Annual event Higher Education

Thursday, December 12, 2024, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Bern

In 2024, the Higher Education sector event is back! The team is looking forward to bringing together all those involved in mobility and cooperation between higher education institutions to exchange ideas, get inspired and network.

What is the purpose of this event?

With the title ‘Movetia Connects’, Movetia wishes to underline its commitment to offering a space for exchange and collaboration to its guests. The higher education team will be delighted not only to share with you the latest political news on education, new programmes and current trends, but also to give you the chance to have your say through presentations of good practice and opportunities to ask your questions. Networking and the exchange of ideas will be at the heart of this event.

Sounds good, I'm interested; where and when will it take place?

Thursday, 12 December at 9:30 at the Kursaal in Bern 
The Kursaal is a 20-minute walk or 5-minute tram ride from Berne station.

Detailed programme

Morning from 9.30 to 10.10am: Welcome words & presentations 

Olivier Tschopp, Director, Movetia 

Amanda Crameri, Head of Division Higher education, Movetia

Special Guest: Let's connect with Brussel!

Morning from 10:30 to 12:00: Break-out Sessions

A- How to BIP!This session will provide institutions with an overview of the SEMP’s new Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) and with tips for putting BIPs into practice. The session is divided into two parts. In the first part, the SEMP BIP and its rules will be briefly summarised. In the second part, experts from Switzerland and Europe will share their expertise about the practical organisation of BIPs as well as their 'Lessons Learned'. Each part will be followed by a Q&A. 

Three sessions in three different rooms:


Speakers

Stéfanie Brändly, Scientific advisor, Movetia
Gregor Jancik, International Relations Coordinator Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
Michela Cobelli, Head of the International Mobility Unit, Università di Pavia, Italy

Leslie Hansen, Programme coordinator, Movetia
Jurga Kveksaite, ENLIGHT Mobility Coordinator, Universität Bern, Switzerland
Rosangela Amato, International Mobility Officer - BIP, Università di Pavia, Italy

Chantal Sistek, Scientific advisor, Movetia 
Maude Theurillat-Freléchoux, Erasmus/SEMP Coordinator, HES-SO, Switzerland
Rita Da Silveira Santos, FH Joanneum Graz, Austria

Language: EN

B - How to BIP for colleges of vocational educationThis session will provide VET colleges with an overview of the SEMP’s new Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) and with tips for putting BIPs into practice. The session is divided into two parts. In the first part, the SEMP BIP and its rules will be briefly summarised. In the second part, European experts will share their expertise about the practical organisation of BIPs as well as their 'Lessons Learned'. Each part will be followed by a Q&A. 

Speakers

Julia Grünenfelder, scientific advisor, Movetia
Beate Calleja, International Coordinator, Higher Vocational College Viken, Norway
Espen Berg, Head of Concept Development and Internationalization, Higher Vocational College Viken, Norway


Language: EN

Afternoon from 1.45pm to 3.15pm: Break-out sessions

C - Connecting international exchange students with local students and the communityHave you noticed that your local students hardly mix with your international incoming students? If you're looking to address this challenge and would like to bring your incomings closer to the local community, this session is for you. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the benefits of fostering connections between local and international students, identify the barriers and try to find practical steps. In addition, concrete initiatives, whether on a small or large scale, will be presented as source of inspiration. By the end of the session, each participant should leave with a practical take-away to strengthen these connections at their own institution.

Speakers

Chantal Sistek, Scientific advisor, Movetia
Veronika Favre, Head of the International Relations Office, Université de Fribourg, Switzerland
Neli Kalinova-Schmieder, Project & Policy Officer at Erasmus Student Network, Belgien
Martin Bogdan, Policy and Project Coordinator, Academic Cooperation Association ACA, Belgium 

Language : EN, but open to German and French

D - "Speaking Internationalisation - Overcoming divides: Partnerships with other departments in your institution in the context of internationalisation"At higher education institutions, the topic of internationality and international relations and cooperation is a normality in all departments. For departments or clusters such as the International Relations Offices, the topic is the reason for their very existence. Other departments deal with it through their specialism. They organise international exchanges of students and staff and implement projects through international cooperation. But how much do the departments know about each other? Are there possible transversal synergies within a university that would bring new benefits to everyone? In the workshop (World Café), we will look in particular at building bridges to the departments of Diversity and Sustainability. These are two topics that concern all higher education institutions and are of great global importance. Are aspects such as intercultural, global competences a possible link to these and all disciplines when it comes to internationality?

Speakers

Maria Stergiou, Programme coordinator, Movetia 
Dr. Darla Deardorff, UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence, Stellenbosch University, South Africa 

Language: EN

E - SEMP x European Universities: Paths to New Synergies

This workshop will provide a platform for exchanges on the challenges and opportunities that arise on a daily basis and in the strategy between the SEMP and the "European Universities". In the first part, two representatives of differently organised universities will talk about their experiences and assessments. In the second part, those present will exchange views on their own strategies and on possible ways of making joint use of the two programmes, with the help of specific questions. 

Please bring your laptop/tablet with you. 

Speakers

Julia Grünenfelder, Scientific advisor, Movetia
Leslie Hansen, Programme coordinator, Movetia
Michaela Soltan, ENLIGHT Coordinator, Universität Bern, Switzerland
Sandra Nonella, Co-Head International Affairs Unit, Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW, Switzerland

Language: DE, but open to English and French

F - Connect to the Future! Towards the successful integration of Swiss institutions into the digitised Erasmus+ networkThis session will take stock of the digitalisation of the management of the Erasmus+ programme in Europe and of the options available to Swiss institutions for taking part in this ambitious and necessary project. The successes and challenges of this initiative, as well as the steps to be planned, will be presented in order to give Swiss institutions a clear perspective. 

Speakers

Héloïse Perrin, Scientific advisor, Movetia
Theo Whitwill, Manager Exchange Programmes International Affairs Unit, Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW, Switzerland
Joachim Wyssling, Deputy Executive Manager, European University Foundation, Luxembourg

Language: EN

Afternoon from 3.30 to 4.30 pm

Exchange activity

& SEMP celebration

The aim of the day is also to provide an opportunity for exchanges between collaborators from the various International Relations Offices. In an informal ("uncomplicated") atmosphere, we invite you to share your experiences or ask your questions around themed tables. Stroll as you please from one table to another, accompanied by your afternoon coffee/tea.Please note that our colleagues Julie Rouiller, in charge of the National teacher exchange programme (NALE), and Samuel Bobst, in charge of the Language Assistantship Abroad programme (SAP), will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about these two programmes, which offer the opportunity to do an internship or a six-month exchange in another language region of Switzerland, as well as to teach your mother tongue for a school year in a school abroad. 

The registration deadline has expired.