The Erasmus Policy Statement
The Erasmus program is of key importance at AGH-UST University. As a participant, the AGH-UST can integrate its major objectives in the area of international collaboration. One of the major priorities of the University’s international policy is to expand the scope of European collaboration in the area of education and academic interests. Major efforts are currently being made to improving the quality of education, extend the curricula and to offer new courses, also available in foreign languages. Furthermore, AGH-UST aims to strengthen the European ties, at the same time helping students to adapt themselves to social and economic conditions in the united Europe. It has been observed that dynamic student exchange and staff mobility programs tend to improve the level of academic achievements. Our University is open to new learning techniques, we have now an e-platform. We are particularly interested in developing and promoting new technologies, that is why the exchange of research experiences with foreign partners is considered a top priority.
AGH-UST is active in promoting the Erasmus program among students and staff members. The International Relations Department responsible for international contacts issues a monthly magazine, providing information about opportunities for studying abroad and the news in the Erasmus program. The Department has its own homepage, providing all vital information about the requirements, eligibility criteria and procedures involved in the Erasmus program. Besides, the Department holds regular meetings with students and academic teachers where the prospective beneficiaries of the Erasmus program can meet those who already participated.
AGH-UST makes every effort to eliminate any form of discrimination, supporting numerous students’ organisations: Independent Students’ Association, Erasmus Student Network, Disabled Students’ Association and Polish Teachers’ Association defending the rights of every human being, regardless of their backgrounds, sex or beliefs. Their main goals are: to promote tolerance and democracy in the academic world, to defend democratic rights and freedoms and dignity of any person as a human being, and to raise the ethical awareness. Meetings, short trips and other events held by the Erasmus Student Network help foreign students to integrate with the rest of the academic community. Disabled Students’ Association workers provide the immediate assistance to disabled students on the campus. Encouraged by AGH-UST authorities, students from Disabled Students’ Association make efforts to remove the barriers in buildings, in transport as well as the mental barriers. Besides, AGH-UST is aiming to provide equality of opportunity for men and women. A program addressing equality of opportunity in research institutions is now underway, as a part of the 6th Framework Project.
Erasmus Policy Statement II
To guarantee high quality of exchange programs, AGH-UST ensures the transparency of procedures and criteria. Those taking part in the exchange programs are selected on the basis of clear, transparent rules, with the strong language skills and academic achievements being the main eligibility criteria.
The ECTS system is now in place in AGH-UST to enable the students to take up studies abroad. The International Relations Department distributes leaflets and information about collaborating partners- higher education institutions abroad. Besides, the Department and designated program coordinators at particular faculties are ready to provide detailed information about the foreign university and the country. Program coordinators are designated at each faculty of AGH-UST to assist the candidates to choose the appropriate curriculum content. Candidates can attend language courses, free of charge.
Foreign students get assistance and support from Erasmus Student Network, which is engaged in numerous activities to integrate the foreign students with the Polish academic community through special events, trips, tutorship. AGH-UST offers foreign students free courses of Polish. Besides, Program coordinators at the faculties will assist foreign students in finding accommodation. A Guide for Foreign Students is available online on the AGH-UST website and foreign students can find a host of valuable and detailed information about our university. AGH-UST promotes the staff mobility and exchange schemes. Thanks to international mobility programs, academic teachers can get acquainted with new teaching techniques and improve their own. Those taking part in mobility programs have a unique opportunity to extend the scope of collaboration and to be ready for new joint projects.