Proposal of joint european project CHAIN-E

Proposal of joint european project CHAIN-E

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Directorate-General XXII - Education, Training and Youth

Tempus Tacis

application form for a

Mobility Joint European Project

for the Russian Federation

beginning in November 1998

SECTION I: DECLARATION

We enclose documentation confirming that the other consortium members in

the project have endorsed the content of the application.

Name of the coordinating institution: University of Ghent

(Belgium)

Name of the Coordinator: Name of the legal representative:

Mrs. Lieve Bracke Prof. Jacques Willems

Function: Director International Relations Office Function: Rector

Done at: the University of Ghent Done at: the University of Ghent

Date: Date:

Signature: Signature

Official stamp or seal of the coordinating institution

SECTION II: BASIC DATA ON THE PROJECT

Title:

|C reation of the |

|H igher |

|A cademic |

|I nternational |

|N etwork for |

|E conomists |

|(CHAIN-E) |

Specific objective:

Creation of a mobility network for students in economics based on

internationalised curricula in the field of financial and industrial

management, banking and insurance.

In which language do you wish to receive future correspondence?:

English French German

Subject Area Code: 240 (Economics)

Project Coordinator (contact person at the coordinating and contracting

institution):

Title: Mrs. First name: Lieve Last name: Bracke

Sex: M F

Name of the institution: University of Ghent

Name of the department or faculty: International Relations Office

Address: Het Pand, Onderbergen 1

Country: Belgium Post code: 9000 Town: Ghent

Phone: 32/9/264.82.38 Fax: 32/9/264.83.99 E-mail:

Lieve.Bracke@rug.ac.be

Higher education institutions involved in the MJEP

Reference number: 1 - Coordinator Contact person: Lieve Bracke

Name of the institution: University of Ghent

Reference number: 2 - Second higher education institution Contact

person: Igor Kolobkov

Name of the institution: Ural State Vocational Pedagogic University (USVPU)

Name of the department or faculty: Institute of Economics and Law (USVPU),

Institute of Municipal Economy and Enterpreneurship.

Town: Ekaterinburg Country code: RF

Phone: 7/3432/31.23.52 Fax: 7/3432/31.94.63 E-mail:

Igor.Kolobkov@usvpu.ru

Reference number: 3 - Third higher education institution Contact person:

Andrey Maltsev

Name of the institution: Ural State University of Economics

Name of the department or faculty: Faculty of Finance; Faculty of Trade and

Economics; Faculty of Economics; Faculty of Management and International

Economic Relations.

Town: Ekaterinburg Country code: RF

Phone: 7/3432/22.96.15 Fax: 7/3432/22.71.47 E-mail:

Valentin.Kamyshov@usue.ru

Reference number: 4 - Fourth higher education institution Contact

person: Darya Nesterova

Name of the institution: Ural State University

Name of the department or faculty: Faculty of Economics.

Town: Ekaterinburg Country code: RF

Phone: 7/3432/55.21.65 Fax: 7/3432/55.59.64 E-mail:

Darya.Nesterova@usu.ru

Reference number: 5 - Fifth higher education institution Contact person:

Oleg Nikonov

Name of the institution: Ural State Technical University

Name of the department or faculty: Faculty of Economics and Management.

Town: Ekaterinburg Country code: RF

Phone: 7/3432/74.84.26 Fax: 7/3432/74.38.84 E-mail:

postmaster@rcupi.e-burg.su

Reference number: 6 - Sixth higher education institution Contact person:

Boris Igoshev

Name of the institution: Ural State Pedagogical University

Name of the department or faculty: Faculty of Economics.

Town: Ekaterinburg Country code: RF

Phone: 7/3432/34.13.01 Fax: 7/3432/34.97.71 E-mail:

Elena@sgpi.e-burg.su

Reference number: 7 - Seventh higher education institution Contact

person:

Name of the institution: “X” university of the Santander Group

Name of the department or faculty:

Town: Country code:

Phone: Fax: E-mail:

Reference number: 8 - eighth higher education institution Contact

person:

Name of the institution: “Y” university of the Santender Group

Name of the department or faculty:

Town: Country code:

Phone: Fax: E-mail:

SECTION III: THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE PROJECT

SECTION IV: PROJECT DESCRIPTION

IV.1. BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

* Tempus priorities

The project will be implemented in the Urals - one of the major economic

regions of Russia, which has a huge industrial, academic and scientific

potential.

