58 Mutual academic recognition

THE T HREE UNIVERSITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT

Roskilde University

Facts and figures about education at Roskilde University Roskilde University is a state university, founded in 1972, with the objective of providing research and education at the highest level. These activities at Roskilde University are organised in ten departments; de- grees are offered in a wide range of subjects at Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. level. Roskilde University is the daily place of work for around 7000 stu- dents, 500 teachers and 230 technical/administrative staff in the 40 buildings, which comprise the campus. The University is situated about 30 kilometres west of Copenhagen, the Danish capital. In its short history, Roskilde University has in many ways broken with traditional educational thinking and practice in Denmark. The basic teaching principles at Roskilde University are: Inter-disciplinarily and problem-orientation, project work, group work and a close con- nection between research and teaching. Inter-disciplinarily and problem-orientation: The traditional division of study into narrow academic disciplines has been replaced by an inter-disciplinary approach to the identification and solving of prob- lems. As in the university’s research, students are encouraged to dem- onstrate the relevance of different theoretical perspectives to their cho- sen subject. Project work: Students are trained to organise and write major project reports based on the results they have obtained during their research and analysis. Group work: Group work is the basic form of study throughout the whole programme. Through group work, students learn the meaning of co-operation and responsibility. Close connection between research and teaching: Research staff is assigned as tutors to the project groups. The teacher interacts with the group as advisor and discussion partner. Roskilde University 59 Study structure The total duration of a course of study at Roskilde University is three to eight years, depending on the degree chosen. All degree programmes begin with a two-year general Basic Studies Programme in the Hu- manities, the Natural Sciences or the Social Sciences. Specialised de- gree programmes follow the two-year Basic Studies Programme. The degrees offered can be grouped in four main categories: Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees combining two subjects (5 – 5 1/2 years), Master’s degrees in a single subject (5 – 5 1/2 years) and PhD degrees (8 years). The Bachelor degree (B.A., B.Sc.) consists of a two year Basic Studies Programme followed by a one-year specialised degree programme. A combination degree (M.A., M.Sc.) is composed of two subjects selected from those presently offered at Roskilde University (see box). The fulfilment of particular requirements in certain combinations can lead to a degree with a special focus. For example, a selective study programme with the combination of Danish and Business Economics or Business Studies leads to a degree in Public Relations. In contrast to the combination degrees, only one subject is studied in the so-called single subject Master’s degrees. These are the specialised degrees established in Public Administration and Socio-Technological Planning. Finally, within the framework of the Open University Act, Roskilde University provides opportunities for distance education in the Basic Studies Programme for the Humanities, History & Danish, Math- ematics, Psychology, Adult Education, Philosophy of Science, Tourist Guidance, Master of Multimedia Arts and Master of Public Policy.

