SOCRATES/ERASMUS INTENSIVE PROGRAMMES (IP) Pirkanmaa Polytechnic University of Applied Sciences Business School, Virrat Presented by Pirkko Varis Head of Marketing Studies Coordinator for International Affairs

INTENSIVE PROGRAMMES l Pirkanmaa Polytechnic – University of Applied Sciences is a coordinator of 3 Socrates/Erasmus programmes and a partner in 5 Socrates/Erasmus programmes coordinated by other institutions in year IPs/year coordinated by Pirkanmaa Polytechnic – University of Applied Sciences

IP PROGRAMMES BUSINESS SCHOOL VIRRAT l INTERNET MARKETING, IT MANAGEMENT FOR ENTERPRISES AND E-BUSINESS n in the spring 2005 and 2006 n participants from 14 partner institutions, representing 10 countries l MANAGEMENT OF E-BUSINESS, INTERNET & IT IN MARKETING OPERATIONS n in the spring 2002, 2003 and 2004 n participants from 13 partner institutions, representing 9 countries

Objectives To give students the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural groups to solve real-life problems of SMEs Business, Marketing and IT students and staff members meet with each other, work together and create new ideas Latest knowledge on development in this field to students To learn the subject in a different way Integrated part of the curriculum in institutions (for example 3-5 ECTS credits) part of internationalisation strategy and European Policy Statement of institutions – a real opportunity

Activities Presentations on the topic by  Experts  Student groups  Workshop presentations Workshops Company visits Other activities related to the IP

Participation participants, of which more than 60 from abroad Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary Dennis Gabor College, Budapest, Hungary FHTW Berlin, Germany FH Dortmund, Germany FH Nordhausen, Germany International Business School at Vilnius University, Lithuania Kaunas University of Technology (from 2003-)

IPAG Business School, Nice, France (2002 and from 2004) IMC FH KREMS, Austria (from 2003-) IT Tralee, Ireland T.E.I. of Larissa, Greece Hogeschool Windesheim, University of Professional Education, Zwolle, the Netherlands University of Salford, UK

Advantages l Students move and work together, not just staff members l Students learn to work and solve real-life problems in multicultural and multidisciplinary groups l IT, Business and Marketing people representing many cultures work together – as a result new ideas and understanding of other way of thinking l In workshops very good results can be achieved l Staff and student meetings - as a result you can have ideas for new projects, you can share good practice, it is easier to co- operate in the future l It is possible to plan workshops with companies l Student presentations in front of an international audience – a good practice for working life

Problems to be solved – and possibilities Amendments in practical arrangements usually 1 month - 1 week prior to the IP – the need for flexibility SMEs react slowly, although commitment is there Cultural misunderstandings possible– a part of this kind of an IP Difficulties to receive invoices and receipts Financial and other resources  Ttravel, accommodation and subsistence costs, other costs  There is a need to market in the institutions the usefulness of this kind of a real co-operation in curriculum development

Resources – personnel  workload of the co-ordinator  partner contribution – full academic and other commitment is needed  academic content is the core of the IP – the knowledge of partners and their expertise is essential  development of staff members  personal commitment  atmosphere is important

PROCESS - PREPARATION l Innovative idea l Decision on the coordinator and partners l Commitment and motivation l Contribution and responsibilities of partners l Workload, resources l Workplan and schedule

l Beneficiaries l Outcomes l Rules and instructions of the programme l Letter of intent l IP application

Questions: l Whose goals? l Why the IP? l What do we gain through the IP? l Is the IP part of the curriculum? l Is there additional value? l Is the IP an integral part of EPS?

PROCESS - APPROVAL 1. Contact with the partners after the approval of the application All information, including financial information l Confirmation of the schedule l Expense estimation l Meetings, if organised

2. Contact with the partners 3-4 months before the implementation Practical issues concerning the implementation and responsibilities, detailed schedule

PROCESS - IMPLEMENTATION Practical arrangements l Contact with partners, companies and other organisations l Workshop details and contribution l Payments, receipts and documentation l Use of money: if any changes, ask for permission from the EU Commission l Last minute partner changes: reasons in writing, contact the EU Commission!

Evaluation and academic acknowledgement of the IP l Reports l ECTS credits l Other methods Dissemination

Conclusion l the need for the IP in terms of curriculum development and objectives l the commitment l resources l partner selection l communication, intercultural communication