EPS 2007-2013

Erasmus Policy Statement 2007-2013 (EPS) 

 I Strategy, objectives and priorities for the Erasmus activities.

 Podhalańska Państowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa  (Podhalańska State School of Higher Vocational Education) in Nowy Targ is a young School established in 2001, which aims at being a truly European institution based on European standards by joining the Lifelong Learning Programme. We already cooperate with the University of Presov (Slovakia) and the National Library in Martin (Slovakia).

 The Senate of Podhalańska State School of Higher Vocational Education by deciding to join the Programme (LLP)  for the years 2007-2013 wishes to realize the  priorities included in the development strategy which are based on objectives of the Erasmus Programme.

PPWSZ's objectives are following:

•  Establishing bilateral contacts and signing contracts with universities of similar profile. The cooperation will include: student exchange, teaching and administrative staff exchange, participation in conferences, common projects and seminars, joined scientific research, publication exchange,
• Participation in education projects and research conducted in international teams financed by EU funds and other sources.
• Participation in the European Higher Education Area in the frames of Bologna process and Lisbon Convention.

To fulfil the strategy PPWSZ will be oblige to:

1. Establish transparent and demanding selection procedures based on language and records criteria
2. Prepare learning programmes in order to collaborate with other universities.
3. Implement learning paths in English, improve teaching methods and curriculum in view of the European dimension.
4. Enlarge of foreign language teaching and making possible for students to obtain certificates recognised world-wide.
5. Promote school internationalisation activities among students, teaching and administrative staff.

B. To give visibility to Erasmus PPWSZ will take up following activities:

1. special web site dedicated to Erasmus activities in Polish and English, Student and staff information meetings will be held.
2. the Erasmus Charter and the EPS will be publicized on PPWSZ's website,
3. a special information brochure will be printed and distributed among students, teaching and administrative staff,
4. information board and special meetings (Erasmus day) will be organized.

International students coming to  PPWSZ are welcome to participate in all student activities irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, sex identity, social class or political beliefs. We will do our best to educate students in the spirit of human rights protection and to avoid discrimination, racism and xenophobia.

 II. Quality of academic mobility activities

The PPWSZ will make every effort to ensure high quality of mobility activities and observe the principles of Erasmus mobility. Every student will be provided with the signed and accepted Learning Agreement before beginning the mobility. Full academic recognition will be given to students for satisfactory completed activities during their mobility period.

PPWSZ will do its best to ensure the highest quality of academic mobility activities, in particular through:

1. Transparent and demanding selection of procedures based on language and records criteria and full recognition of mobility period abroad.
2. Equal academic treatment is ensured for home and incoming Erasmus students.
3. The use of ECTS at every field of study as the credit transfer and accumulation system, to give transparency to the procedures.
4. Exchange based on bilateral contracts and Learning Agreements which ensures that earned credits at the hosting university will be transferred and recognised at home institution.
5. Up-to-date, easily accessible and transparent curriculum information of partner universities and courses will be available for all interested persons.
6. The Erasmus Coordinator should be in regular contact with partner universities and students studying abroad and monitor all the mobility period.
7. Tutors support will be organised for incoming students, as well as help in accommodation and solving everyday-life problems.
8. Acknowledgement of teaching activities abroad as a part of the academic career.
9. The main aim of teaching staff exchange is to raise teaching level and personal development. The teacher exchange between partner universities should result in common research projects, improvement in teaching methods, curriculum modernisation. The plan of the visit should be prepared and approved by partner universities.
10. Administrative staff exchange needs similar rules. The effect of that kind of mobility should be the improvement of organisational work, "good practices" implementation, adaptation to the European standards in university management.

 The University will guarantee the highest quality in the organisation of student mobility, whilst ensuring equal academic treatment and services for home and Erasmus students.   Each incoming Erasmus student will continue to be matriculated and become a fully integrated member of PPWSZ.

 III. Quality of student placement activities

The PPWSZ understands the significant role of practical placements of students in adapting to the requirements of the Community-wide labour market, in acquiring specific skills and work experience, which will have an impact on their future career. Student placement action will provide great opportunities for those willing to add the European dimension to their qualifications.

The quality of placements and the planned results would be assured by professional organization of placements.

1. Transparent selection process based on students learning achievements, knowledge of a foreign language, motivation, personal skills.
2. Placements will be organised at enterprises recommended by our foreign partners or other institution specialised in placement arrangement.
3. A work place and placement programme should be compatible with the field of study.
4. Student will receive information about enterprise, town and country of placement.
5. Mentors will take care of students and keep contact with the Erasmus Coordinator at the University.
6. The evaluation will be made both by students and mentors at the enterprise during and after the placement.
7. The placement will be recognised on the basis of the report submitted by the student, describing the course of the placement, accomplished tasks and on-the-job achievements and signed by enterprise.
8. The enterprise will help the student to integrate into the new environment and find accommodation
9. Students will obtain the ECTS credits for the successfully completed placement in accordance with the curriculum.