On April 7-8, Jolanta Valiaugienė, Head of Unit for International Relations of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, participated in the contact seminar “Inclusive Mobility in Higher Education” organized by the Swedish Council for Higher Education.

In the new stage of the 2021-2027 Erasmus+ programme increasing the inclusiveness and diversity is one of the key priorities, and the aim of the seminar was to raise awareness and knowledge of how to overcome barriers to participating and increase participants’ inclusion in higher education mobility activities. During the seminar, representatives of foreign national agencies and representatives of higher education institutions shared their experiences on how to reach and increase the number of disadvantaged and under-represented groups participating in Erasmus+ mobility. The representative of the Belgium National Agency emphasized that the lack of information about the country, the learning system, the internships, or the training opportunities discouraged students and workers from participating in mobility programmes. In this case, it is useful to read through the information prepared by the European Euroguidance Network, which can be found here.

Representatives of Copenhagen Business School shared their experience in changing the criteria for selecting students for participation in mobility, with a stronger emphasis on students’ involvement in other, non-academic activities (volunteering, ESN activities, etc.). During the seminar, information was shared on how to encourage students with disabilities to participate in mobility activities, which communication channels should be used to reach the target groups, and what problems are encountered in organizing mobility.

One of the most important strategic tasks of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences is to develop the international openness of studies, as well as to foster the culture of the learning organization, to strengthen the coherence of the community and the well-being of employees. In order to make it easier for students and staff to participate in mobility activities, Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, in accordance with the principles of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027, seeks to ensure equal and fair access and other opportunities for potential participants. University has established groups of students and staff with fewer opportunities for mobility activities, which receive top-up funding from the European Commission (EC). More information on additional funding for groups of students and employees with fewer opportunities in Erasmus+ mobility activities can be found here.

Also, in order to encourage students to participate in mobility, the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences provides additional funding from the institution funds to the approved EC scholarship for incoming students. In order to ensure flexible conditions for students to participate in mobility programmes, opportunities are provided to take part in mixed short-term mobility by participating in various international projects with foreign partners.