Objective
To review the current state of the art of Asian International Relations Offices (personnel, budget, organisational charts), as well as tools and actions pursued in the universities in the three Asian partner countries (Lao PDR, Myanmar, Sri Lanka), in order to set the scene of their current internationalisation model and their main needs to improve it.
Methodology
Results
A detailed study of the Higher Education Systems, internationalisation policies and strategies, mobility and international projects, challenges and needs of the partner universities, which is included in the final report “Developing an Asian way to Internationalisation: needs and priorities in Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka”
Developing an Asian way to Internationalisation: needs and priorities in Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka
Over
600
questionnaires collected
3
target groups
Objective
Enhancing the capacity of Asian universities in strategizing, promoting and managing mobility schemes through the design of a shared set of principles.
Methodology
Results
Development of a set of principles that are meant to guide and assist Asian universities in implementing or improving strategies, services and quality tools related to students’ mobility. These guidelines are included in the TOOLKIT Mobility Handbook.
3
focus groups identified
4
days of training
Objective
To establish criteria, tools and procedures for monitoring and evaluating the project in terms of both processes and outputs. In particular, these quality assurance and monitoring activities are closely related to the following aspects of the project:
Methodology
Results
The results of Quality Monitoring are available here .
Objective
To improve the skills of Asian universities staff in designing and managing international projects in order to foster their international dimension.
Methodology
Results
Asian partners became aware of the current situation of European and regional funding in relation to their institutional objectives and international relations strategies as well as of the main budgeting and management procedures to follow according to the university's envisaged plan of activities. Project partners were equipped with a shared and consistent expertise about project design and management.
Publication of a “Guide for Project Design and Management", which includes an outlook of the Asian partners’ strategic priorities and the funding opportunities and donors that could support them, as well as the technical knowledge and golden rules to design projects: it is a precious tool for anyone who intends to apply for a grant or a mobility scheme.
3
training modules
6
days of training
Objective
To support the Asian universities in either developing or updating their international relations strategies in order to better reflect the challenges, needs and strategies of modern Asian Higher Education Institutions.
Methodology
Results
Guidelines and tools that can be used to support the modernisation of Asian university strategies were discussed with university and Ministry representatives. Strategies were updated and presented to the respective Ministries of Education. The universities’ action plans are published in the report "Developing strategic plans for internationalisation"
1
one-week training
3
national workshops
7
international relations’ strategies updated
Objective
Putting the newly acquired expertise at the service of the local academic communities, as the ultimate beneficiaries of the TOOLKIT project and raising the awareness of governmental bodies and agencies in the three Asian countries.
Methodology
Results
All stakeholders’ levels were successfully engaged in order to gather consensus around the benefits of internationalisation and the proposed strategies to enhance it. A wide participation by students was achieved, who were informed about international mobility opportunities and procedures.
5
roundtables
7
students’ info-days at Asian universities
Objective
To keep target groups constantly informed in order to ensure the sustainability of the project’s outputs and to create international networking and visibility opportunities for Asian universities.
Methodology
Developing online and offline tools to reach a wide and diversified audience
To promote the project:
To increase Asian partners’ visibility and the importance of mobility programmes
Results
The project could reach the intended audiences. Partners were acquainted with new communication skills and multimedia tools were implemented by both Asian partners and EU partners.
4
websites either created or redesigned
2
videos launched
Over
10
TOOLKIT presentations delivered at events
Objective
TOOLKIT intends to contribute to the enhancement of the international dimension of Asian Higher Education Institutions by developing tools that can be available for exploitation. These tools are the TOOLKIT Video Tool for Students’ Mobility and the TOOLKIT Virtual Map of International Donors.
Methodology
Results
Publication and sharing of the TOOLKIT Virtual Map of International Donors and TOOLKIT Video Tool for Students’ Mobility .
Coordinator: University of Bologna
Italy
National University of Laos
Lao PDR
Souphanouvong University
Lao PDR
University of Yangon
Myanmar
Yangon University of Economics
Myanmar
Yezin Agricultural University
Myanmar
University of Kelaniya
Sri Lanka
University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka
Vilniaus Universitetas
Lithuania
Uppsala Universitet
Sweden
A number of “Train the trainers” events were organised, aiming to equip representatives of the Asian partner universities with tools and knowledge on the three axes that are instrumental in enhancing the internationalisation of university strategies. These notions were further disseminated throughout the Asian region by means of institutional and national Cascade Trainings.
International strategies
One-week training organised by Vilnius University, 7 - 11 October 2019, Vilnius
Aim: to acquaint the partners with the different ways to approach strategic planning on internationalisation and to provide hands-on experience in the use of the tools for strategy development.
