NEWSLETTER ISSUE 01, 2018

CONTENT Our vision is to become a country of knowledge, fully integrated within the About the Project 1 European educational area. Our goal is to enhance the internationalization processes BOOST Project in Progress 2 of Armenian higher education institutions From Idea to Action 3 (HEIs) while prioritizing the mobility of students, faculty and administrative staff; Some Key Figures on Higher Education the introduction of study programs in foreign Internationalization in 4 languages; and, the internationalization Armenia as a Meeting Point Between of research. As the BOOST Project aims to East and West 5 promote the internationalization of Armenian HEIs through the development of national AUA: Reflections by the Mobility and institutional policy frameworks and tools, Participants 6 it will directly contribute to the achievement VSU: International Credit Mobility of the aforementioned goals. The RA Ministry from the Students' Point of View 6 of Education and Science expresses its readiness to ensure the project’s success and ShSU: Promoting the University sustainability through its direct involvement. Internationally 8 Mr. Vahram Mkrtchyan Project Partners 8 RA Deputy Minister of Science & Education

ABOUT THE PROJECT MoES and social partners on strategic OUTCOMES management, marketing and cultural • Creation and implementation of OBJECTIVE challenges as well as implementation policy framework on To foster and promote further of credit mobility, ensuring holistic internationalization, internationalization of Armenian approach to internationalization • A National Platform for HEI through development of management issues, internationalization in Higher national and institutional policy • Create or enhance ICO resources Education, framework and tools. and service-oriented centers at the • ICO staff of HEIs trained, Armenian HEIs, including • ICO resources and service- SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES development of strategic and oriented centers at the Armenian • Develop national policy framework marketing plans and tools. HEIs in place. and tools for facilitating internationalization practices in Armenian HE, • Create a National Platform and online tools for mapping and benchmarking internationalization processes in Higher Education, • Build capacities of International Cooperation Office (ICO) staff of HEIs,

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 1 BOOST PROJECT IN PROGRESS

The Erasmus+ BOOST Project has planned and implemented several capacity-building activities that directly contribute to the implementation of the main objectives set forth in the Project Proposal. Following the kick-off meeting in February 2017, various events have been conducted within the one and a half year. Particularly in May also applied to conduct SWOT 2017, the project Coordinator Armenian State Pedagogical University analysis of HE internationalization after Khachatur Abovian (ASPU), initiated an inter-project coaching by in Armenia. ERASMUS + HARMONY /Development of approaches to harmonization The first step in reviewing the of comprehensive internationalization strategies in higher education, internationalization practices and research and innovation at EU and partner countries/project of the Russian- policy framework of EU countries Armenian (Slavonic) University and Eurasia International University. was the study visit to the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), The inter-project coaching was of Armenian higher education Sweden which was held on June initiated taking into account the institutions using other post-Soviet 7-9, 2017. During the visit, the similarities in overall objectives and European universities for participants got acquainted with of these two projects, which comparison. The main achievement the international projects and is the development of an of the benchmarking analysis, internationalization procedure internationalization strategy of higher however, carried out within the of KTH, the EU integration education institutions in Armenia. BOOST project was the case study process in higher education and The HARMONY team shared the of national strategies of each internationalization strategies and project results that have already been benchmarked country. trends in European higher education. reached in the first 18 months of the The participants were acquainted project. The meeting was particularly with the activities of the Swedish focused on the questionnaires and Foundation for International methodology developed by the Cooperation in Research and Higher HARMONY project in order to assess Education (STINT) as a sample of the state of internationalization in best practice of implementation partner universities and countries like of an internationalization Armenia, Russia, Belarus, UK, Portugal, Thus, the data gathered within strategy. STINT promotes Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece. the HARMONY project on the internationalization of Swedish The data obtained by questionnaire internationalization level of each higher education and research by later served as a basis to carry out country Higher Education (HE) was enhancing competitiveness and benchmarking analysis within the in most cases the direct reflection strengthening attractiveness of BOOST project aiming to examine of national strategies. The results Swedish universities. the level of internationalization of the benchmarking analysis were To further enhance knowledge of The participants were trained on the diagnosis phases for SWOT, environment scanning on trends in HE through implementation, evaluation and correcting measures.

