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Internationalization Strategy of Transilvania University of Brașov for the period 2024-2029

Preamble:

During the period 2020-2024, one of the three managerial priorities is to intensely promote the internationalization activities, as a means of increasing and diversifying the performance of the university community.

 General objective:

In this context, the general objective of the internationalization strategy of Transilvania University of Brașov was formulated in accordance with the objective no. 3 of the institution’s strategic development plan in the next period, namely increasing the university’s level of internationalization.

Specific objectives:

1. To develop the institutional capacity and to increase the international visibility of the university through international counselling.

Actions:

• • to initiate a dialogue with all faculties with a view to identifying the most suitable persons to be part of the International Advisory Committee;
• • to set up the International Advisory Committee, to define its role and means of operation;
• • to organize regular meetings of the International Advisory Committee with the university management.

2. To increase the university’s potential of attracting international students by developing, in each faculty, at least one programme with teaching in foreign languages (including in partnership with other universities in the country or abroad), especially in the master’s and doctoral degree cycles.

Actions:

• • to establish at least one study programme taught in a foreign language, especially in the master’s and doctoral degree cycles, in the faculties that have not included such programmes in their educational offer yet;
• • periodic internal evaluation of the study programmes taught in foreign languages, both in terms of the quality of processes and the number of international students (Erasmus and full time students) who participate in these programmes.

3. To improve the language skills of the academia, administrative staff and students, and to stimulate the academic staff who teach within foreign language programmes.

Actions:

• • to continue the language skills improvement programme, intended for the academic and administrative staff and for students, within the Centre for Modern Languages and the French Lectorate of Transilvania University;
• • to organize summer / winter schools with intensive language courses for academic staff, administrative staff and students, with the help of the academic staff working in the Centre for Modern Languages and the French Lectorate;
• • participation of the students, academic and administrative staff in language courses offered by the partner universities within the Erasmus+ programme;
• • to efficiently use the instrument provided by EU, On-line linguistic support (OLS), for the students participating in international mobility;
• • to grant a differentiated financing for the study programmes taught in foreign languages, in compliance with the legislation in force.

4. To stimulate the participation of the university staff in international teaching & learning, scientific or educational events, as a premise for developing the international cooperation, improving the visibility of the university and enhancing quality.

Actions:

• • to support the annual participation of each academic and full-time researcher in at least one scientific event abroad;
• • to finance the university’s own programmes of training / documentation / work abroad, as well as of development of the international educational and scientific cooperation;
• • to ensure the institutional framework for the successful implementation of these measures.

5. To stimulate the participation of the academia and students in international mobility and cooperation programmes funded by national and international agencies / organizations.

Actions:

• • to continue the measures already implemented at university level, regarding the stimulation of the academic staff and researchers to participate in international projects for scientific research and education;
• • to support the development of international partnerships for the less represented study fields;
• • to set up and activate the Erasmus Ambassador Corps, as a vector for stimulating students’ participation in international mobility. For this purpose, motivation, education and accountability of the members of this structure have a major role for the successful accomplishment of the mission.
• • to increase the level of information on the opportunities offered by the Erasmus + programme (both with programme and partner countries) and by other international cooperation programmes implemented at university/faculty level.
  • ‒ organizing regular meetings of the faculty management’s representative in charge with the internationalization and the Erasmus coordinators with the academic and administrative staff interested in participating in international mobilities;
  • ‒ increasing the relevance and efficiency of the informational events organized at faculty level (Erasmus Info Days); organizing information sessions for the university students on the international mobility opportunities, with the participation, as guests, of outgoing and incoming Erasmus students, and other international students;
  • ‒ diversifying the dissemination methods (including through the use of social media platforms) of the information on the opportunities offered by the Erasmus + programme and other international programmes implemented at university / faculty level.

6. To increase the contribution of reputed international specialists in teaching & learning, research and administrative processes of the university.

Actions:

• • to continue the programmes that offer financial support for the specialists from abroad who carry out activities at UNITBV;
• • to periodically assess the way in which the faculties contribute to the internationalization process through the involvement of specialists from abroad.

7. To increase the visibility of the university and the number of international students from less developed countries by annually granting scholarships / support programmes funded by the university.

Actions:

• • to continue the Transilvania Academica Scholarship programme;
• • to continue the financial support programme granted to the international students from less developed countries (including through scholarships, tax exemptions, free accommodation in residence halls, etc.) to study or carry out specific educational activities in the university.

8. To adjust the organizational structure and periodically organize activities and events for international students in order to increase the number of students interested in studying at UNITBV, as well as the level of their adaptation and integration.

Actions:

• • to intensify the activities carried out by UniTBv Student Welcome Team (for receiving international students at the airport / in Brașov, providing useful information on the relationship with the university and local authorities, conducting guided tours through the university and through Brașov or surroundings, etc.);
• • to involve the Erasmus Ambassador Corps in support activities for the international students carrying out a mobility at Transilvania University;
• • to provide counselling and guidance for the international students’ adaptation in a different cultural environment;
• • to continue the events that have already become a tradition, dedicated to Erasmus incoming students: Erasmus Welcome Day (semiannually, in the second week of the semester);
• • to continue the organization of the regular International Student Cultural Night Out meetings, between the international students and the Romanian students, in order to promote the multicultural spirit and tolerance, and for the international students to adapt to a different cultural environment;
• • to involve the international students (Erasmus+ and full-time) in research activities by their participation in student scientific events within the university and by attracting them in short (1 semester) and medium-term (1 academic year) student scientific projects with Romanian students;
• • to allocate and arrange a space, within the university, dedicated to international students and Romanian students (members of the UniTBv Student Welcome Team or the Erasmus Ambassadors Corps) for carrying out various types of study and / or cultural activities.

9. To intensify the collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania’s diplomatic missions abroad and with other institutions / organizations in the country and abroad in order to develop joint educational projects or of research / technical assistance, for promoting Romanian language, culture and civilization, as well as for attracting foreign students.

Actions:

• • to ensure permanent communication between the university management and government representatives (Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Foreign Affairs);
• • to provide logistical and financial support for proposing and implementing joint projects.

10. To support the participation of the university representatives in international events so as to promote the university and recruit more international students.

Actions:

• • to permanently update the information regarding the university’s study programmes taught in English on the institution’s website and on the Study in Romania portal;
• • to regularly organize international events bringing together the institution’s international partners (within the Erasmus + programme and other cooperation programmes implemented in the university);
• • to extend the university’s participation in interuniversity cooperation networks;
• • to co-organize international scientific events in the country or abroad in partnership with other universities, research institutes or other organizations;
• • to continue the participation of the university representatives in international educational and research events and fairs.

This document was approved by the Senate of Transilvania University of Brașov on May 13th, 2020.

President of the Senate,
Prof. Dr. Eng. Mircea Țierean