Boost faculty members' pedagogical internationalisation

Category of recipe: Internationalisation through development of international skills for staff members.

Objective: Academic, professional, and personal growth.

Short description: Incorporating the international dimension into the competency framework of professors and Heads of Programmes, fostering stronger international networks, collaborations, and improved teaching practices.

Academic recognition: Recognition of international skills within the institution’s internal staff evaluation system. Professors' internationalisation efforts can be acknowledged through participation in existing academic career development frameworks, including certified international activities such as congresses, publications, and collaborative research, possibly formalised through bilateral agreements (MOUs). When applicable, open digital badges (e.g., BadgEd) or equivalent structured recognition systems may complement this recognition.

Level of difficulty: Advanced

Calendar and time needed: Ongoing throughout the academic year, with specific activities depending on fairs and conference schedules and project timelines.

Cost summary: €€€

Language and level required: Advanced level of English for effective participation in international conferences, projects, and networks.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Professors:

Participation in international events: Engage in relevant international fairs, workshops, and conferences to expand professional networks and explore collaborative opportunities.
Virtual engagement and collaboration: Facilitate virtual classroom interactions, enabling students to work with international peers and gain a global perspective.
Development of educational innovation projects: Collaborate with international partners on projects that introduce new methodologies and practices to enhance educational quality. This may involve using online platforms (e.g., UNITA Moodle, Coursera for Campus, edX), digital collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Miro, Padlet), or implementing innovative approaches such as flipped classrooms, hybrid learning, and co-teaching.
Leverage open-access repositories and institutional digital libraries for knowledge-sharing and content development.

Heads of Programmes:

Establishment of a recognition system: Develop a framework to formally recognize faculty members who engage in internationalisation activities, encouraging continued participation.
Resource allocation and support: Assist faculty in accessing institutional funds and resources to participate in internationalisation activities.
Monitoring and reporting: Track and evaluate the impact of internationalisation efforts, providing insights and reports to support programme improvement.

International Relations Office:

Guidance and administrative support: Offer faculty information on available funding, international partnerships, and administrative procedures for international activities.
Partnership development: Facilitate connections with international universities to foster collaborative projects and exchange opportunities.
Promotion: Promote internationalisation activities and opportunities to encourage faculty involvement.

Advisor in Internationalisation (if there is such a person in the university): Supports faculty members in aligning internationalisation efforts with institutional strategies and identifying partnership opportunities.
Pedagogical Engineers (if there is such a person in the university): Assist in integrating innovative teaching methodologies and digital learning tools into internationalised pedagogical practices.

Ingredients:
A selection of international education fairs, workshops, and conferences.
A structured plan for integrating educational innovation projects with international partners.
Membership in international educational and professional associations (e.g., European Association for International Education, NAFSA).
Opportunities to attend and present at international conferences and workshops.
Implementation of digital tools for virtual collaboration and international student engagement.
A recognition plan for internationalisation achievements.

Recipe steps:
Step 1: Preparation for international engagement

Identify relevant international fairs, workshops, and conferences aligned with institutional goals.
Secure institutional approval for faculty participation, including necessary funding and administrative support.
Define specific objectives for each activity, such as expanding networks, presenting research, or collaborating on teaching practices.
Confirm professors’ availability and ensure alignment with academic schedules.

Step 2: Building collaborative partnerships

Identify and connect with partner institutions.
Establish partnerships by leveraging existing networks and participating in international events (e.g., UNITA’s matching events).
Collaborate with partners to define project objectives, scope, and timeline.
Assign one project leader per institution to coordinate faculty involvement and maintain communication with partners.
Plan a single in-person block period for activities, ranging from 5 to 30 days.

Step 3: Development of educational innovation projects

Design collaborative projects with international partners focused on educational innovation (e.g., new methodologies, digital tools).
Ensure projects are structured to involve students from each institution, promoting intercultural collaboration.
Set a schedule of virtual collaboration sessions using tools like UNITA Moodle or Office 365.
Develop clear project documentation, including objectives, roles, and expected outcomes.
Allocate resources and obtain necessary equipment or materials for virtual and in-person project components.

Step 4: Implementation of virtual collaboration in classrooms

Train professors and students on using virtual collaboration tools for international group projects.
Incorporate structured virtual assignments, such as group discussions or joint presentations, into course curricula.
Monitor virtual interactions and collect feedback from participants to refine the experience.
Evaluate project outcomes and share best practices with other professors to enhance future international collaboration.

Budget description: Costs associated with registration, travel, accommodation, and meals during visits. Some grants or institutional funds may be available.