Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) is consistently and purposefully increasing the internationality of its activities to become an advanced European higher education institution. As it grows, the number of international students and employees of Kauno kolegija HEI is also expanding.
To alleviate the challenges that may arise as the Kauno kolegija HEI’s international community grows, on November 6–7, lecturers and administrative staff working with students of study programmes taught in English will deepen their knowledge about working in a multicultural environment during the training “Intercultural sensitivity & competence”.
The number of students from foreign countries is growing
The French lecturers conducting the training, Ghislaine Tamisier and Agnes Domercq, are from the organisation Mitra+, which specialises in training on promoting intercultural dialogue and the ability to function in a multicultural environment.
‘The lecturers represent an organisation that works with refugees and local communities, promoting dialogue and the search for togetherness. At Kauno kolegija HEI, the lecturers will conduct training on personal identity in a multicultural community, share experience on the necessary competencies in carrying out activities and promoting cultural cohesion,’ says Head of International Relations Unit Povilas Beseckas.
He notes that not all members of the Kauno kolegija HEI community have experience working in a multicultural environment, and this can pose specific challenges when the group consists of students not only from several countries but from several continents.
‘By being able to better understand the influence of different cultures on the learning process, communication and collaboration, lecturers and non-academic staff will be able to work much more effectively and, very importantly, will experience less stress caused by working in a multicultural environment,’ adds the Head of the International Relations Unit.
Internationality is among the strategic priorities of Kauno kolegija HEI
Internationality is one of the strategic directions of Kauno kolegija HEI and various international activities at the Kauno kolegija HEI are constantly increasing.
‘Students’ and lecturers’ exchanges, international projects – these activities are widely developed, and taken as self-evident by the Kauno kolegija HEI community. Degree-granting studies in English, where the number of students from various parts of the world has been consistently increasing in recent years, raise a few more questions and challenges,’ notes P. Beseckas.
He points out that when students come to study, they not only come with a unique understanding of academic life but also bring with them a unique culture. A different approach to studying, to communicating with lecturers and colleagues, different customs and religious beliefs – this is just a small part of how the presence of international students enriches the life of Kauno kolegija HEI.
‘For these reasons, it is very important to offer the Kauno kolegija HEI community training that will help them understand how the dynamics in the community change when integrating international students into the daily activities,’ the Head of the International Relations Unit emphasises the importance of training.
He points out that Kauno kolegija HEI has an ambitious goal – to be a progressive European higher education institution, where internationality is understood as a horizontal priority, integrated into all activities.
‘Internationality is perceived in the Kauno kolegija HEI community as a means that significantly contributes to the high-quality implementation of the Kauno kolegija HEI’s mission. The institution, having successfully joined the international alliance of European universities UNINOVIS and actively participating in the activities of international networks, is consistently increasing the mutual mobility of students and lecturers and offering more and more study programmes in a foreign language every year,’ says P. Beseckas.
He notes that Kauno kolegija HEI has a goal to constantly increase the number of foreign students and attract the best foreign lecturers from universities of applied sciences in Europe and other countries.
‘Internationalisation development activities lead Kauno kolegija HEI towards its main goal – to be a university of applied sciences recognised and valued in the common European scientific space, actively and effectively working for the welfare of the community, the country, and all of Europe,’ says Head of the International Relations Unit P. Beseckas.