Today one of the most important tasks is the provision of skilled

personnel for realization of this potential. Of special importance here

is the preparation of qualified experts who are capable of solving most

complicated problems on the development of market relations in

conditions of continued reforming of market economy. The present project

should facilitate the solution of this task.

The public authorities of the Ural Region see great importance in the

development of financial and industrial management, banking and

insurance. The solution of the given task is complicated by the shortage

of qualified experts with higher education. The field of business is new

to the Russian Federation. Therefore, the system of economic education

in the country and, in particular, in the Urals needs to be enriched

with the foreign experience of education in these subject domains.

Thus, the problem of economic education at the universities of the Urals

completely falls within the framework of the priorities set by the

Tempus program in Russia.

Deriving from this, economics (code 240) was chosen as the priority

subject sphere.

This subject area also was chosen because the possibility and advantage

of the universities-participants satisfy its requirements. Each

participating university has its faculties and/or institutes preparing

students to economic and management specialities.

The given project, devoted mainly to the creation of a network for

student mobility, includes also:

elements of teaching staff retraining;

introduction of new information technological methods into educational

process;

intensive language preparation;

development of distance learning.

* Previous cooperation

During 1994-98 a consortium of 4 Ural universities was established in

the Urals. And it still continues functioning:

5. the Ural State Vocational Pedagogical University (USVPU);

6. the Ural State University (USU);

7. the Ural State Pedagogical University (USPU);

8. the Ural State Technical University (USTU).

The consortium was created for solving joint tasks in the field of

improvement of the university management, educational activity in

subject spheres and scientific research. The consortium has been

functioning as a structure within the framework of bilateral and

multilateral agreements with the University of Ghent (Belgium) in

carrying out the following projects:

9. URAL-MANAG (university management)

A foundation was laid for international activity of the Ural

universities. A coordinating center for managing international

activities in the region was created.

10. URAL-NET (development of interuniversity computer communications)

As a result of interaction of the given project with other similar

projects the universities of the consortium had an opportunity to

access the global computer network Internet.

11. URAL-INFO (information technologies in learning)

A base of relevant materials and facilities was created, information

technologies are mastered, the teaching staff and programmers are

trained to be able to introduce new information technologies in the

educational process.

12. URAL-LAN (language preparation)

The modern Language Center has been established. The Center was

supplied with the newest equipment. The technology of intensive

foreign language teaching is mastered. Regular teaching of the staff

and students of the consortium universities take place.

13. URAL-ECON (teaching and research in the field of economics)

The existing curricula were modified and new courses were developed.

14. URAL-DISTANCE (development of distant methods of learning on the

example of economic education)

A special course was given by Prof. Pasmiller. Workshops were held with

a participation of the Ural State University representatives and the

Ghent University ones.

15. URAL-ELECTRO (teaching and research in the field of electric power

industry)

The technology of internationalized curricula development, procedure of

their coordination and introduction in the educational process was

elaborated.

16. URAL-METAL (teaching and research in the field of metallurgy)

17. URAL-LIT (teaching and research in the field of literature)

18. URAL-LEX (teaching and research in the field of comparative

lexicography)

The positive experience of international cooperation in the domain of

higher education was obtained.

The indicated outcomes visually testify, that they are directly

connected to the objectives and tasks of the stated project and

completely correspond to the Tempus priorities. It is possible to

consider the given project to be a continuation of joint activities of

the Ural consortium.

Besides, in 1994-98 Tempus/Tacis activities were jointly carried out by

the universities of Ghent (Belgium), Rotterdam (the Netherlands),

Valladolid (Spain) and the USVPU. In the course of implementation of the

URAL project: Upgrading of Regional Academic Level T-JEP-10094-95-RF

four structural subdivisions were created in the USVPU for the

realization and management of international activities:

19. Regional Office for International Cooperation (RO);

20. Information Network Centre (INC);

21. Language Centre (LC);

22. Regional Centre for Student Exchanges (Vagant Centre) (VC).

The activities of these subdivisions are of a regional character and are

extended to the other universities of the Ural consortium. The Regional

Office for International Cooperation assists in the teaching staff and

student mobility organization. The Language Centre provides language

preparation of the trainees from different universities. The Regional

Centre for Student Exchanges has developed mechanisms and procedures of

student exchanges, ways of realization of credit transfer, a method of

definition of student workloads and credit allocation, has instructed

the ECTS-coordinators appointed at the consortium universities, has

mastered and disseminated the technology of producing information

packages. The VC provides informational and organizational support for

student mobility. The Information Network Centre provides the

subdivisions with communication means, with access to local and global

electronic networks.