Internationalisation The swift growth in international co-operation on education and re- search of the last decade has made itself clearly felt at Roskilde Uni- versity. Researchers and especially students from abroad are very much part of everyday life at the university. Discussions are increasingly dominated by the exchange of opinion among people from widely different academic backgrounds and cultures. This development is the 60 The Three Universities participating in the project result of a concentrated, conscious effort to make Roskilde University a place where both the environment and the study programmes them- selves have a solid, high-quality international content. The international influence is, if anything, stronger, on the teaching side. Roskilde University is an active participant in many co-operation schemes with universities in many countries both inside and outside Europe. There is an international orientation in the study programmes: in particular there are whole degree courses with an international ori- entation (International Development Studies, International Cultural Studies etc.). Teaching is provided through the medium of the major European languages (mainly English) throughout the whole course of study in the Humanities and the Social Sciences. Finally, internationalisation is manifested in the great work of creating and maintaining a strong, varied international environment in the every- day life of the university, which provides both the university’s own students and international students with the possibility of developing academically. Developing the international profile of the University In recent years educational internationalisation has to a high degree been developed through centrally initiated programmes such as SOCRATES/ERASMUS, LINGUA and TEMPUS under the aus- pices of the European Union, and in connection with this, NORDPLUS and NORDLYS, launched by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The EU SOCRATES/ERASMUS programme has in particular been important for the character and content of the internationalisation process. Roskilde University is making great efforts to extend the ECTS system to include the greater part of the university’s programmes of study. This makes it easier for foreign students to comprehend the lines of education available at the university and what they contain. In addition the university plans to extend the number of English language modules and to commence co-operation with more universities. Internationalisation is, naturally, not the same as Europeanisation. Nordic co-operation, co-operation in Eastern Europe and more in- tense efforts to establish permanent agreements in North America and Asia play a steadily increasing role. Roskilde University 61 Due to its efforts in the international field, today Roskilde University is the university in Denmark with most international educational ac- tivities in relation to its size. Thus the university has secured for itself a position of being a special university with a firm regional foundation and an international orientation – which in fact summarises its ambi- tion and aims. Participation in the projects with the Universities from Central and Eastern Europe From the very beginning of changes that started in 90-ies Roskilde University took and an active part in co-operation with the Universi- ties in the Central and Eastern Europe and helped them in develop- ment of educational and research programs that strengthened their position in the new economical, social and political environment. The efforts of Roskilde University were recognised by many interna- tional as well as national funds. Tempus, Tempus Tacis, Tempus Phare programmes, as well as other EU, World Bank and Danish funds for the development of Eastern Europe financed numerous projects and initiatives. To name but a few: development of education and research programs in Environmental Science in Poland (Gdansk Uni- versity), Latvia (Riga University) and Lithuania (Kaunas University of Technology), development of the program for training of Bank em- ployees in Lithuania (Kaunas, Vytautas Magnus University), develop- ment of Internationally recognised Executive Master in Business Ad- ministration program in Kaunas (Kaunas University of Technology and Vytautas Magnus University), development of program for retrain- ing of civil servants in Kaunas and Klaipeda counties (Vytautas Magnus University and Klaipeda University). Roskilde University has also successfully co-ordinated and implemented several research and educational projects in the Russian Federation. One of the examples is Tempus Tacis Mobility Joint European Project “Mobility and Recognition if Financial Studies”. The objective of this project has been development of curricula recognition between RUC and University of Nizhni Novgorod (Russia). Through the project RUC acquainted a great experience on high education system in Rus- sia, possible ways for curricula development, upgrading and official approval. Several courses in Finances were also developed within the 62 The Three Universities participating in the project project. Through other projects, e.g. Tempus Tacis project “Statistics for Regional Needs: Structures and Programs”, RUC contributed fur- ther to the development of education programs that were answering regional needs and supported qualitative upgrade of skills in the local administration. The logical consequence of work in Nizhni Novgorod region was development of ambitious Institutional Building project under the name “Democratic Mechanism for Agricultural Develop- ment”. With this project RUC, in co-operation with Nizhni Novgorod University, Local Administration and other actors, is contributing to further development of Civic Society and Institutions supporting demo- cratic development in Russian Federation. Roskilde University is also acting as contractor and co-ordinator in the EuroFaculty, Kaliningrad initiative project (Economics). This project is financed by Council of Baltic Sea States. To conclude, RUC’s engagement in the various educational projects in Eastern Europe in general and in the Russian Federation in particular was a good basis for the dissemination of the results of the present Mobility project and further use of them in the broader perspective. Project co-ordinator and contractor at Roskilde University for Mobility Joint European project: Prof. Poul Wolffsen Roskilde University Centre P.O.Box 260 Hus 24.2 DK – 4000 Roskilde Denmark E-mail: [email protected] For updated information about RUC please visit our homepage www.ruc.dk