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 2 workshop was organized at the feedback on recommendations Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya for internationalization action (UPC), Spain on 19-23 February, 2018. plans prepared by each institution During the training workshop, the to be further implemented within presenters introduced the Strategic their respective universities at the Planning Cycle from the perspective institutional level. of European best-practices and know-how approaches. The participants were also trained the International Cooperation on the diagnosis phases for SWOT, Office (ICO) staff of HEIs, Ministry environment scanning on trends of Education and Science in HE through implementation, (MoES) and partner entities on evaluation and correction measures. strategic management, and to The interactive training was develop skills to build strategic concluded with facilitators’ internationalization plan, a training

FROM IDEA TO ACTION Partners from EU Instituto after M. Nalbandyan (ShSU), Superior Tecnico (ICT), Portugal, Vanadzor State University after THE IDEA Royal Institute of Technology H. Tumanyan (VSU), Is it enough to have an idea to (KTH), Sweden, Rovira and Virgili State Conservatory after Komitas start the development of Project University (URV), Spain and Tallinn and National Information Center Proposal? Of course, generation of University of Technology, (TTU), for Academic Recognition and worthy idea is crucial to start the Estonia, having big experience and Mobility (ArmEnic). To bring process. However, it is not enough. large international cooperation, in different viewpoints on HE Once the idea is born, it needs joined the initiative to share their internationalization, different efforts to find like-minded people knowledge and experience with Universities and organizations to join the initiative, get common Armenian Partners (Ministry of have been contacted to join understanding and win support by Education and Science, ASPU, the initiative and share their bigger team. This is how it happened AUA, Shirak State University experience with the Consortium. with the Erasmus+ BOOST Project, when the American University of Armenia (AUA), driven by the need to set an international cooperation office, started campaigning the idea which then evolved in developing a Project proposal that would enhance and promote internationalization of Higher Education in Armenia.

THE PARTNERSHIP Sparked with the idea, AUA advocated it with Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovian (ASPU) and, together with Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), they started the development of the Proposal.

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 3 Developing a proposal information, figures, what went not being evaluated further. Read What should be considered when well and wrong, advice from carefully the funding rules and developing a grant Proposal? stakeholders not directly involved consider them during the Project There are several guidelines on in the Project will enhance your proposal development. Lost with how to write proposals, how to Project and ensure support of bigger guidelines, focus of the Project and specify aims and objectives, etc., community. Consider each opinion ideas? Get feedback from Partners but the experience proves that on the issue concerned, that might and peers that might give you Proposal development needs wider make your Proposal even stronger. unbiased and frank opinion. Find knowledge of not only the technical Define the problem and state the someone who has had experience approaches in writing proposal, but goals that will finally drive you to in similar processes and don’t be also the corresponding background; writing the narrative part of the afraid of approaching them and in this case global trends in HE, Project. Consider also the impact getting informal information and Internationalization issues, national and sustainability issues of the some guidance. and international policy papers. Project and the groups it will target. And you’re finally there! Here you Basic literature, articles and reports are, the Project has been positively might provide a valuable insight evaluated and you got the to the vision the Proposal should funding. The bigger process starts follow. Another source for the at this point: the coordination proposal development is findings of the Project which needs from previous projects, reports, sufficient professional capacity guides drawing lessons from involving different structures of practitioners in the field. Getting the organization participating to know other’s experience might Consider funding guidelines, in the Project. Communication, make you look at the things outside eligibility criteria and involvement of all stakeholders in of the box and see the bigger picture evaluation: the Process, finding solutions to you would like to have at the end Sometimes sparked with the idea, challenging situations, keeping the of the Project. the team working on the Proposal ethical and professional values, the development leaves out important high spirit of the Consortium needs Understanding your needs is information on eligibility criteria, big efforts, emotional intelligence another crucial part of the Proposal funding rules and evaluation and professional approaches to the writing. Going around getting criteria that will cause your Project Project Management.

SOME KEY FIGURES ON HIGHER EDUCATION INTERNATIONALIZATION IN ARMENIA

The National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility is a member of the international network of ENIC-NARIC organizations, which are obliged to contribute to the implementation of the challenges mapped out in the Bologna Declaration. The Center provides information on national and foreign education systems, qualifications, national qualification frameworks as well as provides advice on the recognition and assessment of qualifications.