Participants: 21 representatives from partner universities
Content: approaches to internationalisation strategies at higher education institutions, institutionally relevant SWOT analysis on international relations and internationalisation, definition of the gaps in international strategies, involvement of staff and students in designing the strategy, examples of action plans.
Project design and management
I module: 10/17 March 2021, II module: 24/31 March 2021, III module: 28 April/5 May 2021, online, coordinated by University of Bologna
Aim: to help Asian University staff identify and analyse funding opportunities, to explore the organisational models that can be used in the managing phase of the projects and discuss typical problems and solutions, with the help of case study methods.
Participants: around 30 participants for each module representing the staff of International Relation Offices dealing especially with projects.
Content: how to produce reports, use different networking tools, manage information flows, deadlines and the specific forms and templates for designing projects effectively. Project and risk management techniques were addressed. Report skills were stressed as a key aspect to underline the needs, capacities and internal resources in terms of personnel and suitable equipment. Participants were asked to evaluate the impact of internationalisation projects in the field of education within their universities, and how to exploit them.
Effective management of mobility flows in Asian universities
28 September - 1 October 2020, online, organised by Uppsala University
Aim: A four days’ training to get useful insights on how Uppsala University manages international mobility flows and to lead to the preparation of the Handbook for international mobility management.
Participants: 56 participants
Content: presentation of internal organisation and procedures concerning international mobility, management of student exchange agreements, availability of courses in English, promotional activities and services for inbound and outbound mobility.
Agenda, presentations, surveys of the training events are available here .
3
Train the trainers events
14
days of training
Over
150
participants
A number of “Train the trainers” events were organised, aiming to equip representatives of the Asian partner universities with tools and knowledge on the three axes that are instrumental in enhancing the internationalisation of university strategies. These notions were further disseminated throughout the Asian region by means of institutional and national Cascade Trainings.
International strategies
One-week training organised by Vilnius University, 7 - 11 October 2019, Vilnius
Aim: to acquaint the partners with the different ways to approach strategic planning on internationalisation and to provide hands-on experience in the use of the tools for strategy development.
Participants: 21 representatives from partner universities
Content: approaches to internationalisation strategies at higher education institutions, institutionally relevant SWOT analysis on international relations and internationalisation, definition of the gaps in international strategies, involvement of staff and students in designing the strategy, examples of action plans.
Project design and management
I module: 10/17 March 2021, II module: 24/31 March 2021, III module: 28 April/5 May 2021, online, coordinated by University of Bologna
Aim: to help Asian University staff identify and analyse funding opportunities, to explore the organisational models that can be used in the managing phase of the projects and discuss typical problems and solutions, with the help of case study methods.
Participants: around 30 participants for each module representing the staff of International Relation Offices dealing especially with projects.
Content: how to produce reports, use different networking tools, manage information flows, deadlines and the specific forms and templates for designing projects effectively. Project and risk management techniques were addressed. Report skills were stressed as a key aspect to underline the needs, capacities and internal resources in terms of personnel and suitable equipment. Participants were asked to evaluate the impact of internationalisation projects in the field of education within their universities, and how to exploit them.
Effective management of mobility flows in Asian universities
28 September - 1 October 2020, online, organised by Uppsala University
Aim: A four days’ training to get useful insights on how Uppsala University manages international mobility flows and to lead to the preparation of the Handbook for international mobility management.
Participants: 56 participants
Content: presentation of internal organisation and procedures concerning international mobility, management of student exchange agreements, availability of courses in English, promotional activities and services for inbound and outbound mobility.
Agenda, presentations, surveys of the training events are available here .
3
Train the trainers events
14
days of training
Over
150
participants
A number of “Train the trainers” events were organised, aiming to equip representatives of the Asian partner universities with tools and knowledge on the three axes that are instrumental in enhancing the internationalisation of university strategies. These notions were further disseminated throughout the Asian region by means of institutional and national Cascade Trainings.
International strategies
One-week training organised by Vilnius University, 7 - 11 October 2019, Vilnius
Aim: to acquaint the partners with the different ways to approach strategic planning on internationalisation and to provide hands-on experience in the use of the tools for strategy development.
Participants: 21 representatives from partner universities
Content: approaches to internationalisation strategies at higher education institutions, institutionally relevant SWOT analysis on international relations and internationalisation, definition of the gaps in international strategies, involvement of staff and students in designing the strategy, examples of action plans.
