Show Me the Value - Impact of International Cooperation
The completion of an international cooperation project does not mark the end of its impact. Often, the results only reach their full potential afterwards – whether in the further development of teaching and institutions, in the personal development of the individuals involved, or in society. A survey by Movetia provides valuable insights.
Individual mobility programmes focus on personal international experience. Cooperation projects, on the other hand, bring together education and teaching professionals with international partner institutions to develop a joint product. This is intended to close existing gaps in the education system – for example, through new teaching methods or innovative teaching modules.
The benefits of such cooperation projects are evident in two stages: on the one hand, direct effects are immediately visible (project results). On the other hand, longer-term impulses (impact) are generated for the participating institutions and the education system as a whole. Movetia has examined these impulses in more detail.
Promotion of cooperation projects
International cooperation in education contributes to its sustainable development. International cooperation projects create added value in education by enabling a deeper exploration of a topic on a reciprocal basis. This does not happen via a one-sided transfer of specialist knowledge, but rather a change of perspective and learning from one another.
In order to promote this cooperation in a targeted manner, Movetia has been supporting institutional cooperation in higher education and higher vocational education since 2017 through two funding lines, among others: the "Swiss Programme for Erasmus+" for European partnerships and the globally oriented funding instrument "International Programme".
Movetia survey with HEIs
To better understand this added value, Movetia conducted a survey in 2024 among the leaders of 50 completed cooperation projects in higher education. We asked them which project results they were most proud of, what impact they had observed on various target groups, and what their expectations were for the next five years. Overall, the survey had a response rate of 30%.
Projects and results
The projects covered the topics of intercultural skills, skills development, sustainability, digitalisation and pedagogy. Universities, universities of applied sciences and teacher training colleges took part in the survey.
| ETH Zurich | FHNW | HES-SO | PH Bern | PH Lucerne |
| Cooperative development of interdisciplinary natural products courses | Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Exchange and Capacity Building on Circular Economy | Acquérir des compétences globales pour une employabilité durable (Link) | Videovignetten in Naturwissenschaft, Technik und Textil - VidNuT (Link) | A European Network for Digital Undergraduate Research |
| PH Zug | SUPSI | SUPSI | SUPSI-DTI | UNIGE & UZH |
| Blackbox Balkan/Schweiz | Designing With. A New Educational Module to Integrate ML, AI, and DV in Design Curricula | TOBP – Transcultural Open Badges Platform for Migrant | Let's use biodegradable plastic for the future - FutureBIO | UPgrading the SKIlls of Linguistics and Language Students (UPSKILLS) |
| UNIL | UNISG | ZHdK | ZHAW | |
| Lausanne-Madagascar exchange in environment and development | Negotiating the Amazon: Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Amazon | Learning from Inequality | Tackling Climate Change through Global Learning" - Virtual Summer School |
Direct successes include the implementation of summer schools with culturally diverse student groups, the development of new teaching materials and didactic concepts, the introduction of new teaching content, and the integration of digital tools into curricula. The projects also focused on promoting equality, establishing new networks, and raising awareness of innovative educational approaches.
The responses provide valuable insights into the impact and sustainability of international cooperation projects. They show both direct successes (results) and effects beyond the end of the project (impact), as well as recommendations for ensuring long-term impact. The aim of the survey was to assess the impact of international cooperation beyond the project period.
Impact achieved by the cooperation projects
The survey showed that the impact of a cooperation project is not limited to obvious aspects such as the development of teaching materials or the establishment of a new course, but has a broad influence on the institutional, individual and societal levels, as in an ecosystem.
Our survey results reflect the findings of the Impact Study published by the European Commission (2019) on the Erasmus funding lines "Strategic Partnerships" and "Knowledge Alliances". The Impact Study shows that cooperation partnerships in particular provide impetus for structural improvements in the education system.
Institutional Transformation
Curriculum Development
Creation and revision of courses and programmes, integrating international perspectives
Impact study: Over 90% of institutions indicated that Strategic Partnerships improved the quality and relevance of curricula and teaching practices.
Practical examples: Introduction of four new courses at the university and establishment of a doctoral programme on the project topic (Designing With).