The administrative and academic staff of all the consortium universities

have been trained in activity domains of the above-mentioned

subdivisions at the universities of Ghent (Belgium), Rotterdam (the

Netherlands), Valladolid (Spain) and other European universities.

The Ural State University for Economics (USUE) joining the consortium

(as a 5th member) in 1994/98 has established a number of partner

connections with some European universities and institutes. The

University has already acquired a certain experience before joining in

the new project. Among them: Student and teachers exchanges procedures,

language training, coordination of educational programs, creation of

joint teaching materials, academic recognition of study results,

agreements for rendering educational services, management of

international cooperation. Student exchanges were conducted with Marburg

University, Cologne University, Munich University (Germany), Higher

educational commercial schools of Po and Lyons Cities (France). Teachers

exchanges were conducted between USUE and Technical University of

Roitlingen (Germany), Utrecht University (the Netherlands), London

Economics School and NorthWestern College of London (GB).

At the present time all 5 Ural universities have their own offices for

the international cooperation. It is seemed that their presence will be

helpfull for the new project fulfilment.

* Links with other programs

The described Tempus JEP “URAL” is obviously directly connected with the

objectives and tasks of the proposed project, which can be considered as

its natural sequel. The achieved outcomes can be significantly

multiplied in the course of implementation of a new possible project to

influence not only the Ural Region but also the educational system of

Russia, which will allow to use the Tempus funds with a maximum

efficiency.

Some positive experience was accumulated also during the international

project "Distance Learning in the Economic Zone of the Urals"

ww.91.05/01.01/BO41, which was carried out by the USVPU in cooperation

with the Italian Institute of Foreign Trade. In the course of the

project more than 300 workers for small business were prepared with the

distance learning method. This experience also will be used in the

execution of the stated project.

It is very important that, the USVPU heads the Association for

Scientific Research and Educational Methods in Vocational Education

(ASREM/VE), which unites more than 130 educational institutions in

Russia. The ASREM/VE meets the problems of development of State

education standards of higher and secondary vocational education and

preparation of normative documents for a multilevel educational system

(bachelor and masters' courses). The ASREM/VE can really affect the

system of education in Russia, besides it has a possibility to provide

official recognition of the mechanisms and procedures of educational

degrees award. The education internationalization process in the USVPU

and other universities of the Ural consortium has a real chance to be

expanded within the institutions of the ASREM/VE because the USVPU leads

the educational policy in the Association.

In USU together with Moscow state university the preparation of masters

is carried on in the field of an economic theory. Together with St.-

Petersburg state university scientific and research work is carried on

in the field of the international economic relations. With the foreign

partners, for example, with Technical university of Munich (Germany) the

research projects on a theme " International economy of the firm", and

with University of state Illinois (USA) a common theme of researches "

Market of labor " are executed.

In USTU on faculties of the Analysis of systems and decision making and

banking researches are conducted within the framework of the regional

programme financed by the regional budget of Sverdlovsk region of the

theme of the state budget N 2980 "Mathematical and computer modeling of

economic-organizing systems "; grants of Ministry of Education of

Russian Federation N 2992 "Theory and methodology of an evaluation of

efficiency of the investments on the basis of mathematical methods of

the theory of management (section economy) and N 97-0-1.9.68 "Theory of

the guaranteed management and evaluation in the tasks of financial

mathematics ", and also are supported by the grant of Russian fund of

fundamental researches (PFBR) N 97-01-01003.

USPU during many years participates in economic programmes of Sverdlovsk

region on creation of economic culture in market conditions. Joint work

by the grant with North-East Illinois university (USA) on the programme

"Economic, social and cultural initiative. Russian-American partnership

" USA N IA-AFJL-J4190526 was executed.