Project design and management
I module: 10/17 March 2021, II module: 24/31 March 2021, III module: 28 April/5 May 2021, online, coordinated by University of Bologna
Aim: to help Asian University staff identify and analyse funding opportunities, to explore the organisational models that can be used in the managing phase of the projects and discuss typical problems and solutions, with the help of case study methods.
Participants: around 30 participants for each module representing the staff of International Relation Offices dealing especially with projects.
Content: how to produce reports, use different networking tools, manage information flows, deadlines and the specific forms and templates for designing projects effectively. Project and risk management techniques were addressed. Report skills were stressed as a key aspect to underline the needs, capacities and internal resources in terms of personnel and suitable equipment. Participants were asked to evaluate the impact of internationalisation projects in the field of education within their universities, and how to exploit them.
Effective management of mobility flows in Asian universities
28 September - 1 October 2020, online, organised by Uppsala University
Aim: A four days’ training to get useful insights on how Uppsala University manages international mobility flows and to lead to the preparation of the Handbook for international mobility management.
Participants: 56 participants
Content: presentation of internal organisation and procedures concerning international mobility, management of student exchange agreements, availability of courses in English, promotional activities and services for inbound and outbound mobility.
Agenda, presentations, surveys of the training events are available here .
3
Train the trainers events
14
days of training
Over
150
participants
Aim: Cascade training is a training methodology where people originally trained are supposed to train more people in subsequent meetings. This method was chosen as an appropriate one for the Asian context to reach out the widest possible audience.
Methodology: Staff from Asian partners institutions who attended events at European partner universities were engaged to organise cascade trainings addressed to their faculties and staff involved in the international activities and share the knowledge they had acquired. One institutional cascade training was organised in each Asian partner university.
Agenda and presentations of the cascade trainings are available here.
7
institutional cascade trainings
320
staff trained
Aim: Cascade training is a training methodology where people originally trained are supposed to train more people in subsequent meetings. This method was chosen as an appropriate one for the Asian context to reach out the widest possible audience.
Methodology: Staff from Asian partners institutions who attended events at European partner universities were engaged to organise cascade trainings addressed to their faculties and staff involved in the international activities and share the knowledge they had acquired. One institutional cascade training was organised in each Asian partner university.
Agenda and presentations of the cascade trainings are available here.
7
institutional cascade trainings
320
staff trained
Aim: Cascade training is a training methodology where people originally trained are supposed to train more people in subsequent meetings. This method was chosen as an appropriate one for the Asian context to reach out the widest possible audience.
Methodology: Staff from Asian partners institutions who attended events at European partner universities were engaged to organise cascade trainings addressed to their faculties and staff involved in the international activities and share the knowledge they had acquired. One institutional cascade training was organised in each Asian partner university.
Agenda and presentations of the cascade trainings are available here.
7
institutional cascade trainings
320
staff trained
Aim: Cascade training is a training methodology where people originally trained are supposed to train more people in subsequent meetings. This method was chosen as an appropriate one for the Asian context to reach out the widest possible audience.
Methodology: Staff from Asian partners institutions who attended events at European partner universities were engaged to organise cascade trainings addressed to the other institutions of the country and stakeholders to share the knowledge they had acquired. One national cascade training was organised in each Asian partner country.
Agenda and presentations of the cascade trainings are available here.
3
national cascade trainings
230
staff trained
Aim: Cascade training is a training methodology where people originally trained are supposed to train more people in subsequent meetings. This method was chosen as an appropriate one for the Asian context to reach out the widest possible audience.
Methodology: Staff from Asian partners institutions who attended events at European partner universities were engaged to organise cascade trainings addressed to the other institutions of the country and stakeholders to share the knowledge they had acquired. One national cascade training was organised in each Asian partner country.
Agenda and presentations of the cascade trainings are available here.
3
national cascade trainings
230
staff trained
Aim: Cascade training is a training methodology where people originally trained are supposed to train more people in subsequent meetings. This method was chosen as an appropriate one for the Asian context to reach out the widest possible audience.
Methodology: Staff from Asian partners institutions who attended events at European partner universities were engaged to organise cascade trainings addressed to the other institutions of the country and stakeholders to share the knowledge they had acquired. One national cascade training was organised in each Asian partner country.
Agenda and presentations of the cascade trainings are available here.
3
national cascade trainings
230
staff trained
Aim: presenting the work done by partner universities and the updated internationalisation strategies to engage representatives from the respective Ministries of Higher Education and to the staff of other universities in the country.
National Workshop “A Global Outlook for Myanmar Universities”, University of Yangon, Yangon, 11 January 2020
Content: presentation of the report Developing an Asian way to Internationalisation: needs and priorities in Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, presentation of the results of training experience on international strategies in Vilnius University and updated outlines of international strategies and action plans for internationalisation of Myanmar Universities.
