Technische Universität Graz

Joint classes with international universities

Keywords

• - "Exchange"
• - "Promoting quality transnational mobility for lecturers"
• - "Promoting quality transnational mobility for students "
• - "international cooperation"
• - "International and intercultural competence"
• - "Internationalisation of the Curriculum"
• - "Cultural diversity"
• - "Short-term mobility"
• - "Teaching staff mobility"
• - "Public University"
• - "Virtual/physical mobility"

Short description

Objective

Joint courses held in cooperation with an international university are a great opportunity to gain experience abroad and at the same time to deepen course content at TU Graz with international students and promote the internationalisation of students and lecturers. The interlinking of course content not only builds and expands intercultural competences, but also gives students who are unable to go abroad for a longer period of time the opportunity to gain international experience.

Target group(s)

• - "Lecturers"
• - "Students"

Area

• - "Internationalisation"
• - "Internationalisation of studies and teaching "
• - "Mobility funding for university staff"

Framework

The courses are organised in close cooperation with international universities. Predefined course content is taught in a block module at a university abroad, with students from both universities working together on projects on site and achieving predefined goals. Courses at Bachelor's and Master's level are eligible for funding from the TU for student mobility.

Steps/Activities

The part of the course abroad extends over a period of at least 5 days to 3 weeks and can take place anywhere in the world. Course organisers can submit an application for funding. The application must describe the course project with a foreign university as well as the benefits/added value. Courses that are organised in cooperation with Unite! or strategic partner universities will be given preferential consideration in the application process. Applications from early-stage lecturers are particularly welcome. After a successful application, students receive a scholarship that covers part of the costs associated with the stay abroad. Lecturers can apply for financial support within the framework of staff mobility. The courses are part of the curriculum and therefore also part of the degree programme at TU Graz and offer students the opportunity to learn and work in an international environment. Examples of jointly organised courses: • March 2023 - Architectural Technology - Pula Architecture - property and existing building tours; inputs, lectures and guided tours by local architects. In exchange with international teachers and students, they try to find answers to current social, economic and ecological questions of building and try to penetrate these problems constructively. • January 2023 - Architecture and timber construction - Valencia A workshop together with Spanish professors and students to learn how to deal with warmer climates and how to adapt Austrian timber construction to future climate changes. • October 2022 - Architectural Technology - Seville Architecture students work with local students from the "Public Spaces" department to develop ideas for future urban planning: creating new sustainable solutions for an old harbour district. • April 2022 - Urban planning - Naples In-depth workshop in Pompeii to receive input from local experts on ancient urban structures and carry out practical analyses on site together with local students • December 2019 - Innovation and Industry Management - New York "Product Innovation Project". After initial work at their home universities, small groups of students continue to work together on a specific task set by an industry partner.

Impact

Through the joint course, students expand their international competences, deepen their specialist knowledge and gain experience in working with students from other cultures. Teachers also have the opportunity to establish or intensify contacts with foreign universities. The effects of this practice are manifold and include the development of intercultural competences, the establishment of a global network and the promotion of understanding for different educational approaches and systems. It can currently be observed that this funding format is particularly popular in the fields of architecture and civil engineering. The application procedure for this programme was changed in 2023. There is now one main submission deadline per semester to ensure that the best applications receive funding and there is a stronger focus on cooperation with specific partner universities.

Lessons learned

The experience gained from these courses offers valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of international cooperation. This funding programme is a valuable addition to traditional mobility formats and also enables students who are unable to spend a longer period abroad for financial or personal reasons to gain international experience. This funding programme laid the foundation for the promotion of joint courses. Since 2021, lecturers at TU Graz have also been able to apply for funding for the development of joint courses (online & blended formats). Joint courses promote innovation in the digitalisation of teaching and teaching cooperation with (strategic/unite!) partners. The development of innovative formats for joint courses for students of TU Graz and its partner universities is an important step on the way to Internationalisation@TUGraz.

Further links to the manual