Peer-to-peer approaches towards an effective and sustainable change in internationalisation

• Dr. Arnim Heinemann (Chair), Director of the International Department, University of Bayreuth, Germany 
• Nicolas Maillard, Head of International Relations, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
• José María Marbán Prieto, Associate Professor at the University of Valladolid, University of Valladolid, Spain

Abstract

For many years, Higher Education Institutions have had internationalisation as a primary goal. Different approaches have been tested and implemented in order to increasingly internationalise institutions. These included both the top-down approach, through policies and regulations and the bottom-up approach, through specific initiatives that seek to “convince” authorities about the relevance of internationalisation for a competitive institution. In all cases, these approaches end up being little effective as they reveal to be extremely volatile and deeply linked with the then-current existing conditions.

A peer-to-peer approach, though, presents an innovative method of pursuing internationalisation that is proving to be far more effective. Since it lays on the action of peers to share successful experiences, it largely reduces all possible existing barriers among different stakeholders, thus motivating the needed structural change and contributing to create a swift, solid and lasting change.

The panel, with interventions from Latin-American and European experts in academic recognition, will present a wide range of results from empirical research and best practices from two sustainable university networks, SGroup - Universities in Europe and FAUBAI comprising topical insights from around 250 HEIs and elaborate on how the Rec-Mat (Recognition Matters) project’s peer-to-peer approach in different scenarios contributed to an effective change in the internationalisation process of the universities involved, particularly in the topic of academic recognition of studies. The session will take a close look at the activities that allowed the academic staff members, from both Latin America and Europe, to show their peers the relevance and benefits of academic recognition of students’ academic performances during their study abroad mobility. It also allowed the IT staff to share their knowledge on different computing tools that support the technical aspects of efficiently administrating transparently and barrier-freely accessible academic recognition.

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