which is structured around three pillars: responsibility, openness, and ambition. “We’ll demonstrate responsibility by paying even closer attention to issues of ecological transition—for example, by placing greater emphasis on sustainable modes of transportation,” explains Camylle Pernelle. The program will also be more open thanks to more inclusive measures. “We want to expand our mobility services to include people with disabilities,” adds Frédéric Achard, head of the mobility department, “and better address the needs of socially disadvantaged groups.” To this end, hybrid mobility solutions and greater digitalization will be offered.
It’s ambitious, after all, because “with this new program, Europe is promising a tripling of budgets and an expansion of mobility opportunities,” Frédéric Achard continues. “That means even more scholarships and mobility opportunities for students, who should know that we’re here to help them pursue their international mobility with as much support as possible by leveraging Erasmus+ scholarships, AMI scholarships , and regional scholarships.”
"You have an idea; we'll turn it into a project."
But this information campaign is not intended solely for students planning to study abroad.
Erasmus+ is also aimed at the " Professors " (small local authorities) that would like to develop projects under the program, as Camylle Pernelle points out: “ If you have an idea, we’ll turn it into a project—that’s the message we want to convey to them.” ” Another goal of the new program is to involve local and regional authorities—regions, departments, metropolitan areas—more closely. At the national level, theUM was once again among the top three most dynamic universities this year in implementing its Erasmus+ program—a position it is unlikely to relinquish anytime soon.
Student Mobility at theUM : By the Numbers
Each year, on average, 550 students participate in international exchange programs as part of their studies, including approximately 350 in Europe. As for internships abroad, an average of 930 students are able to take advantage of this experience, including 450 in Europe. The most popular destinations are Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Ireland, and Germany. Finally, approximately 420 international students on exchange programs are welcomed each year at theUM. Students from Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Italy make up the largest groups.