Directorate General for Education and Culture
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University of Rome
"Foro Italico" |
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| Background |
Most of the Balkan countries signed the Bologna Declaration in 2003 in Berlin, and reinforced the HE reform process during the 2005 Belgrade Declaration. Notwithstanding the important results already achieved, the HE reform still faces major problems in the Balkans, particularly in Albania, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). These three Balkan countries are involved in the present multi-country project, which represents the extension of the highly successful JEP-400087-2005 “Sport Science Curricula in Albania & Bologna Process (BOALBA)”
All countries have introduced the ECTS system and also implemented the Diploma Supplement (DS), however the 3+2+3 model or three-year duration for the undergraduate studies is not so an easy concept for the faculties to understand. The inadequate resources for competitive research, seriously outdated teaching materials and methods, and some of the academic programs with little relevance for the emerging economies of the region, often inhibit the quality of the teaching and of the research.
The importance of sport & physical activity (PA) in education, development, and health & preventions is increasingly acknowledged by the Balkan countries. There is an increasing need to strengthen vital sectors such as education, prevention or rehabilitation as well as research methodology, communication and ethics in sport. This entails the promotion of sport and PA among the population and the preparation of qualified specialists, also for the promotion of the development of research oriented post-graduate programs.
The benefits of this project, the only one of this kind involving Albania, Kosovo and the FYROM, will reach all parties, and entail scientific, educational, and cultural perspectives. For the PCs, the benefits will extend from the University system to education, health & lifestyle and employability improvement of the Albanian, the Kosovan and the Macedonian society. More generally, the project will considerably contribute to the strengthening of the intercultural dialogue and fostering exchanges, mutual understanding and cooperation between the Balkan countries and the rest of Europe. |
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| Objectives and Methodologies |
The main objectives of the project are to maximise the benefits of the previous Tempus JEP focused on the reform of APES in Tirana, and expand them to a wider and deeper updating of the sport science curricula in three interconnected Balkan countries: by harmonizing the structure, contents and teaching methodology, thereby leading to mutual recognition of degrees, by bringing them closer to the EU counterparts, and by strengthening the background of graduates and postgraduates to give them better chances to meet job-market requirements, or in turn to contribute to scientific research and the education of younger generations.
Study programs will be implemented and/or redesigned, in the light of scientific advances and the analysis of 1) undergraduate and postgraduate curricula in Albania, Kosovo and FYROM; 2) EUP experience and related Eur curricula; 3) social and public health needs, and job-market requirements and trends. A tracking of graduates and consultation with employers will be undertaken to this effect.
The project is expected to improve teaching abilities and outcomes, through teachers training and the introduction of modern contents and methodologies; to bridge the gap between graduate and postgraduate skills and market needs, thus promoting employability; to foster scientific mentality and research, by establishing research-oriented postgraduate programs and preparing for the future implementation of PhD programs; to promote mobility and scientific cooperation, and to more generally help increase understanding and cooperation with the EU scientific community, culture and society. |
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| Dissemination |
The dissemination of the project's goals and frame of reference will start in the early stages and continue during the life-span of the project and even after the end of the project . It entails two main actions:
- Involving the target users of this project: graduates and Faculty staff, operators in the physical education and sport sector. The EUP and PC partners will give seminars focusing on the goals and on the main outputs of the projects. Information will also be posted on the university/academy website. A leaflet describing the project in Albanian will be distributed.
- Involving the project’s stakeholders by promoting the project with schools, academic environments, health, sport event and tourism operators, and through a broad dissemination of information. The project will be presented in academic (Conference of Balkan Rectors), and operators (health, sport, tourism association) annual meetings. A specific dissemination action will be undertaken on the occasion of the visits of the EUP Faculty for the Curriculum Development Sessions, the Intensive Course, and finally for the European Master dissertations, the introduction of postgraduate curricula, and the Final Report.
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| Sustainability |
The Tempus funding is needed to support the transformation process. Once this is accomplished, no special measures will be needed to ensure the sustainability of what has been implemented:
- the new sport science curricula will replace the previous ones and be offered on a regular basis, without necessarily involving extra costs;
- The upgrading of study programs, teaching and reseach skills, technologies and presentations will have taken place through the teaching/research mobility program, as will the mobility program and Faculty upgrading through the European Master, and have become a new asset for the HEIs. (Additional mobility costs, such as for the European Master students in relation to the discussion of their thesis --in case they have not done so in Tirana, Tetovo and Prishtina at the end of year 3-- will be supported institutionally or through Tempus IMG or other mobility programs)
- The HEIs research laboratories and other structures, services and administrative procedures implemented will remain in place and be regularly supported and maintained through the institution's ordinary budget
- The students, Faculty and stakeholders (market operators and other social parties) will be more involved and motivated, the value of PA and sport in health and prevention, social events, tourism, will be more widely recognised, and this will result in wider employability of graduates, possible external funding, higher numbers of students, and related budget increases
- The endorsement of the Ministry of Education and Science of Albania, FYROM and Kosovo will guarantee the accreditation of the new curricula and sustainability of study programs and research implementation, also considering that the cooperation within the Western Balkans and with the EU in the area of science and research is intensifying.
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| Quality Control and Monitoring |
The project will be closely monitored through Inter-Tempus coaching meeting by the EXC-GH and GC partner, whose institution has a special Tempus office being involved in several such projects, as well as by the GA and other EUP. In particular, and in addition to regular contacts between GC, GA, EXC-GH and PCs, the following evaluation measures will be taken:
- Bimonthly Reports. The timing and description of the various achievements will be detailed out in a report every two months.
- Coordinating Meetings. The situation will then be discussed in detail at each of the 4 Coordinating Meetings.
- Six-monthly Reports. Reports will prepared by the GC, in consultation with GA and EXC-GH, every six months and circulated to all partners.
- European Partner Reviews. Further discussions of the reports and a general assessment of the accomplishments and their quality will take place at the time of the 3 EUP visits to PC countries in the 1st , the 2nd and the 3rd year.
- Final Report. At the time of the last EUP visit to the Balkans, in December of the 3nd year, a general evaluation will take place and a Final Report will be issued, with recommendations towards future monitoring and the regular implementation of internal and external quality assessment procedures. The Final Report will be drafted by the GC and approved by all partners at the meeting.
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