Extend Horizons: Internationalisation in the Study Programme: Students and Staff

 

The study programme pursues an internationalisation policy vis-a-vis students and staff. It invests in international initiatives in the curriculum, student mobility, and Internationalisation@Home experiences. This helps students develop their international and cultural competencies.

What?

Ghent University study programmes introduce their students and teaching staff to international perspectives. Programme Committees pursue a suitable education policy which includes and adheres to the university-wide and (if relevant) faculty vision on internationalisation. Programme Committees determine which international and intercultural competencies their graduates should acquire and make this possible by giving the entire curriculum an international dimension.  Programme Committees capitalise on the international and intercultural experiences of the teaching staff as much as possible. This is further enhanced by staff mobility (such as guest lectures abroad) and complemented with incoming guest lecturers.  

To develop a curriculum with an international dimension, it is important to incorporate international and intercultural learning opportunities logically and sequentially through the stepping stone principle.  After all, internationalisation is so much more than mere outgoing student mobility.  To give every student a chance to acquire international and intercultural competencies, approachable Internationalisation@Home initiatives should be an essential part of the curriculum. So-called windows of opportunity in the curriculum facilitate outgoing student mobility, ranging from short-term mobility like blended intensive programmes to longer-term exchanges like studying abroad, international work placement or a research stay abroad (e.g. in the context of the Master's dissertation). Yet another way to stimulate internationalisation for study programmes is to participate in a joint programme or issue double/joint degrees. In short, it is the study programme’s responsibility to establish and maintain international partnerships to incorporate the international dimension into their curriculum.  

Why?

In Ghent University’s dynamic education context, our six strategic education objectives are important guiding principles for making choices in the education policy area, both now and in the future. At Ghent University, we continuously benchmark our education (-related ambitions) against these objectives. In so doing, we always deliver state-of-the-art education.  

At Ghent University, each study programme is expected to align with and implement our six strategic education objectives. One of these objectives is ‘Extend Horizons’, which is implemented in the form of international learning opportunities in the curriculum for all students. 

 

International experiences are an opportunity for students and staff to acquire international and intercultural competencies, which are indispensable in today’s globalised and diverse society and labour market. An international dimension not only enhances the quality of education, it also heightens the study programme’s visibility and appeal to various stakeholders.  

UGent Practices

Last modified Sept. 2, 2024, 3:07 p.m.