Within two last years USUE has received positive experience of exchange

of the students with university of Visbaden (Germany), and also with

other mentioned before universities on a specialty « World economy ».

These programs of students' exchanges of USUE are directly connected

with the stated project, as have the common objectives of creation of

stable channels of students' mobility on the base of agreed educational

programs in the field of economy.

IV.2. OBJECTIVE AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

2.1. Objective

In general the objective of the project is to make the student mobility

possible and to update the content of higher economic education, its

methods and forms of teaching with the help of international cooperation

in this area what will promote the development of market relations in

Russia and its integration in the world economic community.

The improvement of higher economic education should be realized by its

adaptation to the European education dimensions. Russian economic

education has not sufficient experience of operating in market

conditions therefore the students trained do not always correspond to

the requirements of the new market conditions. The solution of this

problem can be reached as one of the outcomes of international

cooperation in the field of economic education. Such cooperation is

inevitably connected with students and teachers exchanges, with problems

of development of joint professional education programs, with problems

of academic recognition of educational degrees and diplomas.

The outlined problems in the field of economic education allow to

formulate the specific objective of the project: " Creation of a

mobility network for students in economics based on internationalised

curricula in the field of financial and industrial managament, banking

and insurance for making the student mobility possible and for upgrading

of education quality". Such a constantly functioning network will allow

not only to accumulate and generalize the experience of teaching the

students, but also to prepare the background for scientific exchange.

Doubtlessly, in the course of student exchanges the growth of the staff

participating in the development of internationalized educational

programs will also be ensured. To achieve this objective it is necessary

to set the following tasks:

23. Strengthening of the existing and creation of new organizational

structures dealing with student exchanges;

24. Development of internationalized curricula and joint short-term

internationalized educational programs;

25. Development of new and improvement of the existing procedures of

recognition of the results of abroad study courses;

26. Realization of student exchanges;

27. Analysis, generalization and dissemination of the experience obtained;

28. Taking special measures to provide the stability and sustainability of

the network created.

2.2. Outcomes, activities and inputs

OUTCOME TABLE

Outcome reference N°: 1 Description of the outcome: 73 students

and postgraduates, having taken part in the students exchange programs

between Russian and European universities.

Deadline: June, 30, 2001 Institutions involved (reference N°): 1-8

Description of the activities:

1.1 Working out a common selection procedure of students-economists at

all Russian higher educational institutions, participants of the

consortium. Making use of the foreign universities experience. The VC

branches together with the home institution professors carry out the

selection. Language fluency will be one of the most imortant criteria.

1.2 Creation and annual updating as well as setting up in the Internet of

the participating institutions information packages (in English

language).

1.3 Organization of access to the resources of the host university

(libraries, computer facilities, etc.).

1.4 Accommodation of foreign students in the hostels of the higher

educational institutions, participants of the project. Organization of

the foreign students’ leisure. Guarantee of their security during their

staying abroad.

1.5 Language training for the outgoing students (before their departure).

1.6 Organizational and informational students’ support.

1.7 Supervising of the outgoing students (application of the ECTS system;

in order to achive the best results of studying abroad the guidance from

the home institution is presupposed).

1.8 Application of ECTS for the study results’ recognition (the

regulations of the ECTS are mentioned in the “ECTS User’s Guide” well

known in European universities).

1.9 Experience dissemination – organization of an international

conference on the results of student exchanges (in Ekaterinburg).

1.10 Experience dissemination – organization in Ekaterinburg of 3 annual

regional conferences on the problems of economic education, with the

European partners taking part.

Target group(s):

Students, postgraduate students.

Inputs allocated from the Tempus budget:

1. Covering the expenses, connected with students’ exchange (travel and

stay):

50 students' East-West mobility – 5 months; 10 postgraduate students'

East-West mobility – 10 months

10 students' West-East mobility – 5 months; 3 postgraduate students' West-

East mobility – 10 months

2. Financing of Russian universities information packages’ publishing.

3. Financing of work of the Language Centre teaching staff.

4. Financing of the international conference organization expenses and

covering of travel and stay costs of Russian participants.

