EU-Canada: towards increasing cooperation in higher education, training and youth

Less than a year after the signature of a new eight-year EU-Canada agreement in higher education, vocational training and youth^[1], the European Commission and the Canadian authorities are launching 11 new transatlantic cooperation projects as of October 2007. These three-year projects will be financed to develop joint study programmes as well as mobility schemes for 650 European and Canadian students and academic staff members. The amount of € 1.4 million invested by the European Commission in the European part of the consortium will be matched by the Canadian government for the transatlantic partners.

Ján Figel', European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, said: "These projects are the fruits of our collaboration with our Canadian partners. They are a good example of what this kind of educational co-operation can produce: not only do they contribute to making our education systems more open and competitive, but they also help promote mutual understanding between our peoples."

This year, the European Commission is funding 11 new student-centred projects. The amount of € 1.4 million from the European Commission will be matched by the Canadian authorities. All these projects are transatlantic partnerships between at least four higher education institutions (a minimum of two institutions from Europe and two from Canada) and/or vocational training organisations. They all involve transatlantic mobility of students in the framework of jointly designed study/training programmes, underpinned by appropriate arrangements for mutual credit recognition, language and cultural preparation, and the necessary services and facilities.

The projects last for three years, and their aim is to develop joint study programmes as well as mobility schemes for 650 European and Canadian students and academic staff members. The projects will cover a number of important and innovative areas such as molecular chemistry, bioenergy, multi-agent robotics, safety and security management as well as food science and technology. Two of the projects focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, and one project concentrates on enhancing educational and employment opportunities for disabled people.

This year's project applications were reviewed by independent experts in Europe and Canada according to jointly established guidelines. In total, the 11 selected projects involve 30 European universities/training institutions from 15 Member States^[2] and 31 Canadian universities/training institutions from nine provinces^[3]. Member States most represented in these consortia are France (five), the United Kingdom (four), and Germany as well as Ireland (three participating institutions each).^[4]

Since the inception of the programme in 1995, some 280 European and Canadian institutions have participated in 42 joint projects. More than 3 000 students have so far spent a transatlantic study period in Europe or Canada.

The EU-Canada programme is administered jointly by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, on behalf of the European Commission, and by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), in conjunction with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
More about the EU-Canada programme:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/eu-canada/index_en.html
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/extcoop/canada/index_en.htm

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/lssd/iam/european/purpose.shtml

Annex: EU-Canada Joint Selection List 2007 – Descriptions of Projects
Annex: EU-Canada Joint Selection List 2007 – Descriptions of Projects

[ Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED ] [ Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED ]
EUROPEAN UNION

