Erasmus Mundus Coordinators Conference Brussels, 1 2 October 2013 This presentation reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. by Artur Schmitt Sustainability in Erasmus Mundus Action 2
Who I am... Artur Schmitt Senior Lecturer for Applied Physics (UGR) Director for International Networks and Projects, Vice- Rectorate for International Relations and Development Cooperation Coordinator and official contact person for Erasmus Mundus Action 2 projects at the Universidad de Granada
Outline Erasmus Mundus Action 2 experience at UGR Sustainability in EMA2 Definition Are EMA2 projects sustainable? Actors and activities Examples Sustainability plans in Monesia, Ánimo, Chévere! and Al Idrisi I What s new in Al Idrisi II? Final remarks
Erasmus Mundus Action 2 Experience at Univ. de Granada As coordinating institution Monesia (2009 2013) Brazil, Praguay, Uruguay Ánimo, Chévere! (2009 2013) Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela Al Idrisi I (2011 2015) Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia Al Idrisi II (2013 2017) Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia As partner institution 6 new projects in 2013, 10 new projects in 2012,... Participating from the very beginning (2007)
Sustainability in Erasmus Mundus Action 2 Definition: sustainable Oxford Dictionarie (www.oxforddictionaries.com) able to be maintained at a certain rate or level able to be upheld or defended Cambridge Dictionaries online (dictionary.cambridge.org) able to continue over a period of time causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time here: Sustainability = Ability to endure
Are Erasmus Mundus Action 2 project sustainable? Clear answer: NO But, why? Projects cannot be extended No possibility to include external funding Label only to be used for project funded activities Renewal of the consortia uncertain Project proposal might not be selected Lot structure might change Geographical region might not be included in the next call Rules and requirements change
Was this the wrong question? Clear answer: YES Hence, what s the right question? Are project triggered activities sustainable? Yes, they can and should be Projects should be designed to promote sustainable activities with a reasonable impact Project must be managed accordingly
Who must work for sustainability? Actors Partner and associate Institutions of Higher Education (HEIs) Other associate partners (associations, ministries, NGOs, networks,...) Erasmus Mundus Action 2 grantees European Institutions (DG EAC, DG DEVCO, EACEA, EU Delegations,...) and in general... the societies in the participating countries
What can be done? Activities aiming at sustainability Bilateral Agreements among partners (MoU) Sometimes rather a formality Additional exchange of students and staff Joint teaching activities Co-supervision or cotutelle of PhD candidates Summer/winter schools Joint programmes and modules... Joint research activities Project proposals Publications
What can be done? (cont.) Sharing of data and samples Access to infrastructure and facilities... Cooperation in management and administration Staff training Exchange of knowledge and knowhow Procedures Guidelines... Activities at structural level Policy seminars, recommendations for legislators,... Promotion of Common Spaces of Higher Education...
Examples Sustainability plans in Monesia, Ánimo, Chévere! and Al Idrisi I Promote participation of permanent staff Grant preference to leaders and multipliers (managers, group leaders,...) Favour mobility flows involving joint activities (cosupervision, cotutelle, joint programmes,...) Promote work plans for lasting activities, joint projects, and exchange of knowledge and knowhow
Examples (cont.) Allow for building up of mutual trust and confidence (face-to-face meetings, exchange,...) Limit the scope and focus to specific needs of the partner countries and institutions Strengthen the international dimension of your partners Establish procedures, seminars and workshops useful for all partners (guidelines for organization of mobility, support activities, recognition,...) Disseminate and promote existing joint programmes
Examples (cont.) Set up projects addressing detected needs (Tempus, Erasmus Mundus Action 3,...) Disseminate funding opportunities to grantees and institutions EU funded: Tempus, FP7, ENPI,... From other institutions: National and regional governments, foundations, networks,...) Promote common areas of Higher Education and interconnection among them Find synergies with other projects
What s new in Al Idrisi II? International Cooperation Cells (ICC) Involving at least two partner or associated HEIs from an EU and a partner country Addressing a relevant topics in research, teaching or administration To be proposed by former grantees Will receive preference for some short term mobility flows in the 2 nd and 3 rd cohorts Evaluation by participating universities and external experts Selection by the Advisory and Selection Committee
Final comments Erasmus Mundus Action 2 projects are intrinsically not sustainable, but their... project structure promotes sustainable cooperation at institutional and structural level mobility flows are a tool that trigger and support sustainable activities in research, teaching, training, outreach, management, cooperation,... Erasmus Mundus Action 2 projects have to be properly designed and managed to become a platform for sustainable activities with strong impact on all actors
Thank you for your attention! Further information: University of Granada, Vice-Rectorate for Intl. Relations and Development Cooperation http://www.ugr.es http://internacional.ugr.es http://www.facebook.com/ internacionalugr