5. Covering of travel and stay at the conference costs of EU participants.

6. Financing of the conference printed materials issue.

7. Technical equipping of the Language Centre.

8. Financing of the administrative staff, academic staff

9. 3 conferences’ organization expenses financing. Covering of travel and

stay costs at the conference of RF participants.

10. Financing of travel and stay of EU participants of the conference.

11. Financing of the conference printed materials issue.

Inputs allocated from outside the Tempus budget:

1. Financing of the ECTS coordinators’ work.

2. Financing the professors’ work in teaching foreign students.

3. Financing of the information packages’ elaboration.

4. Financing of the EU universities information packages’ issuing.

5. Provision of an access to the library, computer classes and other

educational equipment.

Duration (in weeks): 156

Total Tempus funding required for this outcome (including related mobility

flows) over project duration:

ECU .560'670

(this amount reflects the inputs from the Tempus budget only - for other

contributions see the financial table V.8.)

OUTCOME TABLE

(Continued)

Outcome reference N°: 2 Description of the outcome: 75 students

and postgraduate students, having taken part in the students exchange

program between the Ural higher educational institutions, participants of

the consortium.

Deadline: June, 30, 2001 Institutions involved (reference N°): 2-6

Description of the activities:

2.1 Working out a common selection procedure of students-economists at

all higher educational institutions, participants of the consortium.

Making use of foreign universities experience. The selection has to be

made by the students’ exchange centres and professors of universities.

2.2 Creation and annual updating as well as setting up in the Internet of

information packages of Ural universities, taking part in the project (in

the Russian language).

2.3 Organization of access to the resources of the host university

(libraries, computer facilities ets.).

2.4 Supervising of the outgoing students.

2.5 Accommodation of other-town students in the hostels of the higher

educational institutions, participants of the project.

2.6 Organizational and informational students’ support.

2.7 Application of ECTS for the studying results’ recognition.

Target group(s):

Administrative staff, academic staff, students, postgraduate students.

Inputs allocated from the Tempus budget:

Inputs allocated from outside the Tempus budget:

1. Financing of the students’ exchanges:

75 students' East-East mobility, 5 months.

2. Financing of the ECTS coordinators work.

3. Financing of the overtime work of the teachers.

4. Provision of an access to the library, computer classes and other

educational equipment.

Duration (in weeks): 156

Total Tempus funding required for this outcome (including related mobility

flows) over project duration:

ECU. 0

(this amount reflects the inputs from the Tempus budget only - for other

contributions see the financial table V.8.)

OUTCOME TABLE

(Continued)

Outcome reference N°: 3 Description of the outcome:

Internationalization of professional educational economic programs at

higher educational institutions, participants of the project.

Deadline: August, 31, 2001 Institutions involved (reference N°): 1-8

Description of the activities:

3.1 Comparative analysis of professional educational programs of the home

and host universities.

3.2 Selection of foreign study courses, which are of interest for the

sending university.

3.3 Foreseeing the ways to overcome the differences in professional

educational programs.

3.4 ECTS system introduction.

3.5 Short-term mutual visits of administrative and academic staff to co-

ordinate the work and discuss the problems of students’ mobility, such as

diploma recognition and methods of credit transfer.

3.6 Administrative and academic staff training periods (administrative for

intensive courses for studying methods of credit transfer; academics to

perfect the teaching methods).

3.7 Expending of the library resources of partner universities at the

expense of purchasing of books and periodical issues on the Economics

problems.

3.8 Provision of project participants with an access to the computer

databases containing some information concerning the contents of courses

offered at the economic faculties of the European universities.

3.9 Creation of a computer database of educational programs, curricula and

teaching aids in Economics.

3.10 Dissemination of the experience – organization of Ural annual inter-

universities’ seminars on internationalization of higher economic

education.

3.11 Dissemination of the experience – publishing of Newsletters on

internationalization of higher economic education (3 times a year).

Target group(s):

Administrative staff, academic staff.

Inputs allocated from the Tempus budget:

1. Financing of short-term visits.

15 Administrative and academic staff members' mobility East-West

2. Financing of training periods and intensive courses.

15 Administrative and academic staff members' mobility East-West.

3. Financing of the Newsletters publishing.

4. Financing of books and periodical publications purchasing.

5. Financing of an access to the computer databases.

Inputs allocated from outside the Tempus budget:

1. Financing of the experts work in educational programs’ analysis.

2. Financing of the work on ECTS introduction.

3. Financing of the work on elaboration of the didactic materials and

teaching aids.