University of Nizhni Novgorod The University of Nizhni Novgorod was inaugurated on January 17, 1916 as one of Russia’s three People’s universities. In 1918 it acquired the status of a state university. Today the University of Nizhni Novgorod (UNN) is one of leading institutions of higher education in Russia. University of Nizhni Novgorod 63 UNN has traditionally carried out its training programs on the basis of research. The University makes part of the training and research cen- tre comprising UNN and Russian Academy of Sciences institutes. UNN has branches of its departments in all research institutes of the RAS and many research institutions of Nizhni Novgorod. – In official national ratings UNN is among the top ten Russian universities. – Total enrolment is over 19 000 students and about 1000 postgradu- ates. –Diploma Specialist programs (5 years) are offered in 43 specialities. Bachelor’s programs (4 years) are taught in 21 areas. There are 60 Master’s programs (6 years). – UNN has Ph.D. programs in 47 specialities and D.Sc. programs in 17 specialities. – The University has 17 dissertation councils, including 10 Doctoral, that have the right to confer the Doctor of Sciences degree (D.Sc.) in 23 specialities and Candidate of Sciences degree in 35 speciali- ties. – The training of the Masters, Bachelors and specialists is carried out at the University on the basis of a close integration of education and research – Over 70% of teaching staff members possess scientific degrees of Candidate of Sciences (Ph.D.) and D.Sc. The staff of the University includes: – 255 doctors of sciences (D.Sc.) , professors; – 823 candidates of sciences (Ph.D.), associate professors; – 15 active and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS); – 13 active and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (RANS); – 55 active and corresponding members of other Russian and inter- national academies; – 23 merited workers of science and engineering; – 27 winners of State Prizes; – 40 winners of Nizhni Novgorod Prizes; – 3 winners of the Russian Federation President’s Prize in the field in the field of education; – 52 honoured workers of higher professional education. 64 The Three Universities participating in the project UNN comprises: – 16 faculties, 116 departments – 5 research institutes: Physics and Technology, Chemistry, Me- chanics, Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics, Strategic Research. – Research division, science and technology park – University library with approx. 2 million volumes – Botanical garden and biological research station. – Upper Volga Branch of the Russian centre for education in hu- manities – Teaching staff development faculty – Regional Centre on the problems of auditing – Inter-university Centre for the development of conceptual founda- tions and the contents of education in humanities – Nizhni Novgorod Centre for informatization of higher education – Regional Centre for new information technologies – Centre for supplementary professional training – Preparatory faculty – “Obrazovaniye” Centre – Regional information centre for international scientific and tech- nological co-operation (the Consulting Bureau) – International Centre for Studies in Public Economics – University INTERNET Centre – Dealing Centre – University museum – University Press and printing house Training programs are offered at UNN in the following areas: – Biology – Biophysics – Ecology – Chemistry – Chemical technology and biotechnology – Political science – History – Culturology – International relations – Regional studies – Museum studies – Radiophysics University of Nizhni Novgorod 65 – Physics – Electronics and microelectronics – Mathematics – Mechanics – Applied Mathematics – Economics – Management – Marketing – Accounting – Finance and credit – Commerce –Law – Sociology – Social Work – Philosophy – Psychology – Journalism – Philology – Physical culture and sports Priority areas of research at the University of Nizhni Novgorod – Mathematics and applied mathematics – Radiophysics and electronics. Plasma physics. High-temperature superconductivity – Physics of solids. Physical materials science – Physical chemistry and technology of high purity substances of promising materials and processes in electronic and microelec- tronic engineering. Analytical chemistry – Chemistry of organoelemental compounds and polymers – Mechanics of deformable solids – Informatics. New information technologies – Processes of regulation and control in biological systems. Ecology – Problems of development and functioning of the Russian language. Laws of development of the world literature – General concepts of universal and Russian history. Sociology. Po- litical science – Economic and social problems of development of market relations 66 The Three Universities participating in the project International relations University of Nizhni Novgorod is a recognised node in the interna- tional university network. It is represented in the Deans European Academic Network by Dr. Groudzinski who is a member of its Executive Committee. UNN has direct contractual relations with the following universities and academic institutions: – Taylor University (USA) – Villanova University (USA) – Maryland University (USA) – University of Calabria (Italy) – Bocconi University (Italy) – Princeton University (USA) – University of New York (USA) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) – Pierre Mendes France University (France) – Stendhal University (France) – University Paris-8 (France) – University of Passau (Germany) – University of Essen (Germany) – Roskilde University (Denmark) – Institute for Experimental and Applied Physics in Regensburg (Ger- many) – Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (USA and Canada), etc. UNN jointly with other European universities making part of appro- priate consortia has completed and continues to implement a number of projects under the TEMPUS-Tacis program: in the field of public economics (T_JEP-08536-94), European and international law (T_JEP- 10325-97) and (JEP-22196-2001), mutual recognition of education in financial institutions (M_JEP-10461-98), statistics for regional needs (T_JEP-10767-99), institutional building in agriculture (IB_JEP- 21100-2000) and university management (UM_JEP-22240-2001). A project in modernisation of food industry by means of technology transfer between EU, Lithuania and Russia in the framework of Inco- Copernicus program (IC15-CT98 1005) is also underway. University of Nizhni Novgorod 67 Jointly with the Nizhni Novgorod Linguistic University and two French universities in Grenoble, UNN participates in a major international educational project, the Russian-French University, under which law- yers and economists with the knowledge of two foreign languages (En- glish and French) are being trained. The graduates of the program receive two Russian state diplomas: lawyer and interpreter or econo- mist and interpreter. The project supported by the French Foreign Ministry also offers Russian students an opportunity to benefit from study periods at French universities. UNN together with the University of Essen is implementing an educa- tional project in the field of social sciences (in the framework of co- operation with DAAD). Since 1994, the Russian Studies Program has been underway, offering semester-long courses in Russian language, culture and history to US and Canadian students. The Business and Society in Russia summer program has been another successful initia- tive. In the framework of international programs, a number of centres have been set up at UNN, including International centre for studies in public economics, International centre for financial education, Educa- tional centre for international and European law, Council of Europe Centre for Human rights, Regional information centre for interna- tional scientific co-operation (European Commission’s contact point), Centre for peace studies and conflict resolution registered by UNESCO as a non-government analytical organisation carrying out educational and research programs of peace-making origin. Another important initiative implemented by UNN with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education jointly with Civilian Research and Development Foundation (USA) is the pilot project “Research and education centre for scanning probe microscopy”.

