Universität für Weiterbildung Krems (Donau-Universität Krems)

Inclusive Mobility Kit for international stays of students and staff

The Inclusive Mobility Kit assists students and staff who are underrepresented or disadvantaged regarding stays abroad with access to support services and funding.

Objectives

When planning a stay abroad as part of one’s studies or work at the University for Continuing Education Krems, the principles of inclusion and diversity apply. This means that the conditions for studying, learning or temporarily working abroad should be appropriate for all interested people by addressing their individual needs. Our Inclusive Mobility Kit, a video with an overview of the university's offers of support and respective contacts, is designed to facilitate this. Especially underrepresented or disadvantaged groups as well as individuals with fewer opportunities shall receive access to existing support structures and grants.

Background

The University of Continuing Education Krems actively shapes society through the orientation of its research and university continuing education. In this context, the themes of system goal 8 of the GUEP (Social Responsibility of Universities: Gender Equity, Diversity and Social Inclusion, Responsible Science, Sustainability and Digital Transformation) were also anchored in the 2022-2027 Development Plan: the university develops the necessary measures and creates the framework conditions to promote social inclusion, gender equity and diversity. Specifically, the increased participation and inclusion of all students and employees in international activities will be pursued. The objective of internationalization activities in the context of the principles of diversity and inclusion is also stated in the keystrategy "Expansion of International Activities" as well as in the Erasmus Policy Statement and concerns expanded scholarship, nomination, monitoring and recognition procedures for mobile staff as well as the increase of outgoing student numbers through the structural anchoring of short-term mobility and blended mobility within and outside the curricula.

(Implemented) Activities

An explanatory video was designed and made available to all potentially mobile people on the website of the University of Continuing Education Krems. On one hand, the video explains the topic and the possible offers of support, on the other hand, it should lead the viewer to the Service Center for International Relations, whose inclusion coordinator can specifically assist. In addition to the Erasmus+ inclusion support, the offer includes a scholarship for young female scientists, which was developed by and for the university.

Results

More inquiries from mobility-disadvantaged students and staff regarding opportunities and funding for study abroad are expected. So far, only a few interested parties from this target group have come forward. Furthermore, the Inclusive Mobility Kit is a contribution to the national and European inclusion and diversity objectives. The following concrete effects are expected for the students and staff concerned: internationality, inter-cultural competencies, networking, etc. and thus better opportunities in an increasingly globalized world.

Lessons learned

Such projects require the involvement and exchange with many organizational units of the university, for example: -Support from university governance -Conceptual work by the Office for Equality, Gender and Diversity -The Committee for Equality Issues's support regarding the design of an inclusive video.

Further links