While speaking about the to figure out which are the According to the applications and internationalization of the target countries for Armenia and requests received by the National Armenian higher education which country graduates tend to Information Center for Academic system and HEIs, it is important continue education in Armenia. Recognition and Mobility in 2017,

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 4 it is possible to have an idea of the recruiting students do not always final destination is not mentioned. present situation. ask advice of the Center and thus According to 2017 data, 42% of our information may not always total requests were received from Chart 1 below shows the geographic be fully reflective of the reality. Georgia. During 2017, ArmEnic also origin of foreign qualifications As it can be seen, the majority of received requests from the USA considered by the Center which applicants seeking recognition were (10%), Germany (9%), Sweden (5%) were evaluated by the ArmEnic for holders of Russian qualifications and Russia (5%). It is important to academic or professional purposes. (24%). The qualifications obtained state that there was an increase in Most probably, the geography of in the USA consist 9% of the total requests received from the Ministry foreign students choosing Armenia number, Germany 8%, Ukraine 7% of Health of Israel (8%) which as a study destination is wider and Syria 5%. In case of outbound related to medical qualifications but universities that are actively mobility – when individuals with obtained in Armenia. Armenian qualifications choose to study further in other countries or for employment purposes, the Center provides an advisory statement on their qualifications. The advisory statements are provided both to individuals and USA 9% China 3% various organizations. USA 10% India 3% Israel 5% Russia 24% Belgium 2% Sweden 5% Germany 8% Syria 5% Germany 9% Ukraine 2% Chart 2 shows the requests Iran 3% Georgia 4% Israel 8% Russia 5% Lebanon 2% France 2% received by the organizations while Italy 1% Georgia 42% Britain 3% Other 25% the requests of individuals are not Poland 1% France 1% Ukraine 7% included since in many cases the Canada 2% Other 9%

ARMENIA AS A MEETING POINT BETWEEN EAST AND WEST

What is internationalization? And how will this program affect us musicians? Similar questions arose when we were invited to become members of the Erasmus+ BOOST consortium and participate in the process of developing a national Middle East 51% internationalization strategy in Eastern Europe 23% the field of higher education. The South Caucasus 12% questions were natural, as the Western Europe 9% number of foreign students in South America 5% the Yerevan State Conservatory graduates perform worldwide in named after Komitas constitutes the best concert halls, work in almost 13% of the total number. famous orchestras, prestigious from which foreign students colleges, conservatories, etc. By come to our institution. The chart Conservatory diplomas are conducting some research, we in right shows the geography recognized in different countries realized that it is necessary to of the foreign students of the of the world; students and expand the number of countries Conservatory.

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 5 AUA: REFLECTIONS BY MOBILITY PARTICIPANTS “I decided to come to AUA as it offered me a To create more opportunities for its faculty, students and staff, change. Armenia was a AUA expanded its cooperation beyond US Higher Educational country which I had never Institutions and established partnership with European heard of and it looked very nice and special. universities through Erasmus+ and Linnaeus Palme mobility Another reason was the projects. Among other partnerships, cooperation with variety of courses offered Audencia Business School provided excellent opportunity for by AUA, English and Communications Program. These classes are amazing both content-wise and cross-cultural learning and exchange of best practices. Below discipline-wise. Moreover, due to the system, it is are some reflections by faculty and students. very easy to reach the faculty outside the class session hours. This makes the study very easy. The main difficulty I encountered when I arrived “It was a pleasure to teach HR Essentials to a group of was the language outside the campus. Everyone young, enthusiastic and motivated students at Audencia speaks either Armenian or Russian, and I speak Business School, Nantes. The class was comprised of students neither. But eventually I managed to overcome this representing Europe, Asia and the United States. It was a very barrier. And I have learned some Armenian words. I dynamic group – quite fulfilling for me to manage all of that am taking back to Audencia another look with me, diversity in a teaching setting.” another look of me and of the world in general.” Mane Beglaryan Gildas Fleureau Lecturer, Manoogian College of Business & Economics, AUA Audencia Business School

“I realize that my expectations were “Everything was so interesting and intensive from merely an oversimplification of what the first day: international environment, different I actually experienced. Immersing cultures, and more. These type of programs are myself in French culture and lifestyle not just about gaining new professional skills has opened a well of new perspectives but also evolving as a person, going beyond the and outlooks on life. Be it the dinners boundaries of perceptions and what we think with my host family, tasting the best we know. Audencia gave us an opportunity to of French cuisine coupled with long observe everything from a practical point of conversations, or late night walks view and be prepared for the real job market. through the small streets of Nantes, here, I discovered the The most important takeaway from this program French “art de vivre” or the art of living. I learned to be bold for me would be completely new way of thinking and open to novelty.” and if course plethora of professional advantages created during my studies here.”

