Internationalisation of Estonian higher education Helen Põllo Ministry

Internationalisation of Estonian higher education Helen Põllo Ministry of Education and Research 7. 12. 2007

Bologna Declaration two-tier were introduced in 2002/03 for specialist qualification legislation for the Diploma Supplement 2003 introducing state funded mobility schemes for students and young faculty members 2003 a decree on the correspondence of qualifications awarded under different qualification systems 2004 legalising the basis for recognition of foreign qualifications 2005

3+2 model “Bakalaureusekraad” (Bachelor) and “magistrikraad” (Master) This “new” bakalaureusekraad is not comparable to the “old” bakalaureusekraad. The new degree is a bachelor-level qualification. At this level, basic knowledge and skills of a speciality are obtained. Magister-study is devoted to in-depth preparation for the speciality and includes a narrow specialisation. The persons who hold a professional higher education diploma can also commence Master’s programmes at a university. The new two-tier structure applies to most disciplines, with the exception of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, architecture and civil engineering.

ECTS Used already today Obligatory Directly from 2009/2010 connected with learning outcomes

Higher education strategy 20062015 Aims of interationalisation: The national strategy comprising internationalisation of Estonian higher education shall be developed and implemented which foresees bringing of highly qualified specialists (teaching staff, top specialists in particular professions) to Estonia, supporting the mobility of our teaching staff and students, starting up study programmes that have been developed in cooperation with foreign higher education institutions, supporting studies of foreign students in Estonia. Widening multilingual Doctoral studies and participation of Estonian Doctoral students in international networks of Doctoral studies. A scheme will be initiated whereby every Doctoral student defending a degree at an Estonian university must learn/work abroad for up to one semester. The cost for the Doctoral student to study for a short period abroad will be covered for the universities from the resources allocated to Doctoral studies. Bringing foreign Doctoral students to Estonia will be supported, opening SCE student places to foreigners on the same basis as for Estonian residents. The system of Post Doctoral Studies will be implemented which is also open foreigners. The results and effect of the Kristjan Jaagu scholarship programme will be analysed and the prospective volume and organisational scheme will be developed for the programme.

Indicators of strategy proportion of permanent teaching staff positions to foreigners by 2015, at least 10 % proportion of foreign Doctoral students and post-doctoral students in Estonian universities by 2015, at least 3 % number of foreign students by 2015 – 2, 000, including the EU mobility programmes, number of full-time foreign students studying in Estonian higher education institutions by 2015, at least 2, 000 proportion of joint curricula.

3 areas targeted by Estonian higher education internationalization strategy (draft) Setting up facorable legal environment Internationalization of studies Sevelopment of support systems or internationalisation

Joint curricula Legal acts are prepared which will enable joint curricula and joint degrees and joint diplomas (2007)

Kristjan Jaagu Scholarship State scholarship program to support Estonian master and doctoral students in their studyes at foreign universities or assignments abroad of students and teaching stuff related to their studies or research. 9 460 000 eek and 212 supported in 2006 /2007

State commissioned study abroad State commission study places to foreing universities for doctoreates( 9 300 000 eek), 15 students supported in 2006/2007 Problem: applicatons on priority fields are decreasing 2006/2007 49 grant in total are given to doctorates studing abroad

Interational contracts Possibilities or full or part time studies in certain countries : e. g: India, Japan, Greece, France, Finland, Lithuania, Israel, Germany etc.

+ New scholarships, up to 10 annually Relative-native program

Scholarships for Ph. D studies for non-resident students The study grant equivalent to the standard public grants of Ph. D students is allocated to the grant holder. 2007/2008 is it 60 000 EEK (4 955 USD). In addition, a return travel to home once a year, a health insurance and a state fee for the residence permit during the nominal duration of the studies will be covered.

Some more. . . Using ESF possibilities to atract foreign doctorates and support the return of estonian researchers living abroad Participation in Erasmus, Tempus and Erasmus Mundus programmes Nord Plus inisiatives ETC. . . .

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