Innovative approaches
FRIENDS project is built around the concept of IaH that reframes the traditional perceptions of HE internationalisation in the 5 PCs. By switching the focus from outbound mobility to systematic institutional efforts for improving non-mobile students’ global skills in domestic environments, IaH creates a paradigm shift and introduces an egalitarian community spirit where internationalisation is not a privilege of the few any more but an asset all students can benefit from.
The second novelty applied in FRIENDS is partners’ holistic approach to IaH that is perceived as a combination of diverse but complementary measures for intervention into HEIs formal and informal curriculum. The comprehensive IaH infrastructure built in FRIENDS through the Intercultural Passport, FRIENDS Teahouses and the subsequent extended stakeholder networks enhances student university experience and builds complex skills much needed in a globalised world.
Last but not least, FRIENDS project puts great importance on extra-curricular learning (through FRIENDS Teahouses & validation of prior experimental learning in Intercultural Passport). The notion that students learn outside the classroom at least as much as in formal settings is considered another novel concept of FRIENDS applied in 5 PCs
Thematic content
The main innovative themes the project deals with include intercultural awareness, cross-cultural dialogue in academia, talent management and global competence, creativity, student engagement, stakeholder management in HE.
Pedagogical methods
FRIENDS implements an array of innovative training and learning methods, namely virtual mobility, blended learning, validation of prior learning, peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, design thinking, simulation. Through students’ digital stories, the project also supports learning through active self-reflection and self-evaluation.
Technology
FRIENDS is designed to maximize on the benefits of ICT. IACD MOOC follows the technological pattern of Coursera and the likes which have proved to be game changers in HE over the last decade. Webinars, storytelling through the means of audiovisuals, and online contest are also envisaged.
No. of project: 598652-EPP-1-2018-1-BG-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP (ERASMUS+ KA2)
Total budget: 999 626 €
Budget for METU: 45 422 €
Project implementation period: 01.10.2018 – 31.10.2021
Project website: http://erasmusplusfriends.eu/