Work Package 3 has the main aim to enhance the ability of Asian Universities to design and manage international projects, crucial to foster the international dimension of Asian partners. This package is expected to build up a common expertise in project design and management and to promote the spreading of the culture of good and effective project management in Asia thanks to Cascade Trainings involving other Universities and the Ministries of Education of the partner countries.
3.1 Designing the WP activities rooted in the baseline study (WP1) and consistent with partners’ international relation strategies (WP2)
The aim was to design tailor-made training activities and appropriate materials in accordance with the needs and priorities highlighted by the WP1 baseline study and the Asian partners' internationalization strategies drafts developed during WP2. The main focus in the designing of the WP activities, is to support Asian partner Universities in gaining expertise in designing and managing projects, specifically, the projects that can actually be a tool to foster their international dimension.
Initially, the two trainings foreseen by the WP in project design and in project management were planned to take place in July and hosted by University of Bologna (WP leader). However, the travel restrictions due to the current pandemic situation imposed a delay in performing these activities. The Consortium with a strong effort and dedication agreed to deliver the trainings online.
3.2 Train the trainers – Project design
The participants were among the international relations officers of Asian partners Universities, working in fields related to the designing of education projects. The representative of Asian Universities' IROs acquired expertise on how to: produce reports, use different networking tools, manage information flows, deadlines and the necessary forms as well as how to use templates for designing projects effectively. Writing reports, in particular, is known to be an essential part in designing projects in order to underline the needs, competences and internal resources in terms of personnel and suitable equipment.
Furthermore, Asian partners became aware of the current situation of European funding in relations to their institutional objectives and international relations strategies as well as of the main budgeting procedures they have to follow according to the University's envisaged plan of activities.
3.3 Train the trainers – Project management
The aim of this training is to explore the organizational models, which can be used in the managing phase of the projects, and to discuss the possible problems that may arise when managing projects as well as the possible solutions (thanks to the aid of case study method).
Moreover, participants discussed the two main components of project management:
- Managerial, which includes coordination activities
- Reporting, which means assessing and monitoring results
Participants were asked then to evaluate the impact of internationalization projects in the field of education within their Universities, and how to exploit them to achieve specific goals.
Notwithstanding, a study visit in Bologna was planned by the Consortium in spring 2021: the reason behind this decision was that the added value of face-to-face trainings and visits to the European Universities' facilities should not be lost. Unfortunately, travel restrictions persisted due to the pandemic situation and the event could not be carried out.
All the work done during WP3 led to the implementation of a useful tool for IROs and all the actors involved in internationalisation actions.
This tool that has been developed is the "Guide for Project Design and Management" and it is available in the box below.
