Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives

Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives Components of Internationalization and their Implementation at BTEU Prepared by Lyudmila MISNIKOVA and Tatsiana VALYNETS By results of the working tour to US and Inholland Belarus, Gomel 2012

Internationalization of education is the process of including different international aspects in research, teaching and administrative activities of universities. The process of internationalization of education entails structural changes both at the governmental/ministerial level and at the level of specific educational institutions.

Internationalization The process of internationalization involves: • Students: recruitment of foreign students, organization of exchange programmes, as well as individual student mobility • Professional and teaching staff: academic exchange, joint research programs, internships at foreign universities, joint training programs, organization of intensive courses and summer schools • Contents of training programs: new programs and courses that take into account the elements of intercultural communication and country specific studies, foreign languages (as the object of study and as the intermediate language in delivering courses), distance learning, use of new technologies

Internationalization • Issues of certification, recognition and assessment: issuing “double” diplomas (joint degrees), system of credits, recognition of qualifications, assessment of the quality of education • Governance issues and university management: units that may have the right to make decisions, international offices, administration at the level of faculties and departments, employment, promotion and development issues, international cooperation, exchange programs for administrators, management of labor and material resources, consulting and information services, the evaluation procedure, and infrastructure.

Internationalization Departments International Relations Department Directions of Activity on Internationalization Students Professional and teaching staff Issues of certification, recognition and assessment Contents of training programs University Administration Governance issues and university management Academic and Methodical Department

Internationalization However, the process of internationalization of the university depends on its special features and must be related and consistent with the mission of the university, its human and financial resources, material and technical resources, academic potential, number of students and other key components of the university strategic development plan.

International Relations Department is a separate structural unit that provides organization of international activity of the University in order to integrate in European and world educational system International Relations Department subordinates to the Vice-rector for Academic and Methodological Work Lyudmila Misnikova

Structure of IRD Head of IRD Assistants foreign students Assistant for international projects Assistant for keeping records Translator/ interpreter

Staff of IRD Head of IRD Assistant foreign students Anna Dudal Valynets Tatsiana Assistant foreign students Natalia Svechnikava Translator/intepreter Nina Yatsuk Assistant for International projects Aksana Smirnova Assistant for keeping records Maryna Labachova

Objectives of IRD q Implementation of the aims of the university in the sphere of quality within its powers, effective use of the Management Quality System documents q Establishing of effective and mutually beneficial partnerships with foreign institutions of higher education and other institutions q. Promotional activity aimed at recruiting foreign students q Organizational support of scientific and research projects implemented by the University

Functions of IRD q implements the goals and aims of the university administration in the sphere of quality within its powers q establishes, maintains and develops treaty relations with foreign institutions of higher education and other organizations q defines the guidelines of the University international policy, coordinates international activities of the University units q learns and disseminates domestic and foreign experience of international cooperation

Functions of IRD Staff Head of IRD • Organisation and coordination of the university international activities • Guidance of the work of the International Relations Department staff and managers for international activity • Development of the international activity guidelines of the University • Development and control over the execution of the Plan of International Activity Assistants foreign students • • Activity aimed at recruiting foreign citizens to study at the University Preparing invitation letters and entry/exit visas Preparing documents for registering foreign students Making reports on foreign students upon request of other departments and organisations

Functions of IRD Staff Assistant for international projects • Making, keeping and storing information databases on international projects • Preparation and analysis of current and periodic accountability on international projects • Informational assistance for the university staff on participation in international projects, preparation of applications and other documents for their submitting to international foreign organisations Assistant for keeping records • Keeping records at the International Relations Department • Gathering, preparing and analyzing current and periodic accountability • Preparing relevant documents for sending on an official trip Translator/intepreter • Carrying out interpreting and translation of economic, scientific, political and other literature, regulations, etc. • Organization of foreign partners and guests’ stay at BTEU • Preparation of the university staff’s visa applications and their submission to embassies • E-mail correspondence with foreign partners

International cooperation agreements Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer cooperatives has concluded 44 international cooperation agreements in the sphere of research and education:

Foreign students Recruiting and training of foreign students is a priority goal for the University. As of October, 2011, 98 foreign students were studying at BTEU

Foreign students

Student mobility 10 post-graduate students from Tajikistan studied at Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives in 2010/2011 within the cooperation agreement with Tajik State University of Commerce.

