Campus Europae Newsletter, April 2008
Table of contents
- Inaugural Assembly of the European University Foundation - Campus Europae
- Fast Facts
- Business and Administration Subject Committee meeting outcomes
- Medicine Subject Committee convened in Alcala
- International Day at the University of Łódź
- Subject Committee Law meets in Luxemburg
- Subject Committee Humanities meets in Alcala
- Student Council meets in Trento
- Teacher Training Subject Committee meeting outcomes
- New Campus Europae RSS feed
- Upcoming events
- Natural Sciences Subject Committee Meeting
- Campus Europae Day at EHU
- Engineering Subject Committee Meeting
- Campus Europae Promotional Day
- PR task force meeting
Inaugural Assembly of the European University Foundation - Campus Europae
The European University Foundation – Campus Europae held on the 14th and 15th of April 2008 its inaugural assembly attended by the Rectors and Rector’s representatives of the seventeen member universities of the network. The purpose of the Inaugural Assembly was to complete the transition towards the new legal status that provides for EUF-CE to operate as a foundation. EUF-CE had established itself in Luxembourg as a non profit association of universities while the transition was negotiated with the government. The completion of the process not only improves on the EUF-CE's prior legal status but it also establishes an excellent framework for the cooperation that the participating universities envisage for the years ahead. For these reasons this Assembly is a pivotal moment in the development and evolution of the programme, launched initially in 1998 by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and subsequently taken over by his successor Gerhard Schroeder. Since 2004, the European University Foundation – Campus Europe is under the official patronage of Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker and the Luxembourg government.
The Board of Directors of the European University Foundation has also elected its President and Vice-President. Professor Estela Pereira from the University of Aveiro was reconducted as chairwomen and will be joined by Prof. Vaidotas Viliunas from the Vytaytas Magnus University, Lithuania as Vice-President. Prof. Giovanni Pegoretti (University of Trento) and Prof. Noel Whelan, President Emeritus of EUF-CE were unanimously elected for the Budget Committee of the Board of Directors.
Picture 2: a partial view of the Inaugural Assembly
Among the topics covered the assembly welcomed speeches about the “The contribution of University to regional development” by Rector Perttu Vartiainen, “Quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area” by Rector Helena Nazaré and “Perspectives of the Bologna-Process after 2010” by Prof. Germain Dondelinger, member of the BFUG.. In the evening of the 14th the Presidency of EUF-CE and the Directors were welcomed at a reception hosted by Prof. Rolf Tarrach at the University of the University of Luxembourg, which was also attended by representatives of the Embassies of France, Poland and Turkey.
Fast Facts
Business and Administration Subject Committee meeting outcomes
The Business and Administration committee met in in the University of Trento on the 14th of March. The subject committee’s work is progressing at a brisk pace and integrated matrices should be available for publication by mid May.
Picture 3: the Deans of the Faculties of Economics of the Universities of Kaunas, Trento and Riga
The committee examined in depth possibilities for further exchange and discussed future prospects for exchange for the next academic year. From preliminary examination the outlook remains positiove that overall numbers can be increased and distribution improved also.
Medicine Subject Committee convened in Alcala
On the 13th of April the Campus Europae subject committee met in Luxembourg. The committee agreed to proceed in widening its remit in including other health sciences such as Pharmacy and Dentistry It is expected that exchange in dentisty will take place this coming academic year. The committee has also agreed that full comprehensive matrices will be available by May to assist students in choosing their destination for the upcoming year.
International Day at the University of Łódź
On 9th April 2008, at the Faculty of Management, University of Łódź, Campus Europae and Erasmus Promotional Day took place. The event, whose main aim was to spread information about the programmes among University’s students, was organized by the International Relations and Students Offices together with the Erasmus Student Network.
Polish students had an opportunity to ask questions about the application procedures, terms and conditions for applying and grants. They had also a unique opportunity to talk to Campus Europae and Erasmus students who are at the University of Łódź for their exchange. One of the main attractionsof the day was the awarding of Campus Europae Certificates to the students of the University of Lodz which embarked in a one year exchange with CE in 2006/2007, a ceremony presided by Professor Eleonora Bielawska–Batorowicz. Also during Promotional Day the winners of two photo contests organized by Erasmus Student Network were announced, with current CE mover Inga Lavrentjeva winning top honours in the contest „Discover Europe”.
