View source for IRIS - Internationalisation through Research Activities

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<b>Category of recipe: </b>Internationalisation through research activities, Internationalisation through partnerships. <br/>
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<b>Objective: </b>Developing global competence / employability skills, improving academic quality / offer, Attracting International students.  <br/>
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<b>Short description of the recipe</b> <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] The IRIS programme fosters international research collaboration by enabling students to engage in mobility within partner institutions (sister schools) through joint research projects. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Sister schools refer to institutions with the same scientific disciplines or degree programmes, such as Pharmacy or Medicinal Biotechnology, and with ongoing research projects in similar fields. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] The programme is designed for final-year undergraduate (typically 3rd or 4th-year students) or master’s (2nd-year) students, particularly those working on a thesis or research project that can be developed in a lab or within an active investigation. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Students, IRIS coordinators, and representatives from the sister schools formalise participation through an international research agreement, ensuring alignment with both institutions' academic priorities. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Each year, participating institutions provide a list of available research projects. Students apply by submitting a research proposal (3–4 pages) outlining project objectives and expected outcomes. <br/>
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<b>Level of difficulty</b>: Advanced <br/>
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<b>Calendar and time needed </b> <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Opening of the IRIS programme in each academic year (December/January) <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Duration of the programme for participants: Either the 1st or 2nd semester, or up to 12 months (similar to an internship model). <br/>
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<b>Cost summary: </b>€ or €€ <br/>
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<b>Academic recognition </b> <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Recognition through ECTS credits (if integrated into a curricular unit).<br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Alternatively, students receive a certificate of participation, detailing the number of research hours completed.<br/>
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<b>Language and level required: </b>Minimum B1 level in English. <br/>
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<b>Roles and Responsibilities </b> <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Students (Graduating undergraduates or master’s students) <br/>
<ul>
<li>Apply for the IRIS programme through the UNITA or mobility office.</li>
<li>Engage in virtual and physical mobility components as outlined in the research agreement.</li>
<li>Selection occurs in the year prior to participation, allowing students to plan their research project in advance and secure placement in a suitable institution.</li>
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[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Academic coordinator <br/>
<ul>
<li>In consultation with the responsible person for each research project:</li>
<li>Discuss with students the best opportunities for developing their research project.</li>
<li>For curricular research projects or internships, contact Erasmus coordinators at the partner institution.</li>
<li>For master's students or independent researchers, collaborate with the Erasmus coordinator, Head of Degree Programme, and research lab supervisor to finalise placements.</li>
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[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Erasmus Coordinator at Partner Institution
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<li>Reviews student applications and facilitates research agreements.</li>
<li>Ensures administrative compliance for student mobility.</li>
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[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] UNITA Office / Mobility Office
<ul>
<li>Manages student applications and ensures compliance with international mobility agreements.</li>
<li>Guides students through administrative and logistical procedures.</li>
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[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Advisor in Internationalisation (if available)
<ul>
<li>Ensures IRIS aligns with the university’s global research strategy.</li>
<li>Provides institutional guidance on international research partnerships.</li>
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[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Pedagogical Engineers (if available)
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<li>Support the development of digital tools and frameworks for international research training.</li>
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<b>Ingredients </b> <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Signed agreement for research internationalisation under the IRIS programme. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Virtual component prior to physical mobility, allowing students to plan research activities collaboratively. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Physical mobility for experimental or laboratory-based research at the host institution. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Learning Agreement signed by all participating institutions and students. <br/>
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<b>Recipe steps </b> <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Step 1: Opening of the IRIS programme in each academic year (December/January) <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Step 2: Publication of the list of available projects and sister institutions (December/January) <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Step 3: Applying to the IRIS program (February) – prior to the academic year in which the investigation will be made <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Step 4: Analysis of the applications (March) <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Step 5: Publication of student selection results (April) <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Step 6: Virtual mobility (May – 1st semester or November – 2nd semester) <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Step 7: Physical mobility (September–February: 1st semester / February–July: 2nd semester) <br/>
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<b>Budget description</b> <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Research activities are included in the ongoing investigation projects available in each sister school. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Costs are supported by each receiving institution or project. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Costs related to programmed and authorised research activities can be supported by grants, if available. <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Students will not bear the cost of any research activity. <br/>
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== Non-mandatory items ==
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Resources: (tutorial/template documents, videos, Flash-learns, international skills frameworks, etc.) <br/>
<ul>
<li>Re-UNITA Project: Sharing Research Infrastructures  
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<li>Facilitates research exchanges across UNITA partner universities.  </li>
<li>Enables researchers to access laboratory equipment at partner institutions.  </li>
<li>Encourages cost-sharing and collaboration in research projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] For more information: https://research.univ-unita.eu/en/support-for-researchers/shared-research-infrastructures.html <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Successful examples of this recipe <br/>
[[File:Square_green.png|10px|link=|baseline]] Instituto Politécnico da Guarda: At IPG, students of Pharmacy and Medicinal Biotechnology have participated in research mobility at institutions in Spain and Italy. <br/>
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[[Category:Recipes]]