Goals and Objectives

First, a more efficient integration of participating HEIs’ Internationalization Strategy with their International Credit Mobility (ICM) policy and international credit transfer pursuant ICM. The first objective will be reached by organizing two visits by 21 academic and administrative staff members to study best models and practices. One visit will be to the EU-country participating HEI (UOWM) and the other to the participating HEO from North Macedonia (IUS), as well as critical and reflective exchanges of representatives of partner institutions, each participating HEI from the WB will engage in developing or updating its own internationalization strategic documents within Project Year 1 (total: 5 ICM strategic documents). They will equally engage in developing or updating their ICM policy documents within the same time period. Policy monitoring and policy (self-)reporting will be the means of verification.

Second, is the very strengthening of the capacity of the participating HEIs’ IROs. This is envisaged to be accomplished through policy interventions, physical and technical infrastructural enhancement and human capacity building through a series of trainings. The second objective will be reached by integrating internationalization strategies and ICM policies in the daily operations of HEIs. In year 1 partner HEIs from the WB will synchronize them with their IRO protocols (target: 5 protocols), especially targeting to incorporate special provisions to allow for equal and equitable access by students and staff. Beyond policy and normative actions, IROs are anticipated to develop or enhance appropriate and accessible feedback mechanisms from students and staff by the end of the project. The measurement of related activities will be conducted by way of policy monitoring and (self-)reporting, as well as monitoring feedback mechanisms and assessing feedback quality.

They are highly interested in knowing, in detail, all project activities, project progress, and the expected level of their involvement. They will be regularly updated on the progress of WPs and future plans/tasks to be completed.

key stakeholders to this project, underprivileged students enrolled in programs in one of the partner HEIs and more. Underprivileged status includes, but may not be limited to the following categories:

• people from low-income households;
• students from rural areas;
• students and staff from minority ethnic groups or of a migration background;
• students and staff from Roma or Traveller communities;
• students who are the first in their families to pursue tertiary education studies;
• students and staff with disabilities;
• students and staff who are care providers;
• students and staff with religious beliefs;
• LGBT+ students or staff;
• mature students;
• lifelong learners.

Several communication tools will be employed to attract underprivileged students enrolled in a degree course in other HEIs that are not necessarily partners of the consortium.

Project activities will be disseminated to the academic and administrative staff with the purpose of capacity building on the field and increasing awareness on the importance of creating strategies to improve mobility procedures for underprivileged students.

Different communication tools will be employed to attract this secondary group of the stakeholder community to this project. That being alumni students that have completed their studies in the partner HEIs and have pursued a mobility during their studies. They will be invited to participate in the ICM Orientation Weeks and other activities organized throughout the project to showcase their personal experiences before, during, and after mobility.

Throughout the activities of work package 3 IRO management representatives of partner institutions will be trained on the management and mobility projects’ application process.

Professionals and employees in other HEIs and relevant institutions will be continuously invited to join info sessions and result in dissemination activities with the main purpose to increase awareness on the project topic and issues to be tackled.

Business and industry leaders as potential employers of underprivileged students that are the main beneficiaries of this project. Means of communication will include the webpage, social media, newsletters, media outreach, and alternative collaborations with other organizations.

Project outcomes will be extensively promoted and EU, regional and national policymakers will be invited to take further actions to promote

Includes students, faculty and staff alumni from other HEIs as well as community members, government officials and policy makers. Means of communication will include the webpage, social media, newsletters, info sessions, presentations, events such as International Student Orientation weeks, media outreach and alternative collaborations with other organizations.