Erasmus Best Practices

The European Commission has selected Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) as an example of good practice within the Erasmus programme. Specifically, UPV has been selected from more than 83 European institutions as the best in the teacher mobility section.

This award recognises the work of the International Exchange Programmes Office and the respective international offices of the thirteen schools and faculties at UPV. Among the reasons given by the European body are the high number of teaching staff who spend a mobility period at academic institutions in the European Union and the quality of the management of the programme –both in the academic and in the logistical and financial areas– as highlighted by the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Co-operation, Juan Miguel Martínez Rubio.

Currently, UPV is the fifth European university and the second in Spain –only behind the University of Granada– as regards the number of teachers participating in this mobility programme. "In relative terms, and taking into account its size, UPV stands first, because those who are ahead have a larger number of students and teachers", said the Vice-Rector Juan Miguel Martínez Rubio.

According to data provided by UPV’s International Exchange Programmes Office, in 2011 there were 180 mobilities, while in 2012 this amount was increased to a total of 207. In words of Juan Miguel Martínez Rubio, these figures show the effort and commitment of Universitat Politècnica de València with the Erasmus programme, which allows academic staff to deliver teaching for up to five days at another university. "The University not only encourages their participation, but also takes into account this activity as a variable for the Index of Teaching Activity (IAD)," said the Vice-Rector.

The European Commission is now preparing a guide of good practices in Erasmus that will include UPV’s management model so that "our experience will be used as a reference to the many Spanish and European universities participating in the Erasmus programme", currently more than 3,000 from 31 different countries.

The International Exchange Programmes Office is directed by Professor Maria Boquera Matarredona, and is responsible to the Vice-Rectorate for International Relations and Co-operation, which is in charge of coordinating internationalisation at UPV and promoting the participation of students and staff in exchange programmes.

This is the second time that UPV has won an award for excellence in the management of Erasmus programmes. In 2010, it received the Recognition Award for Quality in LLP-Erasmus Studies, granted by the Autonomous Agency for European Educational Programmes (OAPEE), popularly known as the National Agency for Erasmus.

UPV joined the Erasmus programme in the late 80s. At present, the agreements are managed directly by the schools and faculties of UPV. "Receiving this award is a great satisfaction, as UPV participates very actively in Erasmus since it started. Undoubtedly, the award is due to the excellent work being done by all staff involved at UPV" remarks the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Co-operation, Juan Miguel Martínez Rubio, who emphasises that internationalisation, along with student and teaching and non teaching staff mobility, is one of the key elements included in the Strategic Plan.

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Elaborado por UPV TV