Ani Keshishian Lilit Ohanian BAB Student, AUA MBA Student, AUA

INTERNATIONAL CREDIT MOBILITY organized by the relevant FROM THE STUDENTS' POINT OF VIEW departments of the University which raise the awareness of Seventy-five students from Vanadzor State University after H. Tumanyan mobility opportunities, experiences, (VSU) have already had the opportunity to study in a number of EU and challenges both among the universities in Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden. Sixty-seven University students and staff. In students among them have completed or are still accomplishing their the framework of these periodic mobility programs within the scope of the Erasmus+ International Credit discussion-meetings, the mobility Mobility (ICM) Program and eight Masters students have studied in Poland students who have successfully under the umbrella of the Master’s Double Degree Program in the scope of accomplished their mobility periods the bilateral agreement between VSU and Adam Mickiewicz University in at various EU universities, make Poznan, Poland. short presentations addressing issues related to their experiences For the purpose of the organization informational meetings, workshops before, during and after their of a maximally optimal mobility, and seminars are periodically mobility.

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 6 The majority of the mobility by means of shared experience. between the course catalogues students consider mobility an Fostering individual research and the curricula of the sending overall positive experience. “The through developing strong and receiving institutions. mobility program is a once- research skills among the students In order to prevent the recurrence in-a-lifetime opportunity to of VSU is a priority objective, and of these and other problems, the combine quality education with sharing the experience of mobility students suggest creating former a more challenging life, and to students is contributing towards and aspiring mobility student become more self-confident and this. All the students mention the networks for the exchange of motivated”, states Erik Dallakyan, acquisition of new friends and experience and distribution of a former mobility student from travel experience as an added necessary information. VSU. The mobility experience value to their mobility studies. Not withstanding the fact that the fosters the students’ personal Almost all the students mention mobility process implies but is not and professional growth by that they have not experienced limited to the mentioned problems, allowing them to change their culture shock upon their arrival, the benefits significantly surpass habitual cultural environment and although there have been the drawbacks. “Within a day, I and educational setting. The insignificant issues in terms of traveled over 4549 kilometers to additional benefits from these their stay in the host country, the find the miracle of the streets of changes may be evidenced by students consider those issues Porto, to get education within the fact that on termination of “normal and natural, and learn the walls of FLUP (Faculdade De their mobility periods abroad survival skills by overcoming them”. Letras Universidade Do Porto), to students gain experience in living However, since the overall process make the coolest friends at the alone in a new country, dealing of mobility organization and workshops and ESN (Erasmus with various issues of lodging, implementation is a complicated Student Network) trips, to have a communication, education, and and manifold experience involving new family under the same roof, to financial management in everyday different aspects, it is practically gain lifelong memories, to come as life. By studying at various impossible to avoid all problems one but to stand as a whole nation”, European higher education and issues. Among the most says Lusine Manukyan, a former institutions (HEIs), students learn common challenges that the Erasmus+ student at the University new approaches, methods, and students had to deal with in terms of Porto. Lusine and her Erasmus+ means of teaching and learning, of the organizational process of program friends consider student which contribute not only to their mobility was the preparation mobility an invaluable chance of their professional growth, but of all the necessary documents. development and growth in case also to the replenishment of Some students had to face of being open to completely new the ethodological basis at VSU such problems as discrepancies approaches to life and education.

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 7 SHIRAK STATE UNIVERSITY: PROMOTING THE UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONALLY

The BOOST project team from Shirak State University after The promotional video is available in both M. Nalbandyan (ShSU) initiated the creation of a university English and Armenian. promotional video to raise awareness of the University located in the culturally rich city of in Armenia. Marketing shsu.am/information-materials-brochures- and promotion of higher education institutions are still an videos/ - Armenian version important area for improvement in Armenia. To strengthen the efforts to publicize its programs, the BOOST project team shsu.am/information-materials-brochures- produced a short video about ShSU. For this purpose a group of videos-en/ - English version young people, including two from abroad, drafted the plan of the video together with the ShSU team. In addition to showing the University’s facilities/programs and active student life, effort was made to also show the historical city We hope it will attract potential international students to consider mobility opportunities with ShSU, to experience Armenian culture and traditions while in Gyumri.

PROJECT PARTNERS

ARMENIAN PARTNERS • RA Ministry of Education and Science (RA MoES) • Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovian (ASPU) • American University of Armenia (AUA) UNESCO Chair of Higher Education Management • Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas (YSC) • Shirak State University after Mikayel Nalbandyan (ShSU) • Vanadzor State University after Hovhannes Toumanyan (VSU) • National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility (ArmEnic)

EU PARTNERS • Universitat Politecnica De Catalunya(UPC), Spain • Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Portugal • Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Spain • Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden • Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia

Boost Project | Newsletter ISSUE 01 April 2018 8