Trainings & Courses

CASCADE TRAININGS AT ASIAN PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

After the conclusion of the Trainings carried out during WP2 (internationalization strategies), WP3 (International projects Design and Management), WP4 (Mobility Flows Management) Asian partners institutions organized cascade trainings addressed to their faculties and staff involved in the international activities.

Given the impossibility to organize face to face events, due to the Covid-19, all the institutions conducted the cascade training online, by using Zoom Platform.

The aim of the events was to share the experience acquired attending the trainings at EU Partner Universities, show the results achieved by the project so far, and discuss about how this experience can be applied to their specific needs.

For more details on each cascade training and related materials please have a look at the dedicated boxes below.

WP3- Training on Project Design and Management

On March 10^th 2021, TOOLKIT Consortium met on Zoom Platform to attend the first session of WP3 Training on Project Design and Management delivered by UNIBO with the contribution of Mr. James Kennedy, TOOLKIT project advisor.

The training was divided in 3 didactic modules (2 days each) and has been carried out as follows:

I module: 10-17 March 2021

II module: 24-31 March 2021

III module: 28 April 5 May 2021

The event of March 10^th opened the first didactic module and started with the welcoming session of Ms. Giovanna Filippini (Project Coordinator) followed by the introduction of the session contents held by Filippo Sartor (UNIBO -TOOLKIT Coordination Team).

After an ice breaking poll on motivation and expectation of participants, the audience assisted to the presentation on Why external competitive funding or project opportunities may be relevant for universities?  by Filippo Sartor (UNIBO) who proposed a taxonomy for the classification of international projects in terms of donors, actions and budget. The presentation served as background information for the work to be implemented by the project’s Asian partners who, divided in groups, started to work on the classification of 2 projects they carried out in their institutions, following the taxonomy provided.

The event continued with the exposure by Mr. James Kennedy (TOOLKIT Project advisor) of the presentation: Main actors and donors to support university initiatives in Toolkit partner country region. Mr. Kennedy gave an interesting and punctual overview of the main actors and funding bodies operating in the region.

After a short break, participants assisted to Mr. Sartor (UNIBO) introduction on the Analysis of calls and external opportunities, giving hints on definitions, main documents, key information and features of a call. Participants have been asked to fill out a call fiche exercise considering the info provided by Mr. Sartor presentation. The task was then completed by all the participants as an assignment for the following week and served as the starting point of the second session of the module which took place on March 17^th.

The second session of TOOLKIT WP3 training was successfully conducted on March 17^th 2021 through Zoom platform. The session started with Mr. James Kennedy’s presentation focusing on how to identify and adopt criteria to evaluate the participation to project proposals. The first part of the session was concluded by an exercise: participants, divided in groups, have been asked to analyse two short project descriptions according to their own needs and to identify if these project proposals may fit with their organisation and if they could be improved adopting a more collaborative approach.

During the second part of the session, trainees assisted to the presentation held by Mr. Filippo Sartor Matching external and internal factors: from a project idea to actual first draft aimed at giving to the audience some theory and hints on the main aspect to take into account when drafting a concept note.

The session was concluded by leaving an assignment to all the participants: according to a set of calls for proposals offered each group prepared a first concept note of their own idea. At the same time, the groups discussed criteria to identify possible partners. Participants were left with the assignment of completing the concept note within a week.

The second module of TOOLKIT WP3 Training started on March 24^th 2021, on Zoom platform.

The session started with the presentation held by Mrs. Valentina Manzato (UNIBO TOOLKIT Coordination Team) who started the exposure of Techniques for project writing and design: The Logical Framework Matrix. After the presentation participants, divided in groups have been asked to fill in the first column of the Logical Framework Matrix based on the project idea they had drafted in the concept note prepared during the first training module.

