ERASMUS POLICY STATEMENT
1.1 The University of Surrey’s mission is to serve society by producing dedicated people with appropriate knowledge and skills and by providing imaginative and technologically informed solutions for industry, commerce and the professions. Through its Learning and Teaching (L&T) and International Strategies it aims to be an influential international university, offering quality educational, cultural and social experiences for staff and students, within an enterprise culture and to become a University of choice for international students and research bodies.
1.2 Its objectives are developing the pedagogy, including blended approaches to e-learning; increasing the number and geographical range of students; more research funding from the EU and elsewhere; effective partnerships for student/staff exchange and research, and more programmes jointly developed with partners. This needs alignment of syllabi with international as well as national norms, a welcoming student experience and professional training options for all students. In addition, student and staff mobility are embedded and supported with cultural and linguistic preparation.
1.3 International embraces Europe and these statements are the basis of Surrey’s participation in the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP). It encourages students and staff to study or work in continental Europe and operates within the UK QAA Codes of Practice for Placement Learning, Collaborative Provision and Students with Disabilities. These cross-refer to the Bologna Process and the European Mobility Charter.
1.4 Surrey’s programmes, with periods of integrated professional experience, fit well with the LLP. Students can study or work abroad and this represents a significant commitment to a European experience. A wider range of staff mobility, including with placements, aligns with the strategy.
1.5 In collaboration with partners, it is developing joint degrees at master level, and will develop multi-lateral projects and intensive programmes in the LLP; as well as Erasmus Mundus. Some postgraduate teaching is through intensive modules and these fit well with these schemes. Within the Socrates programme, Surrey was active in engineering and physics Thematic Networks. Further areas are under discussion and form part of the strategy. It will continue to develop projects within all strands of the LLP, including with enterprises.
1.6 Arrangements for promoting mobility are under review. New web pages are being designed at present and the EUC and Erasmus Policies will be incorporated. From 2007 Surrey is reorganising from Schools into four Faculties. Each has a senior academic with an international remit. The LLP opportunities will be promoted to encourage greater participation in both study and work mobility.
1.7Surrey has a policy of equal opportunity in education and employment for all its students and employees. It has a Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan to ensure equality of access to facilities.
AS
13 Feb 07
revised 21 Feb 07
revised 22 Feb 07