For the eighteenth time, the Quality Competition organised by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation was attended by educational institutions from all fields, whose project applications submitted to the competition reflected one, and sometimes even several, priorities of the Erasmus+ programme: inclusion and diversity, digitalisation, combating climate change, or active participation. Among the 2024 winners is Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI), which received an award for organising the most mobility of students with fewer opportunities.
‘The Erasmus+ programme aims to involve all members of the academic community in internationalisation activities and academic mobility. A very important focus of the programme is additional financial support for students who, for various reasons, have fewer opportunities to participate in academic mobility activities. At the Kauno kolegija HEI, we aim to provide all students with equal opportunities, so this programme support is very useful for our students,’ shares Povilas Beseckas, Head of the International Relations Unit of Kauno kolegija HEI.
He notes that being recognised by the Educational Exchange Support Foundation with a special award for organising the most mobility of students with fewer opportunities is a clear sign that attention to the needs of all students is important and contributes to a common inclusive European higher education area.
After the commission evaluates and selects the highest quality Erasmus+ projects, their implementers will be awarded prizes – a Quality Competition statuette and a video report specially dedicated to the institution.
‘This competition is not only a time for awards and evaluations but also a great opportunity to celebrate the efforts of the education community to achieve the highest standards. We are pleased to be able to promote innovation and inclusion, which contribute to the sustainable and progressive growth of the education sector. We congratulate the winners, whose work has become an inspiration to others, and thank everyone who contributes to these significant achievements,’ says Daiva Šutinytė, Director of the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.
The Quality Competition awards are presented:
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- Alytus Nursery School “Volungėlė” is awarded for promoting the priority “Environment and Climate Change” and implementing the thematic project.
- Panevėžys University of the Third Age is awarded for strengthening the priority “Inclusion and Diversity” and implementing the thematic project.
- An additional award for a project that meets the priority “Inclusion and Diversity” is given to Šiauliai “Romuva” Progymnasium.
The Education Exchanges Support Foundation also awards three special awards:
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- Kauno kolegija HEI for organising the largest number of mobility opportunities for students with fewer opportunities.
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Gymnasium for organising the largest number of student mobility events.
- Marijampolė Vocational Training Centre for promoting the mobility of students with fewer opportunities in the vocational training sector.
Prepared according to the Education Exchanges Support Foundation information (in Lithuanian)