Capacity Building
Strengthening capacity through digitalisation, new pedagogies, and staff training
Impact study: 85% of institutions reported direct innovation in pedagogical skills due to participation in Strategic Partnerships.
Practical examples: Development of innovative technical approaches for the field of linguistics, bilingualism and multilingualism (UPSKILLS).
Development of video vignettes as teaching aids, improvement of pedagogical practice and integration into teacher training (VidNuT).
Innovation & Research
New research areas, publications and innovation in academic practices to enhance the educational system
Impact study: Strategic Partnerships enabled institutions to develop innovative teaching and curricula, become more interdisciplinary and better aligned with labour market needs.
Practical examples: Interdisciplinary degree programme has opened up new areas of research and placed research-based teaching at the forefront (Cooperative development of interdisciplinary natural products courses).
Contribution to the development of new approaches for micro-credentials, in particular competence profiles for healthcare professionals (TOBP).
Competence Development
Intercultural Competences
Developing intercultural skills through international experiences, fostering awareness at home and abroad
Impact study: 82% of institutions observed improvement in students’ intercultural, civic, and transversal skills through participation in Strategic Partnerships.
Practical examples: Engaging students in real, intercultural learning environments (Lausanne-Madagascar exchange in environment and development).
Intercultural learning through study trips, personal encounters and ongoing cooperation with the Kosovar diaspora in Switzerland (Blackbox Balkan/Schweiz).
Employability & Career Prospects
Supporting students’ career readiness and strengthening staff development
Impact study: 89% of organisations reported that their Strategic Partnership improved alignment of education with labour market needs.
Practical examples: The joint programme between Switzerland and Tunisia has equipped students with global skills for their future careers and offered employees valuable opportunities for professional development (Acquérir des compétences globales pour une employabilité durable).
Entrepreneurial & Leadership Competences
Empowering students and staff to lead, innovate, and drive change across academic and professional contexts
Impact study: Strategic Partnerships played an important
role in promoting entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning despite the limited presence of businesses as formal project partners.
Practical examples: Empowering students to become global changemakers through international cooperation while inspiring new ideas and motivation among employees (Tackling climate change through global learning).
Societal Engagement
Partnerships & Networks
Strengthening ties with global institutions, NGOs, and local communities
Impact study: 90% of institutions continued to engage in collaborative work after the cooperation project ended.
Practical examples: Establishing new cooperation partners and raising awareness of the project topic among Swiss colleagues (A European Network for Digital Undergraduate Research).
Improving the network in Asia and launching a similar project in Peru (Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Exchange and Capacity Building on Circular Economy).
Sustainability & Inclusion
Contributions to social justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusion
Impact study: Three in five projects of Strategic Partnerships promoted social inclusion and non-discrimination.
Practical examples: Promoting educational equity (Learning from Inequality).
Developing VR and OER tools to raise awareness of biodegradable plastics and promote sustainable practices (FutureBIO).
Community Engagement
Impact on local communities, collaborations with government bodies, or influence on public policy
Impact study: 54% of organisations noted stronger cooperation with local and national authorities through their Strategic Partnerships.
Practical examples: Partnerships with local communities in the Amazon region and civil society, including a humanitarian initiative with the Swiss Embassy (Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Amazon).
Outlook
Over the next five years, the project participants expect the results achieved to have an even broader impact. Plans include establishing "global change-makers" among graduates, anchoring new courses in the curriculum, implementing spin-off projects and continuing multinational education programmes. In addition, the project results will be used for curriculum revisions, new project proposals, and expanded application contexts for students.
Recommendations
Thanks to their international experience in project collaboration, the project participants have gained new insights that they will use for long-term impact in order to increase it even further. For prospective initiators of international collaborations, they recommend the following measures:
- Consistent goal orientation across all project phases
- Targeted expansion of internal support
- Securing long-term funding
- Establishment of systematic monitoring, for example via a project portfolio
- Organising regular conferences or symposia to raise the profile of project results
- Greater awareness of environmental impacts
- Targeted promotion of additional funds for cooperation with the Global South
Conclusion
Based on the survey, we were able to show how Swiss higher education institutions are creating long-term benefits for our education system through their participation in international cooperation projects. The results of international cooperation projects are immediately applied in teaching and contribute to the high-quality further development of the internationalisation of our education system.
