SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT E+ 2017 KA103
After he call for applicants E+2017, Celje School of Economics, Vocational College was awarded four grants for mobility: one Student mobility for traineeships, one Staff mobility for teaching and two Staff mobility for training.
The main objectives of the institution in acquiring and implementing mobility are laid down both in the long-term strategy of the school and in the EPS, as well as in the expansion of the network in the European dimension, both through educational institutions with the mobility of teaching staff and other partners with the Staff mobility for training and Student mobility for traineeships. The network is expanded through personal contacts established at lecturers’ trainings and their participation in international conferences.
After informative meetings for interested students and staff, a call was made. The choice of students was not necessary, as the interest was the same as approved mobility. Lecturers’ interest was also equal to the approved number of mobility.
A student of the program Economist went on a two-month practice in the company Lärchenstadl GmbH, whose location is at 1600 m above sea level in the Katschberg Ski Center in Austria. Thus she expanded her practical knowledge, verified and applied theoretical knowledge acquired during the study of the program Economist and gained competencies in these fields. Of course, it is also very important to improve the knowledge and use of a foreign language in the work environment and in personal life.
For Staff mobility for teaching two institutions were selected as partners, with which we already had international agreements: with the Integrated Business Faculty, Skopje and the University of Dubrovnik. In Skopje lectures were delivered by dr. Anton Vorina, and two mobility were carried out in Dubrovnik. The lectures were selected by the lecturers in agreement with the contact persons and according to their field of expertise (Management, Statistics and Accounting).
The coordinator arranged all the necessary documentation for all mobility: appropriate programs for Staff mobility for teaching and a planned student internship program. She also prepared grant agreements and arranged for a financial transfer in accordance with the E+ rules. During mobility, greater attention is paid to the mobility of students, as it is a longer time, as well as for participants with less experience. Due to this responsibility, the preparation was well planned and carried out. After mobility, the coordinator checked the relevance of Letter of confirmation certificates. All participants duly completed the obligation to submit an online final report. The student also successfully passed the OLS knowledge test. On the basis of a certificate of completed mobility for practice, she received 7KT within the study program of the “Practical Education” course. After the elaboration and defence of the seminar work, she will receive another 7KT. Thus, she will have fully recognized obligations in practical training. The lecturers were satisfied with the course, content and organization of work at partner institutions.
Given the relatively low number of mobility, it would be difficult to talk about the broad impact of our project. In any case, any improved and newly acquired competence of a mobility participant affects the environment in which the participant lives and works. As a broader impact, we could assess the change in the acquisition of student competencies, which were indicated in the final report of the student, such as facilitated cooperation with people
from other cultures, adaptation and response in new situations, problem solving, gained self-confidence and conviction about their abilities. As it is young people, it is often the rise of such personality competences even more important than acquiring professional competences, for his appearance and position in the labour market.
Our institution implements a higher education program, which is to some extent a problem in comparison with the participating partner countries that do not have this level in the education system. Therefore, cooperation on the creation of a joint study program is virtually impossible. In the cooperation and conclusion of an interinstitutional agreement, the possibility of exchanging lecturers that brings into our educational process novelties and enrichment for students who do not participate in mobility also have an important effect. Thus our students were given a guest lecture by lecturers from the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Ohrid, from Integrated Business School Skopje and University of Dubrovnik. Invitations and participation in international conferences organized by our partners also count as an effect of mobility. What is most important, however, is the recognition and the international raising of the image of our institution.