International projects 2006 -2011 YEAR PROGRAMME 20082010 TEMPUS 20112014 20082012 BRIDGE Cofinanced by Europe. Aid of the European Commission PROJECT Upgrading the Management at Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives to the EU Quality Standards Internationalization in Central Asia and the Eastern Neighbouring Area University of Seville (Seville, Spain) Fostering mutual understanding and cooperation of the EU with Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine ISCOMET (Maribor, Slovenia) 20052006 Business English, International Accounting and exchange of knowledge in Public Administration 20062007 Promoting, starting and running cooperatives and small enterprises– a comparison between Belarus and Sweden. 2007 20092010 2011 VISBY Programme (Programme financed by the Swedish Institute) COORDINATOR Development of the sphere of human resources at the enterprises of the Republic of Belarus and Sweden with the aim to make business more effective Analysis of the market for Belarusian products in Sweden and in Northern Europe – a student exchange project between Belarus and Sweden Legal system – comparison between Belarus and Sweden KY Akademien now – Yrkeshogskolan Goteborg (Goteborg, Sweden)

Belarusian-Swedish Projects Business English, International Accounting and exchange of knowledge in Public Administration Getting deep knowledge and practical experience of communication in English and Swedish in business spheres. Promoting, starting and running cooperatives and small enterprises– a comparison between Belarus and Sweden. Distribution of knowledge about and experience from cooperative and small enterprises in each country followed up by discussions of basic values of how to create wealth, participation and acceptance among consumers and citizens in general. Development of the sphere of human resources at the enterprises of the Republic of Belarus and Sweden with the aim to make business more effective The objective of the project is to learn theoretical and practical aspects of human resources management and service management at the enterprises of Sweden and the Republic of Belarus Analysis of the market for Belarusian products in Sweden and in Northern Europe – a student exchange project between Belarus and Sweden To analyze the opportunities for Belarusian goods in Sweden and in Northern Europe Legal system – comparison between Belarus and Sweden The major aim is to analyze and compare Belarusian and Swedish legal system.

TEMPUS Upgrading the Management at Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives ti EU Quality Standards A project supported by Tempus under the grant JEP-27174 -2006 Duration: September 1, 2007 - August 31, 2009 (+1 year extension pending due to Registration Process). Budget: € 297, 878 + € 15, 689 of co-financing Grantholder: University of Seville Coordinator: University of Seville. Prof. Dr. Miguel Ángel Adame Participants: University of Seville, Scuola di Amministrazione Aziendale (Unito) and Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives at Gomel Outcomes: Ш Training of trainers in EU quality procedures Ш Defining a Management Strategic Plan (MSP) Ш Local Staff Trainers able in EU standards Ш Mobility Exchanges Ш Upgrading the Web page Ш Equipment Ш Dissemination Ш Sustainability Ш Quality Control and Monitoring Ш Management of the project Ш Creation of New Administrative Units Ш Project Book Ш BTEU Booklet.

BRIDGE FOSTERING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION OF THE EU WITH BELARUS, MOLDOVA, RUSSIA AND UKRAINE PROJECT OBJECTIVES: Overall objective: To contribute to the strategic objective of the EU cooperation with Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova (ENP partner countries) within the ENP and with Russia in the frame of the Strategic partnership (SP) cooperation. Specific objective: To improve understanding and to raise awareness of citizens in the ENP East region and Russia on the EU policies and in particular on the ENP and SP by: Ш Strengthening the cooperation and enhancing dialogue between different stakeholders of the EU and the ENP East region and Russia; Ш Promoting democracy and local governance in the ENP East region and Russia; Ш On the basis of Project studies providing recommendations for future development on the field of ENP and SP and Ш Disseminating information on ENP and SP in the ENP East region and Russia and EU countries as well.

IRD Web-site www. i-bteu. by

THE ONGOING TEMPUS PROJECT “INTERNATIONALIZATION IN CENTRAL ASIA AND EASTERN NEIGHBORHOOD AREA” BTEU IRD’s fields of interest: Outcomes Academic and student mobility and exchanges Procedure of foreign researchers’ involvement Statement on student mobility in the Republic of Belarus Courses delivered in English, innovative methods of language training Training specialists in Belarus Promotional university Development of materials about the Export of educational services: enrollment and admission of foreign students. Tutorship foreign students Study of experience Effective technologies in the activity of advanced IRDs Statement on the Centre of International Cooperation Preparation of SPI (Strategic Plan of Internationalization)