Alliance 4 Universities Continues Funding Academic Mobility with Russian Universities
Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U) has secured 59.150,00€ of Erasmus+ funding in 2019 round of awards. These funds will help continue student and staff exchange between 4 universities members of A4U (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona) and 8 Russian partner universities, with Higher School of Economics among them.
Since 2015 A4U was able to fund exchanges of 166 staff and students through Erasmus+ programme, with 17 more being planned for 2020-2021 academic year.
As a result of the exchange, students improve their language and inter-cultural skills, increase their confidence and gain international experience that counts towards their qualification. A research stay abroad can help doctoral students jumpstart their career.
Roberto Calles Ballesteros, a Bachelor student in Economics and Law at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, spent a semester studying at HSE University. He has shared his impressions: 'Erasmus helped me to improve my level of English, especially my knowledge of law and economics terminology, and acquire a basic level of Russian. I met great people from all over the world with whom we travelled around Russia. On top of that, this experience turned out to be valuable for my CV as it helped me to land internships in companies. I would recommend it to everyone. It was an incredible opportunity for me and I would have stayed longer if I could. Actually, I intend to return to Russia again if I have a chance.'
Viktoriia Khodyreva, a Bachelor student in Applied Mathematics and Informatics at HSE University spent a semester studying at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She says: 'Erasmus definitely helped me to become more confident academically. I had an opportunity to study in a different environment, to try new courses and to experience life abroad. What is more, I made good contacts useful in my career and while travelling: I have friends all over the world.'
Staff also benefit from exchange as they learn and share best practice and have a chance to have a first-hand experience of a different educational system.
Pilar Grima Lorente, who works in the International Relations Office at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and came on a 7-day visit to HSE University, comments: 'My stay at HSE Moscow was rewarding and enriching. I held 14 meetings on different levels, where we compared internationalisation systems in both universities. I also had meetings with representatives of five academic departments and we signed an international agreement covering five new fields of study, that will undoubtedly strengthen relations between HSE and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. I would certainly recommend this programme to anyone. It is enriching not only on a professional, but on a personal level as well. This international experience gives you an intense exposure to the culture of the host institution and improves everyday communication between representatives of both universities.'
Through Erasmus+ programme participating universities have opportunities to forge cooperation in teaching and research, attract talent and increase the number of international students and staff, which in turn contributes to their diversity and internationalisation.
About Alianza 4 Universidades:
Alianza 4 Universities (A4U) is a strategic association of four Spanish public universities: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. A4U has been securing funding for Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility programme since 2015. A4U runs Erasmus+ exchanges with leading universities in Russia, South Africa, Iran, India and Indonesia. For more information visit mobility grants page and student and staff exchange news.
About Erasmus:
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for more than 4 million young people to study, gain work experience or volunteer abroad. Erasmus+ is designed to modernise education, training, youth work and sport across Europe, through strategic partnerships and through opportunities for staff and professionals to train or exchange experience. The current programme runs from 2014-2020 with a budget of €14.7 billion across Europe. The programme is managed in Spain by the Spanish National Agency www.sepie.es