FRIENDS
A PSU Erasmus+ Project
Project Overview
Acronym
Specific Activity
Contact (Project Coordinator)
International Cooperation Department
Varna University of Management
+359 885 398 62
christina.armutlieva@vumk.eu
(Christina Armutlieva)
Contact (PSU Partner)
List of Partners (Project Coordinator italicized)
| Partner Institution | Country | City |
|---|---|---|
| VISSHE UCHILISHTE PO MENIDZHMANT | BULGARIA | VARNA |
| ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY SDN BHD | MALAYSIA | KUALA LUMPUR |
| BERJAYA HIGHER EDUCATION SDN. BHD. | MALAYSIA | KUALA LUMPUR |
| BUDAPESTI METROPOLITAN EGYETEM | HUNGARY | BUDAPEST |
| CEBU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY ARGADCEBU CAMPUS | PHILIPPINES | CEBU CITY |
| DEWEY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | CAMBODIA | BATTAMBANG |
| ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITESI VAKFI | TURKEY | KUCUKCEKMECE ISTANBUL |
| MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY | THAILAND | MAHA SARAKHAM |
| PAYAP UNIVERSITY | THAILAND | CHIANG MAI |
| POLITECHNIKA SLASKA | POLAND | GLIWICE |
| PRINCE OF SONGKLA UNIVERSITY | THAILAND | HAT YAI |
| ROYAL INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT | BHUTAN | THIMPHU |
| ROYAL THIMPHU COLLEGE | BHUTAN | THIMPHU |
| SAINT LOUIS COLLEGE, INCORPORATED | PHILIPPINES | BAGUIO CITY |
| SVAY RIENG UNIVERSITY | CAMBODIA | SVAY RIENG |
| UNIVERSITY OF CEBU, INC | PHILIPPINES | CEBU |
Project Number
Grant Awarded (Euros)
Year
Project Summary
The FRIENDS project supports PC HEIs’ internationalisation capabilities and campus diversity. The project’s chief goal is to develop PC HEIs students’ global competence through the integration of intercultural dimensions into universities’ formal and informal curriculum. The project is built around the concept of internationalisation at home (IaH) that shifts HEIs’ focus of attention from outbound to virtual mobility and on-campus intercultural engagement for the benefits of non-mobile students’ employability and global outlook.
The consortium combines the expertise of 4 Eastern European PrC HEIs in BG, HU, PL and TR, as well 12 PC HEIs from Asia, namely 2 in BT, 2 in KH, 2 in MY, 3 in PH and 3 in TH.
The following key results will be achieved through FRIENDS:
- Institutional IaH Action Plans adopted to streamline PC HEIs’ initiatives for IaH and to improve PC HEIs IROs staff and faculty’s capacities for internationalisation.
- Intercultural Passport virtual module designed and embedded into PC HEIs' elective curriculum to build students intercultural knowledge and sensitivity to cultural diversity. The Intercultural Passport is an innovative tool that combines virtual mobility and methodologies for validation of prior experiential learning evidenced through the means of digital storytelling. At least 180 PC HEIs students will be awarded an Intercultural Passport at FRIENDS initial phase.
- FRIENDS Teahouse social spaces established at 12 PC HEIs to function as student-friendly multicultural hubs that welcome diversity, and support the welfare of students with diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition, FRIENDS Teahouses will contribute to the improvement of overall university experience of PC HEIs’ students across campus.
- Home away from Home Programme induced as a model for integrated international student care and services. In the long run, the programme will contribute to the gradual increase of international and inbound students at the PC HEIs.