After a short discussion on the outcomes of the exercise, Ms. Livia Mercatelli (UNIBO Coordination Team) guided the participants through the other part of the LFM focusing on Objectively Verifiable Indicators and their measurement. As an assignment for March 31^st session participants have been asked to fill in the first 3 columns of the LFM.

On March 31^st 2021 Toolkit consortium met on Zoom for the last session of WP3 II module online training. This time the day started with the presentations by Asian Partner Universities describing the work done in filling out the LFM. After each presentation participants discussed together about the proposed LFM giving feedback and suggestions. After a short break, the day continued with the presentation held by Ms. Valentina Manzato (UNIBO Coordination Team) Techniques for project writing and design focusing on the organization of the activities through work packages. Following the floor has been left to Ms. Livia Mercatelli (UNIBO Coordination Team) who presented: From theory to practice – The Narrative Part – Describing project activities. 

On April 28^th the third and last module of TOOLKIT WP3 Training started through Zoom platform. The first didactic module started with an opening session by Mrs. Romina Kniaz, which provided a brief introduction on the main topic of the day: The Main aspects of project management.

Before starting the main presentation, Mrs. Barbara Lilliu (TOOLKIT Project External Evaluator) gave a brief presentation of the Quality questionnaires results (on module 1 and module 2) and on how the feedback has been considered to organize the last module. The trainee’s satisfaction was overall positive: according to the participants the training objectives were clear, the course contents were illustrated with good examples, providing new knowledge and practices. Participants confirmed that through the working program they were able to build several new skills, such as managing calls and funding opportunities, writing CNs, dealing with decision making process, project management, how to build a partnership and many more.

The event then proceeded with Mrs. Kniaz presentation on Project management, which was structured in two parts: the first one focusing on the Main aspects of project management, and the second one on Project management challenges. Specific case studies of risk management were presented, and the participants were involved through the use of polls in an active debate on how to deal with real-life scenarios.

After a short break, the floor was taken by Mrs. Sara Fiorentino and Mrs. Tania Chinni, from the Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna. Mrs. Fiorentino and Mrs. Chinni presented to the trainees their direct experience on Sustainability of the project’s results with reference to the international projects ROCHEMP and REACH.

The day was concluded with a daily recap by Mrs. Kniaz and participants agreed to meet again for the last session of the training the following week.

The last session of the WP3 Training was successfully conducted through Zoom platform on May 5th. Mrs. Giovanna Filippini (UNIBO Project Coordinator) held the welcoming followed by the opening session of Mrs. Romina Kniaz. The floor was given to the Asian Partner Universities who presented the analysis of real challenges they encountered in the management of international projects and the solutions taken to overcome them.

After a short break, other risk managements experiences were provided by different Departments of the University of Bologna: Mrs. Paola di Marzo (Department of Industrial Engineering UNIBO) presented the challenges encountered in dealing with the equipment purchase and tendering procedure in the framework of RADIUM Project , Mrs. Romina Kniaz (UNIBO International Relations Divisions) presented the challenges faced with B- International, an E+ CBHE Project coordinated by Cardiff Metropolitan University  and finally Mrs. Sara Fiorentino and Mrs. Tania Chinni (Department of Cultural Heritage, UNIBO) discussed the problems encountered in managing REACH and ROCHEMP projects and how they have been solved. Finally, at the end the session, daily and final remarks were given on the module and the training was successfully concluded.

Please have a look at the box below for training materials.