Picture 5: Marta Stepniewska, student representative at University of Łódź by the Campus Europae information stand
The event was met with strong participation amongst the students of the University of Łódź who reacted positively to the possibilities available.
Subject Committee Law meets in Luxemburg
The Subject Committee Law met in Luxemburg on the 11th of April to advance in the development of a system of recognition for Campus Europae exchange. The Chair of the Committee, Prof Braum from the University of Luxemburg was glad to welcome representatives from five universities, among them the new members from Gazi University and the University of Joensuu.
The members intensively discussed the CE language concept against the background of law exchange and consensually called for a stringent and speedy implementation at all Member Universities. Building on the work of the last meetings the Committee decided on a framework of study fields, which will form the pools from which future CE law students will choose their courses from, which then will be recognized on a mutual basis. During the next months the national curricula will be integrated in this scheme and the Committee expects to finalize the process at its next meeting in autumn when it will convene in Joensuu, following an invitation by the University of Joensuu.
Subject Committee Humanities meets in Alcala
On the 11th and 12th of April the Humanities subject committee met in the University of Alcala, to formulate plans for the next academic year. Due to the diverse nature of the humanities by virtue of its nature and range of differing academic disciplines. However the committee worked intensively to overcome these obstacles and a significant upswing in student numbers is expected. The committee also revisited the discussion about the Campus Europae Master in European Multilingualisim and Identity and plans are afoot to develop the concept further.
Student Council meets in Trento
On the 5th April the University of Trento hosted the CE Student Council meeting, welcoming student representatives from all CE universities. The Rector of the universty, Prof Bassi, warmly received all members and delivered a speech where he explained that all faculties that were not active in CE were to be encouraged to join the project in order to increase student mobility in 2008/09 withinin the CE framework.
Picture 6: Ekatarina Wittke, Student Council Vice President, Prof. Antonio Scaglia, Vice-Rector of the University of Trento, Prof. Christoph Ehmann, Secretary General of EUF-CE and Bernd Justin Jütte, President of the Student Council
The main issue on the agenda was the Student Councils’ contribution to the work of Subject Committees. After a thorough and intensive discussion, the Council passed a document outlining the duties and responsibilities of Student Representatives in Subject Committees, as well as their rights. The Council expects to enhance student’s contribution in shaping CE exchange by more productive participation in Subject Committees. Furthermore, the Student Council prepared the upcoming academic year, trying to improve the already well established CE infrastructure from the students perspective.
For the first time the Council was able to assemble representaives from all member universities, gladly intruducting the newest members – the University of Ankara and Gazi University. The Student Council is now prepared to face challenges ahead and believes it to be able to further contribute to the constructive improvement of the CE network.
Teacher Training Subject Committee meeting outcomes
On the 17th and 18th of March the Campus Europae Teacher Training subject committee met in the University of Vienna A full agenda which covered the breadth and depth of issues facing the exchnge of the future educators of Europe reflected the enthusianm that the committee has in increasing numbers for the upcoming academic year. So far feedback has been positive from all students who have participated in the programme and there has been a domino effect of interested students queing up who have heard about it from former CE movers. The committee was also delighted to welcome new members from St. Petersburg State University, the University of Ankara and Gazi University.
New Campus Europae RSS feed
The Campus Europae RSS feed has been updated and it can now be found at the following link. Users are kindly requested to update their readers accordingly.
Upcoming events
Natural Sciences Subject Committee Meeting
Joensuu University, 17th and 18th April
Campus Europae Day at EHU
European Humanities University, Vilnius, 18th April
Engineering Subject Committee Meeting
Joensuu University, 18th and 19th April
Campus Europae Promotional Day
Gazi University, Ankara, 1st May
PR task force meeting
University of Aveiro, 9th May
The next Campus Europae newsletter is due for the 15th May. To unsubscribe please visit this link.