Evidence-based approach in Erasmus+
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Strategic partnerships in the Erasmus+ Higher Education field in Poland By Jadwiga Fila
1. Introduction The Erasmus+ Programme provides a wide variety of possibilities for institutions to co-operate with partner institutions from foreign countries. Realising international projects has become a very common way of developing knowledge and skills and spreading research networks, especially within higher education institutions. Strategic partnerships are one of these possibilities. Projects lasting from two to three years, focussed mostly on didactic activities and involving a minimum of three foreign institutions, have become quite popular in Poland within the last few years. The Foundation for the Development of the Education System in Poland recently conducted a study on this kind of international projects. The aim of this study was the analysis of the beneficiaries’ experiences and impressions after running these projects. The purpose of the study was to prepare recommendations for future beneficiaries of strategic partnership projects or similar projects in the upcoming edition of the Erasmus+ Programme. The main research issues and topics were as follows: → How and by whom were the projects initiated? → How were the partnerships created? How were the partner institutions searched for? → How were the projects organised, and what were their aims and methods of working? → To what extent were the result and outcomes sustainable? → Were the actions undertaken during strategic partnership projects continued after the project had ended? → How did the institution authorities perceive the project, and was their attitude rather supportive or neutral? → How did the higher education institutions find the co-operation and support from the National Agency? Did it change at different stages of the project? → What are the strong and weak points of strategic partnership projects in general?
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Jadwiga Fila sociologist specialising in data analysis and social research. She graduated from the Jagiellonian University and has conducted a number of research projects (both qualitative and quantitative) in the field of education. Currently, she works as a research officer at the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Her latest research focusses on adult education and the impact of international mobility on students in higher education.
KEYWORDS
strategic partnerships,
Erasmus+ project, higher education, international project