WP4 Training - Effective mobility flows management in Asian Universities (Online training, September 28th -  October 1st 2020)

TOOLKIT Consortium participated in the first Project’s online training from September 28^th until October 1^st. The training has been organized by Uppsala University (WP leader) in the framework of WP4 “Effective mobility flows management in Asian Universities”. The event was originally planned to take place in person at Uppsala University, Sweden, in May 2020, but due to the pandemic outbreak and related travel restrictions, the Consortium has been forced to reschedule it in terms of both period and modality. In spite of the difficult situation, thanks to the good spirit of collaboration among partners, the training has been successfully conducted online. During the first 3 days of training, participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with how Uppsala University manages international mobility flows focusing on the organization, practices and offered services. The training started with the presentation of Mr. Matt Greig (Head of the Unit for International Mobility at Division for Internationalization, Uppsala University), who gave and overview of the day-to-day operations at Unit for international mobility.  His presentation mainly focused on strategies and management of mobility programs, MoUs and Student Exchange Agreements (SEAs), Courses taught in English, MoveON (database used by UU to manage international mobility) Incoming and Outgoing exchange students, promotion activities. The first day was concluded with the presentation held by Ms. Karen Tapper (UU Graduation Office) focusing on recognition of studies/credit transfer.

The second day started with a first session on Strategies and Management of international programmes, held by Mr. Gustaf Cars (Head of Unit for global partnerships, Division for Internationalization, UU). Mr. Cars presentation was followed by the section dedicated to inbound and outbound mobility quality tools and services illustrated by the UU staff of the Unit for International Mobility, Division for Internationalization.  Ms. Sara Hurtig session was dedicated to the services provided by UU for outbound mobility, while Ms. Jenny McKeever and Ms. Lina Solander gave an overview of the tools and services dedicated to inbound mobility. During the last part of the day Mr. Philipp Baur (Unit for global partnerships at Division for Internationalization, UU) took the floor introducing the case of International Virtual Classroom of project LISTO giving an interesting perspective on virtual exchange and mobility.

On the third day participants assisted to a presentation held by Mr. McDermott Darren, member of the EU-SHARE project, who presented the project, its objectives and the results achieved so far, mainly focusing on how Asian Countries can benefit from it. After this last session of presentations, the Consortium started to work in groups in order to put the basis for WP4 deliverable: TOOLKIT Handbook for International Mobility Management. The practical work of focus groups started with a brainstorming session during which all the 3 groups together started to discuss on what should the strategic priorities be and what should be included in the handbook. After this brainstorming session, FGs started drafting the chapters of the Handbook and the contents of each section.

On the last day of the training, Asian Partners presented the FGs work, exposing the drafts of the Handbook chapters collecting feedbacks and suggestions from all the participants. After this session, the audience assisted to the presentation held by Marta Cocos (Unit of Global Partnerships, UU) wrapping up the work done during the training days and setting up deadlines and division of tasks for the implementation of TOOLIT Handbook. The training was concluded with a final wrap up and closing remarks by Lucia Ippolito (UNIBO Coordination Team).

Training materials available in the box below and at the TOOLKIT training days’ website.

Networking Workshop: Collaboration between the IROs of universities in Yangon (University of Yangon Research Centre, January 11^th, 2020)

During the afternoon of January 11^th TOOLKIT MM Partners and the representatives of the Universities in Yangon who took part in the morning conference (see conferences for more details) attended a workshop moderated by Mr James Kennedy (Toolkit Project Advisor). The aim of the workshop was to set up a discussion on how the IROs of Universities in Yangon can collaborate to develop international partnerships and projects with the aim of sharing resources, increasing impact and reducing costs. Mr Kennedy introduced the workshop activities starting from the challenges and needs highlighted in the morning during the presentation of the TOOLKIT report asking the representatives of the different Universities to think about possible ways to collaborate in order to overcome them. From this starting point, 6 possible areas of collaboration have been listed. Participants divided in working groups, have been asked to look at the six areas of collaboration, and to:

• Consider the advantages and benefits of collaborating in this way.
• Consider the disadvantages, costs and challenges.
• Rank the six areas in order of importance and feasibility.

 After the discussion, each working group presented to the audience their recommendations on how to set effective collaborations (available in the box on the right). This occasion represented a great opportunity to disseminate Toolkit Project’s activities and aims to the other universities in Yangon and to start laying the foundations to have an impact on the HEIs of the whole Country.

See the box on below for the workshop materials.