Information resources The Centre for information and library services was opened in 1995. It includes: – Information Centre, comprising the Federal node of the RUNNET communications network, the regional node of the UNICOM aca- 68 The Three Universities participating in the project demic network, and RbNet network support point having direct access to the Internet. The Centre supports the operation of the educational segment of the telecommunications network of Nizhni Novgorod and supports a number of well-known WWW-servers that describe the region’s educational resources – The University Internet centre offering open access to the Internet – The University library with about 2 million volumes and 8 specialised reading halls. The library is the methodical centre for 23 university libraries of the Volga-Vyatka region. Electronic documents collec- tion is rapidly increasing – University press – Printing house Contact person at the University of Nizhni Novgorod for Mobility Joint European project: First Vice-rector Prof. Roman G. Strongin University of Nizhni Novgorod 603950, 23 Gagarin Avenue, Nizhni Novgorod, Russia Tel.(+7 8312) 65-77-43 Fax (+7 8312) 65-85-92 E-mail: [email protected] Internet page: http://www.unn.ac.ru/

UNICAL The University of Calabria, situated in Southern Italy, is a public institution initiated in 1972. Even though the idea of a University in Calabria dates back to the fifties, almost twenty years elapsed before the idea became a reality with a Parliamentary law in 1968. In that year the University founding charter was granted, while its statutes were passed in 1971. The construction of the University campus started in 1972 and since then a continuous and visible expansion of new buildings on the campus has been taking place. Its particular architecture is due to the co-operation between two architects: the Italian Gregotti and the Dan- ish Martensson. Unical is a medium size Italian university with about 27,000 students. The University annual budget is 40 million Euro, and land, buildings UNICAL 69 and equipment are worth far more than 400 million Euro. The Uni- versity is located in a green area situated at the outskirts of the city of Cosenza-Rende. The University of Calabria has six Faculties (Arts, Economics, Engi- neering, Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Political Sciences), and offers thirty-three degree courses, and many diplomas. The teaching staff is composed of more than 500 persons – including full professors, associate professors and assistant professors – while the administrative staff amounts to more than 700 persons. According to the annual Italian “Censis-La Repubblica” survey, based on five parameters (productivity, teaching, scientific research, partner- ship with foreign universities, staff profile), the University of Calabria has been evaluated for the last three years amongst the top ten out of the fifty-eight Italian public Universities. Meanwhile, for the quality of facilities offered (libraries, students accommodation, sports, etc.) it is classified as the first out of the same fifty-eight Italian public Universi- ties. This University is the only example of a residential University campus in Italy. For what concerns the University campus, its management and services, it is important to mention the Centro Residenziale, which provides accommodation and leisure facilities for students. In the resi- dential area the Sports Centre, the Health Centre, and the Centre for Arts, Music and Performance are also located. Moreover there are a Centre for Radio and Television, the University Press, the Language Centre and several other interdepartmental centres. The University library system is located in a new modern furnished building that on a 20.000 metres square area hosts three different libraries, that present more than 400.000 open stack holdings, and offer 900 seats and 150 computers for local patrons. The three libraries installed in the new library building are the Arts and Humanities Area Library (BAU), the Interdepartmental Library in Economics and So- cial Sciences (Tarantelli), and the Tecno-Scientific Area Library (BATS). Ever since its institution the University of Calabria was conceived as international standard University. The University has more than sev- 70 The Three Universities participating in the project enty University and high research institutions partners in all European countries, in USA, Canada, Japan and South America. These partner- ships involve exchange of Faculty staff and students, development of international research contracts, and joint scientific projects. Depart- ments do research at national level and in a number of sectors have achieved international standards, as the existence of a more than fifty post-graduate doctorate students proves. Much research is financially supported by organisations external to the University (i. e.: Italian Ministry of Universities and Scientific Re- search, European Commission research programmes, private firms). Unical provides scientific backup for many projects in the Calabria Region. Contact person at University of Calabria for Mobility Joint European project: Prof. Davide Infante Department of Economics and Statistics University of Calabria Campus di Arcavacata 87036 Arcavacata di Rende – Italy E-mail: [email protected] For updated information about UNICAL please visit our homepage: http://home.unical.it/