Transatlantic Exchange Partnerships

EU-Canada co-operation in higher education, training and youth

Joint selection 2007 – Description of selected projects

Application no. CANTEP 136415	Advocacy and Leadership: Enhancing educational and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities
Project Summary: This project combines both a longer programme of study (transcontinental– student mobility for 40 Canadian and 40 European students) as well as the short intensive programme. This programme will have at its centre a global framework for defining and working within the disabilities field. Project deliverables are two fold: student centred and institutional. Institutional deliverables will include an internationally developed internship credit course available to each host institution for continuation after the life of the project. This will include a manual and resource package. Project period : October 2007 – September 2010 EU funding: € 122000
EU lead institution: Universiteit Gent EU Project coordinator: Geert VAN HOVE Vakgroep Orthopedagogiek – Department Orthopedagogics Universiteit Gent – Vakgroep Orthopedagogiek Henri Dunantlaan 2 B 9000 GENT - Belgium tel.: +32 / 9 / 2646465or +31/13/4662178 Geert.vanhove @ugent.be EU partner institutions: Bedford College of Further Education, UK Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences, FI		Canada lead institution: Brock University Canada Project coordinator: Sheila Bennett, Ed.D. Faculty of Education Pre Service Education 500 Glenridge Avenue St. Catharines, ON - Canada L2S 3A1 905.688.5550 Sheila.bennett@brocku.ca or Tiffany.Gallagher@brocku.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136416	The EU-Canada Conflict Analysis And Resolution Program: A Cross-Cultural, Transdisciplinary Experiment In Peace-Making and Peace-Building
Project Summary: Future leaders in a wide variety of fields must have strong conflict-resolution, peace-building, and negotiating skills to deal with the frequent disputes that arise within and among families, communities, businesses, nations, and governments. This interdisciplinary project will overcome distance and culture to assist student participants (18 per region; 36 in total) in jointly developing the ability to understand and analyze various types of conflict and to create promising strategies for resolving them. EU funding: € 108,000
EU lead institution: University of Ulster EU Project coordinator: Paul Arthur History and International Affairs School of History and International Affairs, Magee Campus, Londonderry BT48 7JL, Northern Ireland +44 /(0) 28 71375514 pj.arthur@ulster.ac.uk EU partner institutions: The University of Dublin, Trinity College IE Univerza v Ljubljani, SI		Canada lead institution: University of Manitoba Canada Project coordinator: Byrne, SeanvArthur Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice +(204) 474-7979 Sean_Byrne@umanitoba.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136419	EUCAP – European-Canadian Partnership in Management Studies
Project Summary: The project will strengthen the transatlantic relationships among five of the top ranked European and Canadian universities, each representing the highest degree of excellence in the fields of business administration and management. During the 3 year lifespan of the project, EUCAP will consolidate a joint study program, improve the transatlantic students’ mobility by establishing 48 funded and 38 non-funded transatlantic exchange opportunities to their top students. EU funding: € 138000
EU lead institution: Università Commerciale “Luigi Bocconi” EU Project coordinator:Candotti Laura Via Sarfatti 25 20136 Milan Italy +39 / 02 / 5836 2247 laura.candotti@unibocconi.it EU partner institutions: Fundación ESADE, ES Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, FR		Canada lead institution: Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario Canada Project coordinator: Sharp David Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario 1151 Richmond St. London ON N6A 3K7 +1 / 519 / 661 3945 dsharp@ivey.uwo.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136421	THE FOOD LINK - Quality Systems, Safety and International Trade
Project Summary: The study programme is in the area of food science and technology. Students will have the opportunity to travel to an international country for a full semester and receive education that will be accredited toward their diploma/degree at their home institution. They will register for a full semester (4 months) of courses and he taught in a whole new perspective in addition to being immersed in a new culture. Graduate students in the partner institutions will have the opportunity to conduct research at an international institution in a food-related area. Depending on their research goals and objectives, their stay could run from a few weeks to 4 months. A work term/placement component will also be included in this project. International work placements with industry will be available for duration of up to 4 months. EU funding: € 133000
EU lead institution: Cork Institute of Technology EU Project coordinator: Gilroy Deirdre Department of Biological Sciences Rossa Ave. Bishopstown, Cork – Ireland +353/21/4326882 Deirdre.gilroy@cit.ie EU partner institutions: University of Nottingham, UK University of Copenhagen, DK		Canada lead institution: Memorial University of Newfoundland through its Fisheries and Marine Institute Canada Project coordinator: Bonnell Lesley School of Fisheries 155 Ridge Road, St. John's, NL, Canada Lesley.Bonnell@mi.mun.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136423	EXSTRA- Expansion of Strategic Markets in Canada and the European Union
Project Summary: the expansion of Strategic Markets in Canada and the EU project has been established to develop business graduates who have a cross-cultural understanding of the diverse issues facing the countries of Canada, Austria, France and Netherlands. The 63 students will develop cross-cultural team expertise by their involvement in project courses which will require them to work in combined European/Canadian teams to research and explore real life problems of strategic expansion by Small and Medium Enterprises companies in the hosting region. EU funding: € 138000
EU lead institution: FH Wien, Studiengänge der WKW, Vienna EU Project coordinator: Elena Domaschkina Center for International Education and Mobility Währinger Gürtel 97, Wien 1180 Austria +1/43/47677367 Elena.domaschkina@fh-wien.ac.at EU partner institutions: Hogeschool Zeeland University of Applied Sciences, NL Ecole de Management De Normandie, FR		Canada lead institution: Mount Royal College Canada Project coordinator: MacDonald Dianne International Education 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W. Calgary, AB Canada T3 E 6K6 +001/403/4406791 dmacdonald@mtroyal.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136427	Student Exchange Programme in Human Security (SEPHS)
Project Summary: The SEPHS aims to create an opportunity for 48 Canadian and European undergraduate students to deepen their knowledge and sensibility in the field of human security through a transatlantic mobility programme. Outcome of the project will be the creation of human capabilities able to meet new challenges in the field of human security through their international education and experience as well as their intercultural approach EU funding: € 138000
EU lead institution: Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz EU Project coordinator: Benedek Wolfgang Institute of International Law and International Relations Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz Universitaetstrasse 15/A4 A-8010 Graz Austria +43 316 3803411 wolfgang.benedek@uni-graz.at EU partner institutions: Universität Duisburg-Essen, DE Univerza v Ljubljani, SI		Canada lead institution: Université du Québec à Montréal Canada Project coordinator: Roussel Stéphane Département de science politique Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville Montréal (Québec) Canada H3C 3P8 1 514-987-3000 (987-4564) roussel.stephane@uqam.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136429	M-CAPSS: Marine Crew and Passenger Safety and Security
Project Summary: The project focuses on the development of STCW* 95 compliant common courses in Safety, Security, Crowd and Crisis Management. Memoranda of Agreement will underpin 60 student exchanges during the life of the project between the participating institutions. Staff teaching assignments will support the curriculum development and student mobility activities. The pooling of resources will include the development of limited web-based materials to support staff and students in course delivery. EU funding: € 120000
EU lead institution: Cork Institute of Technology EU Project coordinator: Delaney Michael Rossa Ave Bishopstown Cork Ireland +353 / 21 / 4326309 michael.delaney@cit.ie EU partner institutions: Maritiem Instituut Willem Barentsz (Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden), NL Ecole Nationale de la Marine Marchande de Nantes, FR		Canada lead institution: Memorial University of Newfoundland Canada Project coordinator: Dutton Catherine School of Maritime Studies PO Box 4920 St. John’s Newfoundland Canada A1C 5R3 +001 / 709 /778 / 0361 Catherine.Dutton@mi.mun.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136431	Control and Coordination of Multi-Agent Robotic Systems (C&CofMARS)
Project Summary: Two Canadian and two EU universities have decided that they make joint efforts to set up a student centred international collaboration related to the control and coordination of multi-agent systems. Based on the similar research and educational profile of the participants with specialization in the field of robotics and multiagent systems, a student exchange programme helps the students to take part in a common educational training related to a new branch of robotics and to implement common multi-agent system such as robot soccer and robot hockey team. Since credit recognition is mutually possible, the project offers mobility for 32 students during the 3 academic years which is sufficient to form an EU-Canada team for popular international student competitions in the field of robotics. EU funding: € 116000
EU lead institution: Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem EU Project coordinator: István Harmati Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics Magyar tudósok krt. 2. H1117 Budapest Hungary +36 1 463 2087 harmati@iit.bme.hu EU partner institutions: Universitatea Sapientia, RO		Canada lead institution: Simon Fraser University Canada Project coordinator: Payandeh Shahram School of Engineering Science/Simon Fraser University 8888 University drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6 +604 / 291 / 4290 shahram@ensc.sfu.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136432	Managing our Forests for Bioenergy
Project Summary: The use of forest biomass for bioenergy fuel is gaining importance in Europe and Canada. Awareness of the potential impact of increased harvest levels of forest biomass and research into its effects on forest ecosystem function is needed. This project will create an opportunity for forest resource management programs at participating post secondary institutions in Canada and Europe to improve their programs and to disseminate information on the use of forest biomass for the production of energy and/or biofuels. The project will allow for the mobility of 70 Canadian and 50 European students during the term of the consortia and will establish long-term, collaborative relationships between partner institutions in Canada, Hungary and Italy. EU funding: € 138000
EU lead institution: Nyugat-Magyarországi Egyetem EU Project coordinator: JAGER ,Laszlo Bajcsy- Zs. str. 4 H-9400 Sopron Hungary + 36/99/518-682 jagerla @emk.nyme.hu EU partner institutions: Università degli Studi di Padova, IT		Canada lead institution: Malaspina University-College Canada Project coordinator: Vallee, Michel University-College Professor 900 Fifth Street Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S% 1-250-753-3245 Local 2340 vallee @mala.bc.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136439	JCEMolChem: Joint Curriculum for Excellence in Molecular Chemistry
Project Summary: The Joint Curriculum for Excellence in Molecular Chemistry project aims to develop a predefined study program that brings together lectures and research training at the highest level through transatlantic cooperation of five top universities. It will enable the exchange of 60 students at the undergraduate and graduate level, and will provide them profound scientific knowledge together with unique methodological abilities and social skills. As a result, they will become competent actors in research and development of sustainable chemistry. Staff exchange will enrich the local chemistry programs. EU funding: € 138000
EU lead institution: Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 EU Project coordinator: HASENKNOPF Bernold Associate professor, Vice-director of the Master of Chemistry Case courier 42 4 place Jussieu - 75252 Paris cedex 05 France +33 / 1 44 27 30 34 ou +33 / 1 44 27 30 33 bernold.hasenknopf@upmc.fr EU partner institutions: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, DE University of Strathclyde, UK		Canada lead institution: University of Ottawa Canada Project coordinator: St-AMANT Alain Department of Chemistry 10 Marie Curie Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 +1 / 613 / 562 5769 Alain.St-Amant@uottawa.ca