Participants: participants from partner universities as well as other universities of the country, and Ministries representatives including the Director General of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
National Workshop “A Global Outlook for Laotian Universities”, National University of Laos, Vientiane, 14 January 2020
Content: presentation of the report Developing an Asian way to Internationalisation: needs and priorities in Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, presentation of the outlines of Laotian partners' new/updated strategic plans for internationalisation together with their new action plans.
Participants representatives of partner universities, all the other public universities of the country and Ministries representatives including the Deputy Director General of Higher Education Department and representatives from the Department of Planning and from the Department of External Relations, Ministry of Education and Sports.
National Workshop “A Global Outlook for Sri Lankan Universities”, University of Peradeniya and University of Kelaniya, 27 October 2020
Content: presentation of the report Developing an Asian way to Internationalisation: needs and priorities in Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, presentation by Sri Lankan partners of the work done on their internationalisation strategies and the improvements brought about by the participation to the TOOLKIT Project.
Participants participants bringing together TOOLKIT Sri Lankan and EU partners as well as representatives of other public universities in Sri Lanka and Ministries representatives including the Honourable State Minister for Education.
3
national workshops
Over
150
participants
Being capable of responding successfully to international calls is essential to expand networks, get visibility and eventually enhance the quality of teaching and learning thanks to international exchanges. Project design demands a number of skills that do not relate only to the quality of the project itself. Mastering them is key to success. The roadmap for project proposal and management is a process involving many steps: here are some golden rules to keep in mind!
Golden rules are commented on in the “Guide for Project Design and Management" available here.
Roundtables were organised specifically to enable discussion and networking among IRO staff and the other category of stakeholders that are involved in the definition of international strategies, i.e., academic staff, university governance, national governance, ministry representatives, and ultimately local students.
Agenda and presentations of the events are available here.
5
events
Over
190
participants
Each Asian partner university organised an Info Day for students to share the international opportunities and encourage discussion about their importance and value for the quality of higher education.
Agenda and presentations of the events are available here.
7
events for students
Over
800
participants
Aim: to foster a tighter cooperation between institutions, to enrich and support international programmes, activities and exchanges, and to promote the value of international education across the region and beyond.
APAIE in numbers: the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) attracts 2000 delegates and over 200 exhibitors from all around the world each year.
APAIE’s Call for Abstract: in order to participate to APAIE, Souphanouvong University and University of Kelaniya won the APAIE’s call for Abstract presenting their proposal about Brave New Realities for Higher Education in the Asian Pacific.
APAIE’s presentation: the TOOLKIT team presented opportunities and challenges for virtual mobility students in a post-pandemic world, the adaptation process to a changing world and the importance of a blended approach. Finally, they presented TOOLKIT and how the project helped them increase global visibility of Asian HEIs and their internationalisation strategies.
The TOOLKIT project
TOOLKIT is a multi-country Erasmus+ project involving Higher Education Institutions from Europe, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Sri Lanka. Its main aim is supporting the enhancement and modernization of the internationalization strategies pursued by Asian universities, especially in building up an “Asian way” to internationalization.
Project summary
Based on the results of an extensive analysis of the needs and challenges of Asian Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in terms of internationalization carried out by the partner universities of Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, the TOOLKIT European partners provided training activities for Asian International Relations Offices (IROs) on the 3 main focuses of the project:
The newly acquired skills and expertise in such fields were further disseminated by the Asian partner universities on an institutional and national level through the organisation of workshops and cascade trainings in their home universities as well as the participation to international summits.
The Asian partners fostered the engagement of the entire academic community in IR activities backed by a communication strategy blending offline and online tools, organisation of roundtables on internationalization and info-days on international opportunities for students. For each of the 3 main focuses of the project, useful online and offline tools were produced in order to support the international dimension enhancement of Asian partner institutions, during the project lifetime and beyond, guaranteeing the exploitation of the project results.
How to read this virtual handbook?
This is a virtual handbook that makes use of a symbolic city drawing to present the main activities and results of the TOOLKIT project. This tool serves as a public dissemination product to be exploited by the stakeholders and all interested parties who operate in the internalization of Higher Education Institutions in the Asian region. When you scroll over the image, the different sections get coloured: click on each of it to retrieve the texts corresponding to a project work package. You can further click on the highlighted text’s elements to unfold the related information.
How was this handbook produced?
This handbook was delivered by the University of Bologna as the coordinator of the TOOLKIT project with the support of the whole consortium and takes into account all the contributions, reports and tools implemented collaboratively by both the European and the Asian partners of the project throughout four years of activities (2018-2022).