Aurora seminars for those interested in internationalisation 

The Aurora partnership creates a living platform for Aurora University students and staff to exchange ideas on ways to enhance the quality of education, research and university activities and increase their societal impact.

Internationalisation, international cooperation and student and staff exchanges are a cornerstone of the partnership. From March to June, Aurora invites those who work in international affairs at the universities, as well as other interested parties, to an online lunch talk series held the first Tuesday of each month where topics related to internationalisation will be discussed. Please refer to the programme below to join the lunch talks, note that the timing of events is in Central European Time (CET).  

PROGRAMME 

The first session will take place on Tuesday 1 March from 12.00-13.00 Icelandic time. Among others, Marina Casals Sala, Director of the International Office of the University of Rovira i Virgili an expert in internationalisation in higher education, will discuss her experience of the SUCTI (Systemic University Change Towards Internationalization) project.

Nanna Teitsdóttir, project manager at the International Division of the University of Iceland, will also give a talk at a session that will focus on the use of social media to mobilize students to participate in study and training periods abroad. Nanna is one of the many UI staff members who take an active part in projects and working groups within Aurora. She says there are many exciting projects underway that will pave the way for students to have more opportunities for international experiences in their studies and a simpler application and administrative process for both students and staff.

"One of Aurora's main goals is to increase the mobility of students and staff between universities to pursue studies, training, teaching and research, and to promote a diverse and equitable student community. I participate in a working group that deals specifically with student exchanges and the recognition of credits earned abroad. The group has, for example, developed a comprehensive multilateral agreement for student and staff exchanges between all Aurora universities which has now entered into force, and we have concluded a report which identifies obstacles within Aurora in transferring credits between universities and possible reforms to simplify the process. We are also analysing and discussing how best to ensure inclusion in student mobility so that all students can gain an international experience regardless of their circumstances. 

At the same time as systematic barriers are gradually being removed and new opportunities to take part in student mobility are being introduced, Nanna says that the dissemination of information to students remains a key factor for more students to take advantage of opportunities offered by Aurora and other cooperation agreements between the University of Iceland and partner universities. 

"That is why I would like to draw attention to what we have been doing at the International Division to make students think about the many opportunities that UI students have to gain international experiences. It is important to make studies and traineeships abroad more tangible and accessible. Through social media we can provide insight into the daily lives of students studying or training abroad and give other students the opportunity to ask them directly about their experiences. Research shows that the most effective way to reach students is through their peers and we’ve tried to incorporate that in our work.”