EU project on higher education modernization discussed at VSTU
A Republican seminar on informing about TEMPUS programs in the Republic of Belarus was held at the Vitebsk State Technological University. One of the longest-running EU projects (it turned 21 in 2012) is aimed at supporting the modernization of higher education in partner countries from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Western Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Our country has been participating in these programs since 1994. During this time, we have been part of consortia for 51 projects. Currently, 17 projects are being implemented in the republic.
The seminar was attended by the First Deputy Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Zhuk, Director of the Main Information and Analytical Center of the Ministry of Education, TEMPUS program coordinator in Belarus Nikolai Listopad, Head of the Education Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Ivan Shchurok, and representatives of universities from Vitebsk and Mogilev regions.
As reported by the Vice-Rector for Scientific Work of VSTU Elena Vankevich, based on the results of the 5th call for proposals in 2012, the European Commission TEMPUS selected 8 projects, including one with the participation of the technological university on the topic "Leadership and Change Management in Higher Education" (lead organization – International University College, Dobrich, Bulgaria). In total, 29 universities from 11 countries are involved in it. This year, the last, 6th call for proposals for these programs has been announced. Starting from 2014, they will be smoothly transformed into a more general program in terms of cooperation directions and stakeholder involvement, ERASMUS for ALL.