Universitt fr Bodenkultur Wien University of Natural Resources

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna How to build a successful International Relations Office (IRO) and International Committee Dr. Margarita Calderón-Peter www. boku. ac. at 07/10/2020 1

Why? ? ? – Objective for an IRO § To have international relations officers who play an essential role in promoting, organising and managing international activities within an institution. § Centre for all international activities of the University: - main strategic resource for the Rector - co-ordinating unit for all international programmes - pool of information about all international engagements, relations and activities of the University § Professional staff is required 07. 10. 2020 2

Determining factors for an efficient IRO 1. fully-dedicated professional administratives working exclusively for the International Office 2. with full support of the university management (= rectorate, deans etc) – internationalisation is not the task of one single office that has to convert the whole university, internationalisation has to be lived throughout the whole institution. 3. work closely together with departmental co-ordinators, student organisations etc. (they should also get institutional recognition for these services) 07. 10. 2020 3

Main tasks (= essentials for an IRO) § Develop + disseminate information material for incoming and outgoing mobilities (web-sites, social media, brochures, posters on scholarships, research funding offers, etc. ) § Administer programmes for mobility of students and staff (set up standard procedures for application for scholarships, administration of mobilities / scholarships / reintegration phase and feedback process) § Provide services for visitors and foreign students and staff (visa, accommodation, insurance; welcome days, buddy system; support for handicapped mobile persons; perhaps also language courses…. ) 07. 10. 2020 4

Additional tasks (= if resources allow) advising the university management w/r to international activities and strategy for internationalisation including a feedback cycle Internationalisation of study and research Systematic approach for Internationalisation of the whole university international PR and marketing Develop a crisis management plan for international exchanges Fundraising / Attracting the support of regional and local organisations for the university's internationalization programmes and promoting the internationalization of the region Reaching and securing (financial) sustainability for IRO Fine-tuning the IRO status within the university administration; 07. 10. 2020 5

Don‘t panic – this takes time! -> History of BOKU‘s Centre for Int. Rel. 1991 – 1 person; a few individual co-operation contacts 1993: 1 Director + 1 EU program officer + ½ time secretary 20 co-operation contracts, 90 scholarships; language courses 1994: ERASMUS (95 out, 25 In) 1996: 3 additional persons for research project support and continuing education 1997: 1 st student intern in the office; 1 st Int. Strategy (external peer review every 5 years) 1999: active involvement in networks 2000: first double degree program 2003/04: 1 st English Master programs + International Joint Master‘s 07. 10. 2020 6

BOKU’s co-operation agreements 1991 07/10/2020 7

BOKU’s co-operation agreements 2016 07/10/2020 8

Current tasks of BOKU’s IRO • Know-How-Pool - 1 st point of reference for int. aspects • Contribution to Strategy for Internationalisation (chair of Int. Committee) • Contact to Partner universities and networks • Manage BOKU‘s international funds and projects of our office • Inform about + support for educational and Capacity Building. Funding (ERASMUS+, CEEPUS, H 2020 ITNs…) • Expertise in Double and Joint-Degree Programs • Advice and Support for Outgoing- and Incoming students and -staff • Language course co-ordination (14 languages) • Intercultural training for students (+ staff) • int. PR (ECTS-Guides, english flyers. . . ) • Offer translation and proof-reading for English texts • Plan programs for BOKU delegations and int. visitors 07. 10. 2020 9

BOKU‘s International Highlights § 1 st Austrian University with an Internationalisation Strategy § § § with focus on Research for Development the Austrian university with the highest number of Master program‘s taught in English 1 st Austrian University to co-ordinate an ERASMUS MUNDUS Mobility project (3, 9 M €) 1 st Austrian University with an „Emergency plan for staff members on business trips abroad“ 21% international students 1/3 of our professors = from abroad 07. 10. 2020 10

But this is not achieved by IRO alone Rectorate Department International Contact persons Other administrative units Center for Development Research ZIB Regional co-ordinators Students International MSc Program Coordinators Departmental Co-ordinators

BOKU’s Committee for Internationalisation • Rector + VR for Teaching and Continuing Education + VR for Research and Innovation • 6 representatives of the Senate • Dean of Studies • Head of Centre for Development Research • 4 student representatives • Head of the Int. Relations Office (as Chair of the committee) and Deputy Head PLENUM + int. Contact persons of the 15 departments + co-ordinators of the Int. Master Programs 07. 10. 2020 12

Tasks of the Committee for Int. Meetings: 4 times per year (twice as Plenum) • Give advice to the university management w/r to internationalisation aspects, particularly BOKU’s Strategy for Internationalisation • Decide on the yearly plan of implementation of BOKU’s strategy for Internationalisation • Prepare “international chapters” of the overall BOKU development plan and performance contract with the ministries • Prepare reviews of the yearly plans and the strategy • Give advice on signing partnership agreements • Exchange information on current international activities 07. 10. 2020 13

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Dr. Margarita Calderón-Peter Zentrum für Internationale Beziehungen (ZIB) Peter-Jordan-Straße 82 a, 1190 Vienna, Austria Tel. : +43 1 47654 -32000, Fax: +43 1 47654 -32009 international@boku. ac. at, www. boku. ac. at/international 07/10/2020 14