Univeristy Of South-Eastern Norway
USN
The University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) is the country’s newest University.
ID: 021833522147-02
Lobbying Activity
Response to Multiannual Financial Framework: Erasmus Programme 2021-2027
3 Aug 2018
USN comments are the following:
1. Positive that the budget is increased, especially in the order of the budget size (although much of the increase is probably on the lower education level).
2. Strengthening the possibilities for mobility for disadvantaged students is important as mobility is likely to be more difficult for this group. Better conditions will give disadvantaged students a greater opportunity for mobility. Employers in general emphasize mobility in the programmes and the attributes acquired through mobility by appointment, it is important that Erasmus + does not maintain and reinforce structural inequalities in the workplace.
3. Simplification of the programme is for the good, but it is important that the words are followed up by action. Also in the previous programme period (2014-20) the ambition was to reduce the administrative burden, however the opposite occurred. No specific measures have been outlined to reduce the workload. It is important that attention will be paid to this issue and that concrete measures will be taken, so that the institutions can use their resources as effectively as possible.
4. There is much focus on Key Action 1: Mobility. It is important that Key Action 2- Cooperation also will be significantly strengthened and that the budget increase leads to the implementation of high-quality cooperation projects between European players. This is also important for the purpose of strengthening the link between research and education (Horizon Europe and Erasmus +), as well as strengthening institutional cooperation in Europe.
5. The goal of strengthening language teaching, and for all Europeans to be able to speak two foreign languages, implies that this issue is emphasized stronger than in the current programme. Could the EU's language tests and language courses become more available to students of all levels without license requirements?
6. The proposal to strengthen the international dimension (cooperation with third country / partner country) is positive. However, it is important to look at the funding/scholarships, and not just the number of candidates, to insure that the students from partner countries actually have enough funding to study in Europe.
There are furthermore details that we would like more information on. Some can be found in other policy documents or online. We expected that the following details will be clarified before a new program is launched, included:
- Small-scale partnerships
- Discover EU (short-term trips for 18-year-olds to other EU countries by train)
- European Universities
- Types of simplifications concerning the administration of the programme.
- How to strengthen the opportunities for disadvantaged students, in detail.
- How cooperation with third countries should be strengthened.
- The importance of combating climate change has been said to be integrated into the program. How?
- There are a number of critical areas (climate, clean energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, data analysis, art and design subjects). How does the Commission intend to strengthen these areas specifically through Erasmus +?
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