Student Exchange Programme in Human Security (SEPHS) A EU-Canada (TEP) programme

Student Exchange Programme in Human Security (SEPHS)

A EU-Canada (TEP) programme1/10/2007-30/09/2010

Univ. of Duisburg-Essen (DE), Univ. of Ljubljana (SI), Univ. of Graz (AT), Univ. of Winnipeg (CA), Univ. du Québec à Montréal (CA)

Monday, 9 February 2009, 13h00-17h00

Federal Ministry of Science and Research, Minoritenplatz 5, 1010 Vienna

Matthias C. Kettemann

Assistant to Prof. Wolfgang Benedek (European project leader)Institute of International Law and International Relations

University of Graz

Overview

• Student Exchange Programme in Human Security

• Challenges

• Solutions

• Summary

Student Exchange Programme in Human Security

• Conceptual background

- human security as a new concept focusing on individuals and not on states (e.g., political, foods security in lieu of military security)

- Canada and Austria are promotors of the concept of human security

• Participants: 48 Canadian and European undergraduate students

• Goals

- students should deepen their knowledge in the field of human security through a transatlantic mobility programme

- creation of human security capabilities

- Intensification of the transatlantic cooperation between scientists

Student Exchange Programme in Human Security

• original partner universities

- University of Duisburg-Essen (DE)

- University of Ljubljana (SI)

- University of Graz (AT) (European lead partner)

- University of British Columbia, Vancouver (CA)

- University of Winnipeg (CA)

- Université du Québec à Montréal (CA) (Canadian lead partner)

Challenges

• Due to internal restructuring, UBC Vancouver withdrew.

• The envisaged number of participating students proved too high.

• Short-time stays proved to be unattractive.

• Law faculties proved to be less attractive for political science students.

Challenges

• financial limits to human security curricula

• effective communication between six project partners

• Pre-departure orientation

• language preparation for incoming students

• attractivity of European project partners

Solutions

• realist project planning before submisison to the EU/EACEA

• establishment of an effective, output-oriented working relationship between the European and the Canadian project partner

• inclusion of the departments of international relations in all discussions regarding admission

• administrative assistant as a support for the academic coordinator

Solutions

• drafting of a holistic Memorandum of Understanding within the first six months including, inter alia

- Agreement on credit transfer- Agreement on tuition and fees- Agreement on the student recruitment process- Agreement on internships

• regular, professionally-prepared high-level consortium meetings and regular communication between all project partners

• flexibility regarding project planning- by the universities- by the EU/EACEA

Solutions

• professional pre-departure orientation by natives/former mobility students

• Welcome Guide for incoming students and promotion package for partner universities during the application process

Summary

• EU-sponsored transatlantic programmes are an exciting opportunity for deepening transatlantic relations and furthering excellence in research and teaching

• There are three keys to a successful transatlantic project:

1) Professional pre-submission planning

2) Constructive and continous communication within the consortium and with the EU

3) Effective and efficient project management

Any questions?

Further enquiries:

Mag. Matthias C. Kettemann

Institut für Völkerrecht und Internationale BeziehungenKarl-Franzens-Universität Graz

Universitätsstraße 15/A48010 Graz

matthias.kettemann@uni-graz.atwww.uni-graz.at/vrewww

T: 0316/380 6711