More non-European countries available for Erasmus+ exchange
Prof. Fernando Camacho Padilla of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, during his stay at Allameh Tabataba’i University, Iran
In 2020 Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U) has once more been successful in securing Erasmus+ funding for student and staff exchange with non-European countries. This year the scope of the programme has been increased and 49 partner universities in 10 countries, Russia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Iran, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, are now part of the scheme.
The inclusion of new partner universities is possible thanks to the ongoing support of the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade, a governmental agency that co-finances A4U institutional visits. During these visits A4U representatives establish links with the leading universities, researchers have the possibility to know each other and explore possibilities of cooperation in teaching and research. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the visits in 2020 took place online.
Since 2015 A4U has been awarded a total of 1.644.103 Euros of Erasmus+ funds, which has enabled the exchange of almost 500 staff and students from A4U and its partner universities. Funds obtained in 2020 will be used to support mobilities during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. The calls for applications are now open and applications can be submitted via A4U webpage.
As a result of the exchange, students improve their language and inter-cultural skills, increase their confidence and gain international experience that counts towards their qualification. A research stay abroad can help doctoral students jumpstart their career. Staff also benefit from exchange as they learn and share best practice and have a chance to have a first-hand experience of a different educational system.
Through participation in Erasmus+ programme, universities have opportunities to forge cooperation in teaching and research, attract talent and increase the number of international students and staff, which in turn contributes to their diversity and internationalisation.
Erasmus+ continues during COVID-19 pandemic and mobilities can take place as and when the health situation and travel restrictions in the sending and receiving countries allow it.
Check Erasmus+ stories of exchange participants on https://alliance4universities.eu/en/erasmus-stories/
