TEMPUS-CARDSUM-JEP-18023-2003

INTEGRATION & STRUCTURING OF INTERNATIONAL

RELATIONS IN MACEDONIA (ISDRIM)

Sustainability of ISDRIM project :

outcomes, problems, new organization at central level and future of international cooperation projects

Prof. Dr Ljubica Šuturkova,Vice-Rector

Novi Sad, 19th January 2007

“Ss. Cyril and Methodius” UniversitySkopje, Macedonia

The establishment of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by 2010 is a major area of reform for higher education in Europe.

Universities are committed to develop innovation processes throughout the transfer of knowledge to society. Integration between universities, industry and other service related organizations should be improved and facilitated by public authorities.

WHO ARE WE IN THE PROCESS?

Ss Cyril and Methodius University consists of:-23 faculties, 10 research institutes and 7 other accompanying members

The present structure of the Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje can be illustrated by the following:- over 40 000 students from Republic of Macedonia as well as 800 foreign students are enrolled at all the faculties; - around 2500 teaching and scientific staff and associates are engaged in the teaching, educational and scientific processes at the faculties and - around 300 staff members at the various institutes.

Until now over 110 000 students have acquired their Bachelor’s degree, 5000 candidates have obtained their Master’s degree, and over 2300 postgraduates have earned their Doctor of Science degree in all teaching and scientific fields.

TEACHING AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The UKIM faculties function as legal entities and carry out higher educational, scientific and research activities, while the research institutes (that are also legal entities) carry out scientific and research activities.

As yet, postgraduate studies have not been organized on a central level with the exception of 5 interdisciplinary studies that were organized within the framework of the TEMPUS program.

PRESENT STRUCTURE- The University presents an association of members that transfer some of their competencies like organization, coordination and decision-making to the University bodies.

AUTONOMY AND LEGISLATION- According to the Law on higher education, the faculties and institutes have total autonomy in gaining and allocating funds obtained from the budget and other sources respectively. They independently plan, make the curricula and study programs. In addition to this, they also insure the necessity for staff renewal, elections to teaching, scientific and associate’s titles.

WHAT ARE WE DOING AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL?

- UKIM has independently determined to move toward contemporary higher education systems. Before the formal signing for committing to the Bologna process, the UKIM members had accepted the spirit and principles of the Declaration.

- Projects under the TEMPUS Programme included 76 JEPs, 27 compact measures and over 350 grants for individual mobility which contributed to the following:

Enhanced efficiency and the effectiveness of university management

Promotion of existing and developing new curricula and academic programmes with a series of pedagogical innovations

Introducing comparable criteria and maintaining a high level of quality.

I Objective

Building mechanisms and instruments for cooperation between faculties and scientific institutions, as well as between faculties, institutes and university managerial bodies

II Objective

Developing international study courses and enhancement of European dimension of higher education

III Objective

Reorganization of the International Relations Office of the university in order to respond to the requirements of all faculties/institutes

IV Objective

Strengthening the international cooperation

1.1. Central coordinationSignificance

The centralized coordination of the administrative expenses and other costs increases the internal communication and releases additional assets

Activities Forming central libraries Common services assuranceResults Improved access to scientific materials for academic staff and

for students Improved communication and thus increased exchange of

experiences Reduced expenses and more efficient administrative functioning

1.2. Participation in international researches

Significance Avoiding research replication and recurrenceActivities Introducing interdisciplinary researches, action

and study programs Organizing continuous education coursesResult Reaching a research level in compliance with

higher European standards

1.3. Central storage of information and statistical data

Significance Surpassing the deficit of institutional

information and statistics Activities Installation of central information serviceResults Easier and more efficient analysis of

information and statistic data Improved capacity for demand responding

1.4. Forming a central research body

Significance

Improved founding of project agreements with national and external source; Improved teaching; Surpassing the lack of strategic planning in research

Activities Assistance for implementing project agreements Implementation of project results for the

requirements of both education and society Interdisciplinary research between faculties and

institutes

1.4. Forming a central research body

Results Enhanced participation in projects Dissemination of project results Strategic research planning Results that will respond to scientific and educational

needs Responding to educational and educational

requirements Enhancement of cooperation in research. Establishment of interdisciplinary research action Common advanced researches in compliance with

