Where would higher education be without Erasmus? Infodag Erasmus Brugge, 19 February 2009 Patricia De Smet Unit Higher Education; « Erasmus » European Commission

2  Environment of trust and cooperation  Lasting major impact: –on the individuals involved –at institutional level –at policy level Erasmus – a European Success Story (I)

Europe could do better  Curricula are not up to date  Higher education is fragmented, over- regulated and under-funded  Not enough young people in higher education  Not enough adults in lifelong learning

Policy priorities in Higher Education the modernisation agenda for universities new skills for new jobs ….. to support the Lisbon Strategy and the Bologna process ERASMUS studies and papers

The modernisation agenda for universities  Curricular reform: the three cycle system, competence based learning, flexible learning paths, recognition.  Governance reform: autonomy, strategic partnerships, cooperation with enterprises, quality assurance.  Funding reform: diversified income, promoting equity, access and efficiency, role of tuition fees, grants and loans.

New skills for new jobs  What jobs will be available in about 10 years ?  Is the training provided now useful to find a job tomorrow ?  Are skills needs and jobs changing all over the EU ?

7 Erasmus – a European Success Story (II) 2007/08: ~ students (studies) ~ students (placements)  HEIs and still expanding – 31 countries and more  Erasmus students per year and still increasing  At the end of 2008: in total 2 million students (over 21 years)  By 2012: in total 3 million students!

Impact at individual level  Upgrading skills  Promoting European citizenship  Stimulating self reliance  Enhancing employability

Impact of the Erasmus Programme Recent studies found that the programme has had a high degree of influence on the quality, internationalisation and modernisation of higher education at individual, institutional and system/policy levels.

Impact at institutional level  introduction of international offices and support services  new teaching methods and exchange of good practices  modernisation and internationalisation of curricula  transparency and transferability of qualifications  active participation in international research projects  University-Enterprise cooperation  high impact on the professionalization of the management of higher education institutions.

Impact at system level: no Bologna without Erasmus  Mobility (need for convergence and recognition)  Quality (ENQA, EQAR, Qrossroads)  Recognition (ECTS and DS)  Joint Degrees (CD, EM)

Impact at system level: Influence on HE national policy

13 Further information ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus