European Policy Statement

In the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme Mid Sweden University has applied for and was granted an Extended Erasmus University Charter.

The Charter entitles Mid Sweden University to participate in several forms of Erasmus activities such as for example mobility, multilateral projects and networks.

• I. Strategy and objectives

  Mid Sweden University (Mittuniversitetet, MIUN) became a full status university on January 1, 2005. Mid Sweden University’s internationalisation strategy states that all of Mid Sweden University’s activities shall be imprinted with a high degree of internationalisation and the university shall be nationally well known for its advanced position within the area of internationalisation. A strategy group was formed 2006 to implement the internationalisation strategy.
  
  MIUN will work towards the aim by strengthening the implementation of the Erasmus Programme and improve and expand student-, teacher- and staff exchange, student placement and participation in Intensive Programmes. MIUN will further develop the participation in Curriculum Development projects, cooperation between higher education and enterprises, virtual campus projects, thematic networks and accompanying measures.

   

  Simultaneously we aim to work with other programmes such as MFS, Nordplus and if possible other programmes within the LLP, to further strengthen and support the global spirit.

   

  To promote Erasmus activities and visualise them, MIUN will continue to advertise Erasmus activities on relevant student and staff websites, print and distribute posters, flyers and brochures. We will continue to have individual information meetings as well as group meetings. We will actively involve the municipalities and student accommodation companies in order to raise the awareness of Erasmus and its benefits, not only within the University but also within the surroundings.

   

  The EUC and EPS will be uploaded on the website and the documents will be spread in several ways. MIUN has a counsel that works with non-discrimination objectives and MIUN has various policies that serve as important instruments to achieve equal opportunities. Both the counsels contact information as well as the documents are available on our website.

   

  MIUN has very good facilities to assist disabled students/ staff members and has staff members who work with the specific assignment of facilitating disabled students.

   

  Updated 26 July 2011
• II. Provision of information

  To ensure high quality in MIUN’s academic mobility all aspects of exchanges are followed up and assessed. This is done by meetings, as well as by written reports after the exchanges. Students are amongst others provided with a Learning Agreement and Registration form for exchange studies. The student is registered in the database on exchange studies and by returning to MIUN the results will be accredited in correlation to the Learning Agreement.
  
  With the implementation of the Bologna process MIUN will fully implement the ECTS- credit system during 2007. The information regarding the study system, curriculum, credit points, and grades is available on our website and all incoming students and staff members receive this information before arrival. MIUN also has a ‘Guide for Exchange Students’ where further details are provided. A Guide for staff members is currently being developed.

   

  Upon arrival of the incoming students an introduction takes place. All incoming students are currently appointed a mentor student to help them in daily life. We have a close cooperation with the Student Union and the International Student Committee. Social activities for incoming students are planned to help them integrate as soon as possible. Students are guaranteed furnished accommodation during their stay at our university. A Swedish course is provided for all incoming students.

   

  Outgoing students are invited to group- and individual meetings where the Department guides them through the information regarding the host university, assists in filling in and sending forms to the host university, follows up the contact between the parties and is continuously available in case questions arise.

  Outgoing and incoming staff is provided information and assistance to facilitate their mobility as well.

   

  Updated 26 July 2011
• III. Student placement

  Student placement activities are already a large part of Mid Sweden University’s activities. The agreements between MIUN and placement hosts are currently coordinated at departmental level. The coordinator at the department, together with the student and the placement host, assesses the terms and conditions before signing. If the work is assessed and approved of, the agreement can be signed by all parties. To inform students of this student placement possibility, several meetings and seminars are organised at various educational levels. The meetings and seminars are organised by teachers and staff at the department. All students interested in student placement activities can fill in an application. The student will then receive the practical information and if existing agreements are not an alternative, new options will be explored in a joint effort. 

   

  During the placement process, students attend preparatory seminars. After the student’s return, seminars and meetings are planned to integrate the experiences of the students and organisations into the curriculum. Before, during and after the work placement a continuous contact between the parties is maintained, to ensure progress and development. The current student placements are integrated in the curriculum and all work is accredited. The student and placement host are required to write a report at the end of the work placement for quality insurance.

  Updated 26 July 2011