European standards

1.5. Centralized decision-making

Significance

Central decision making on decentralized initiative basis

Activities

Reforms in Regulation

Results

Easier objectives’ implementation and therefore strengthening the democracy in decision-making

1.6. Promoting internal responsibility

Significance

Evaluation of UKIM action

Activity

Creating an academic debate throughout involvement of research results and students

2.1. Commercialization of product-knowledge

Significance The globalization imposes new forms of

product-knowledge and new approaches for organizing academic work

Activity Introducing new study programs Result Society acquirement and fulfillment of the

labor market needs

2.2. Surpassing the obstacles due to the enlarged commercialization and international education

Significance Improving quality in education; Increasing mobilityActivities- International activities in compliance with the

agreed principles and essential values (joint programs, summer/winter universities) - Research and educational agreements - Involvement in regional networks of

communications and exchange

Results Going beyond the obstacles for mobility and the

role of citizens in higher education Promoting long-distance learning Short and intense programs for academic and

student exchange Involvement in project “Europe and learning” Promoting Centers of excellence in science and

technologies, innovations and economic modules

3.1. Surpassing the formal and legal obstacles for reorganization of IRO

Significance Elimination of all the obstacles existing in the UKIM Statute and

relevant laws in R. Macedonia and removal of the state band on employment in public administration

Activities Changes in the Statute of the University – introduction of new

organizational structure of IRO Negotiations with permission of the Government in order to

remove the obstacles of new staff employment (this activity should be also carried out for accomplishment of other objectives)

Preparing strategic plan for international cooperation(Direction for reorganization of IRO)

Result Operational plan adopted by the University

Senate with clearly defined new organizational structure of IRO as well as the time limit for establishment of this organization

3.2. Implementation of previous sub-objective results

Significance

Reorganization of IRO as foreseen in the operational plan

Result

New structure of IRO able to respond to every requirement of the faculties and institutes - members of UKIM

4.1. University internationalizationSignificance

Internationalization of contents and university activities

4.1. University internationalizationActivities Internationalization of university staff throughout individual

training and mobility Increasing the number of foreign teachers and initiation of new

mobilities Increasing the number of courses realized in foreign languages. Intensification of international cooperation towards cooperation

with university with higher standards as possible Augmentation of research funds throughout improved access to

information and creation of research funds support service Annual planning of exchange of any kind Improvement of language and computer skills of existing staff Organization of Macedonian language courses for foreign

students Study program marketing

4.1. University internationalization

Results Internationalized university Internationalization of the researcher and his

increased efficiency Improvement of quality level in education

Intensification of student and academic mobility Augmentation of number of foreign students

Extension of finances for research Academic staff able to respond to the challenges of

European enlargement and globalization

4.2. Academic staff mobility SignificanceExchange of professors and researchers Activities- Scheduling the in-coming and out-going lecturers

within the curricula planning- Preparing annual report on mobility useful for

planning future exchanges - Improved access to EU and other funds for exchange

throughout involvement in university networks- Creation of support service for lecturers and

researchers involved in mobility- Preparing a model for compensation of faculties

expenses due to long-term mobility

4.2. Academic staff mobility

Results Reaching a balance between the in-coming and

out-going academic staff Quality improvement in educational process Exchange of Know-how Improved preconditions for study programs

marketing Responding to the challenges of Europeanization

and internationalization of higher education globalization

4.3. Student mobility Activities Integrating student mobility in the process of planning

the university activities and faculties separately Student mobility is promoted throughout bilateral

agreements and university networks Improving access to European and other funds Completed credit transfer in compliance with

previously approved study plan Separated diploma supplement for student mobility Organization of summer universities Creation of student mobility service to support

exchanged students

4.3. Student mobility

Results Increasing the number of UKIM students that

have had at least one semester study stay at foreign university toward university having standards as higher as possible

Improvement of quality of education that students will obtain

Developing student skills Producing human resources that will compete

equally on the labor market

4.4. Foreign studentsSignificance Enrollment of foreign citizens as students on

undergraduate and postgraduate studies in UKIM Activities- Developing existing courses on foreign language and

introducing new courses on Macedonian language for foreign students

- The increased financial need caused by intensification of in coming student mobility will be considered during the negotiations with the government

- Introduction of on-line application- Creation of service for supporting and advising foreign

students

4.4. Foreign students

Results Increasing the number of foreign students More efficient marketing Exchange of culture

THANK YOUHVALAMERCI