Application no. CANTEP 136445	*INTERPARSE: International Trade Education in Partnership with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises*
Project Summary: This project will provide international trade education by incorporating import/export projects into the business curriculum. Local firms will participate and students in Canada and Europe will work together to import and export goods and services. Sixty students will move between Canada and Europe, but several hundred more will have rich international experiences as mixed teams of Canadian and European students on both sides of the Atlantic work together on actual trade projects using the full range of modern technologies and techniques. EU funding: € 138000
EU lead institution: Szkoła Główna Handlowa w Warszawie EU Project coordinator: Piotr Płoszajski Collegium of Management and Finance, Department of Management Theory Al. Niepodległoś +48/22/5649340 estokl@sgh.waw.pl ou mpinde@sgh.waw.pl EU partner institutions: International School of Management, DE Université Paris13, Faculté de Sciences économique et de Gestion, FR		Canada lead institution: North Island College Canada Project coordinator: Robinson Nicholas 1685 South Dogwood Street Campbell River, BC V9W 8C1 +250/923/9758 Nick.robinson@nic.bc.ca

^[1] Cf. IP/06/1684.

^[2] Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and United Kingdom.

^[3] Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

^[4] For the remainder: Austria, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovenia each with two participating institutions; Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Poland and Romania each with one participating institution.