Page 9 - The-Academic-value-of-mobility-2018

Focus on guidance and intended learning

outcomes
Many measures have been implemented, nationally and locally, at Sweden’s HEIs
to increase the number of outward exchange students, but there is still a signi-
ficant imbalance in exchange levels. Many more students come to Swedish HEIs
than travel out.

Based on studies of motivations and barriers to mobility, as well as experience
exchanges with Finnish and Dutch HEIs and authorities, the project has developed
a number of proposals for measures that focus on study guidance and the struc-
ture and content of courses and programmes, particularly the internationalisation
of intended learning outcomes. There are, of course, other aspects that are also
important in encouraging students to participate in exchanges, but they are not
in focus here.

The report variously uses the terms student exchange, exchange and mobility
in the meaning of a period abroad as part of a course or programme orga­
nised by the home HEI. The report also uses the abbreviation HEI for higher
3
education institution.

Project organisation

The project was led by Anders Ahlstrand and Annika Ghafoori at UHR. UHR linked
an external project group to the project, consisting of people with broad exper-
ience of Swedish higher education. The project managers developed the recom-
mendations in this report together with the project group. In addition to the
external project group, the project was also supported by an internal reference
group.

A number of recommendations proposed by the project have been tested by pilot
projects at seven HEIs during the project period. The purpose of the pilot projects
was to test whether the recommendations are feasible and whether it is reason-
able to assume that they have the potential to increase the number of outward
exchange students. (Reports from the pilot projects can be read in the separate
appendix section).

The members of the project organisation and the pilot projects are listed under
the heading of Project Organisation.

3 This may be studying on a programme via courses at an HEI or through a period at a
workplace. A period at a workplace is called a placement.

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