WP2 Training - International Strategies, Vilnius University 7-11 October 2019

From October 7^th till October 11^th, Vilnius University hosted the TOOLKIT Consortium to deliver the first training of the Project on International Relation Strategies.

On the first day, the TOOLKIT Consortium has been welcomed by Dr. Valdas Jaskunas, Vice- Rector for studies at Vilnius University. The day continued with the introduction of the training activities, followed by a general presentation of Vilnius University, hosting the training activity. During the second part of the morning, participants assisted to presentations from EU partners illustrating their internationalization strategies and had the opportunity to learn about different approaches. The first presentation, held by Ausrine Jurgelionute (Community Development Office VU), dealt with VU International Strategies, followed by an overview on International strategies at Uppsala University, presented by Ulrica Ouline. The last presentation, held by Lucia Ippolito (TOOLKIT Coordination Team), illustrated the international strategies of the University of Bologna. After practical information on the activities foreseen for the training week, the day ended with a guided tour of Vilnius University old campus.

Starting from the second day, the activities have been planned focusing on the main needs and priorities related to the internationalization strategies of the HEIs of the three Asian Countries part of the Consortium, which emerged from the analysis done during WP1 and included in the first Report. During the first part of the morning, Partners from Vilnius University exposed approaches and possible issues related to Internationalization at home introduced by Mr. Julius Pukelis (VU), who presented how Vilnius University deals with the involvement in the international strategy of the academic and non-academic community. Later, Skirmante Savickaite (VU) gave some hints on possible language issues and how to overcome them. Finally, Rita Vienazindiené (VU), concluded the introductive part, holding a presentation on academic issues and their management. The second part of the morning revolved around the different approaches to internationalization strategy and mobility presented by Mrs. Raimonda Markeviciene, Head of Vilnius University IRO, followed by the exposure of the student’s point of view by Mr. Klaudijus Melys, President of student’s Union at Vilnius University, who gave an overview of the role of student’s Union in the University and discussed how it supports and represents a mean of integration for international students. During the afternoon, participants met Dr. Inesa Seskauskiene, Dean of the Faculty of Philology at Vilnius University, who gave some examples on possible ways and approaches to match the international strategies at a faculty level to those established at the institutional level, stimulating the discussion with Asian partners. The day was concluded with a visit to the Carrier and Students Consultation Centre at Sauletekis Campus, where participants were presented the services offered to both, Lithuanian and international students, in terms of career perspectives and internship opportunities.

The third day involved an interactive session on SWOT analysis, held by Mrs. Raimonda Markeviciene and Ms. Skirmante Savickaite from Vilnius University. The moderators introduced the session and arranged group work activities. During the second part of the morning, the interactive session focused on ACTION PLAN, including an introductory section and group-work, managed by Mr. Julius Pukelis and Ms. Rita Vienazindiené (VU). The moderators defined the concept of Action plan and listed the criteria that characterize a good planning, keeping into account potentially involved risks and illustrating the best strategies in order to write an appropriate Action Plan. 

On Thursday, October 10^th, during the morning, participants took part in a group-work session that served as a functional wrapping up of the topics explained in the previous days. Keeping in mind the freshly acquired notions about SWOT analysis, planning and action plans, participants were involved in discussions concerning approaches to internationalization strategies and all the processes behind them. During the afternoon, country-specific presentations dealing with Myanmar, Laos and Sri Lanka were held by Asian partners: the presentations were based on the developed material and followed by discussions revolving around the Asian partners’ HEIs specific needs. The day ended with a Vilnius City Tour, during which the participants had the possibility to be immersed in the Lithuanian capital’s spirit.

During the last day of training, after a wrap up on the activities developed in the previous days, the focus was on the assignments to for the deliverables of WP2. Asian partners developed an outline of the new/updated international relation strategies later presented during the following WP2 activity: National workshops in Asia.

Training materials available in the box below.