4. Financing of 3 seminars.

5. Financing of language courses for trainees.

Duration (in weeks): 101

Total Tempus funding required for this outcome (including related mobility

flows) over project duration:

ECU .93'900

(this amount reflects the inputs from the Tempus budget only - for other

contributions see the financial table V.8.)

OUTCOME TABLE

(Continued)

Outcome reference N°: 4 Description of the outcome: A network of

branches of the Regional Centre for Students’ Exchanges (RCSE) at the Ural

universities – participants of the consortium, as well as constant contacts

of the Centre and its branches with the corresponding structures of the

European universities participating in the project.

Deadline: August, 31, 2001 Institutions involved (reference N°): 2-6

Description of the activities:

4.1 Creation of RCSE branches at the universities of the Ural consortium

and their technical provision.

4.2. Establishing of cooperation links between the heads of the RCSE

branches at the Ural universities.

4.3 Appointment of ECTS-coordinators in Economics at each participating

university.

4.4 Training of the ECTS-coordinators and staff of the RCSE and its

branches at the European universities.

4.5 Organization of meetings, conferences, seminars on the exchange of

experience with participation of the heads and the staff of the RCSE, ECTS-

coordinators and students participating in the project.

4.6 Establishing of direct links between the ECTS-coordinators in economics

of the Ural consortium universities and the European universities,

participation in the work of the ECTS ALUMNI Association.

4.7 Dissemination of the experience – publishing activities (Newsletters,

see Outcome 3 Activity 3.11).

Target group(s):

Staff of the RCSE and its branches, ECTS-coordinators.

Inputs allocated from the Tempus budget:

1. Financing of intensive courses for the RCSE staff and ECTS-coordinators

at European universities.

2. Financing of the publishing activities (it is the same activity

mentioned above, see Outcome 3).

3. Provision of the RCSE branches with equipment:

4 PCs; 4 Laser Jets; 4 Copying machines; 4 Binding machines.

4. Financing of software.

5. Financing of services for the equipment.

Inputs allocated from outside the Tempus budget:

1. Premises, furniture, municipal costs.

2. Staff costs (RCSE and its branches staff, ECTS-coordinators).

3. Computer network, communications.

4. Financing of conferences and seminars.

Duration (in weeks): 156

Total Tempus funding required for this outcome (including related mobility

flows) over project duration:

ECU .38'000

(this amount reflects the inputs from the Tempus budget only - for other

contributions see the financial table V.8.)

OUTCOME TABLE

(Continued)

Outcome reference N°: 5 Description of the outcome: 20 academic

staff will deliver lectures at the universities-participants in the

project.

Deadline: June, 31, 2001 Institutions involved (reference N°): 1-8

Description of the activities:

5.1 Elaboration of new study courses (reviews lectures on subjects that are

read at the professors’ home institutions) and their methodological

provision.

5.2 Organizational and informational support of the outgoing lecturers.

5.3 Dissemination of the experience: publishing activity (Newsletters, see

Outcome 3, Activity 3.11).

Target group(s):

Academic staff, postgraduate students, students, administrative staff.

Inputs allocated from the Tempus budget:

1. Financing of the 15 academic staff members' East-West mobility (it is

the same mobility mentioned above, see Outcome 3).

2. Financing of the 5 academic staff members' West-East mobility.

3. Publishing of didactical materials (teaching aids) for the lectures

to be read abroad (20 sets).

Inputs allocated from outside the Tempus budget:

1. Financing of the work on elaboration of new copyrightable courses.

Duration (in weeks): 77

Total Tempus funding required for this outcome (including related mobility

flows) over project duration:

ECU .22'800

(this amount reflects the inputs from the Tempus budget only - for other

contributions see the financial table V.8.)

2.3. Impact and sustainability

The successful implementation of the project will influence various aspects

of the system of higher education in Russia, connected with preparation of

students to be highly qualified specialists:

29. On the national level it is the process of adaptation of the Russian

system of higher education to the European dimensions; the possibility of

mutual recognition of diplomas of future specialists in economics;

creation of a model of a rapid and reliable information exchange system

between the universities of Russia and European Union;

30. At a regional level - perfecting of the network of the Ural

universities ensuring high-quality preparation of students in the sphere

of economics; uniting of scientific - pedagogical potential of the Ural

universities for solution of problems in the sphere of student

exchanges; development of structures coordinating student exchanges at

the regional level; creation of reliable channels of information

exchange on problems of preparation of high-qualified economists;

31. At a university level - further development of university structures

connected with student exchanges (Regional Center for Student Exchanges,

Regional Office for International Cooperation); replenishment of the

library funds with the economic literature, purchased by the students

during their study courses abroad; creation of the atmosphere of interest

in student exchanges at all structural subdivisions (faculties,

departments) of the university;

32. At a level of faculties - development of the structure of the Economic

Faculty by student exchanges, including those with foreign universities;

improvement of professional skills of the faculty teaching staff,

including reading of some lectures in a foreign language; increase of

students' interest in qualitative studying and learning of foreign

languages;

33. At a level of departments - perfecting of curricula for preparation of

experts in the sphere of economics; teachers' mastering of foreign

languages; rise of prestige of an economic specialty in the eyes of would-

be students.

Upon termination of Tempus/Tacis financing the outcomes of the project can

be maintained and developed by the structures established in the course of

the project implementation (RCSE branches, ECTS-coordinators). The

involvement in new projects, bilateral and multilateral agreements between

the Russian and foreign universities is possible. It is obviously possible,

that the mentioned structures, using the accumulated links, can offer the

whole range of services to organizations and population. This will ensure

additional sources of financing.

The Ural universities consortium has an intention to save and to develop

the academic network established in the framework of the CHAIN-E project.

For this purpose it is planned to offer and to realize the joint projects,

financed from the respectable sources. All the Ural universities have an

experience of grants getting from the national and non-governmental funds:

“The Fund of Higher Education Development”, “National Fund for Staff

Preparation” (The Government of the Russian Federation and the

International Reconstruction and Development Bank), “G. Soros Fund (Opened

Society Institute)” etc. During the academic network creation the

universities will try to provide the financing from these sources of the

respectable joint project in the field of Economics and Education. At the

present time the USVPU and the USU have already got the positive decision

of the “National Fund for Staff Preparation” about the loan rendering for

the realization of the Innovation Education Fund project in the field of

economical education of these universities.

IV.3. MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT

3.1. Management structure

Role and responsibilities of each consortium member

The structure of management of the project is indicated in the scheme

below.

The University - Contractor is Ghent University (RUG). During the first

year of MJEP fulfillment it acts as the University - Coordinator of the

project, but it delegates some part of the responsibilities in Russia to

the USVPU. Such control circuit has been already tested in 1994-98. In a

course of realization of the Ural universities consortium work with the

Ghent University within the framework of the multilateral agreements, and

also the USVPU with Ghent, Rotterdam and Valladolid universities under the

URAL project (Tempus/Tacis) T-JEP-10094-95-RF. The positive administrative

experience accumulated for these years allows to recommend the used circuit

of work.

During the second and third years functions of University - Coordinator of

the project executes the USVPU, and some part of the responsibilities on

coordination of works in Europe are preserved for RUG. The delegation of a

coordinating role to Russian university (USVPU) has two reasons: first, the

major part of work under the project is carried out in Russia; secondly,

the fulfillment of managing functions will allow the USVPU to fix and to

advance those skills of a realization of international cooperation, which

were incorporated by joint activity of the Russian-European consortium of

universities in 1994-98.

The problems of CHAIN-E and Russian-European subprojects development

strategy (as well as development strategy of the URAL subprojects and other

projects connecting universities of Ural and Europe into the network) will

be settled by Council of the Rectors, which includes Prof./Dr. G. Romantsev

(USVPU), Prof./Dr. V. Tretyakov (USU), Prof./Dr. V. Kamyshov (USUE),

Prof./Dr. S. Naboichenko (USTU), Prof./Dr. V. Zhavoronkov (USPU) on the

part of Ekaterinburg universities.

The operating project management is carried out by the Coordination Council

of the managers of works at the universities. To be such managers: a Vice-

Rector - coordinator of the international programs (USVPU), Prof./Dr. I.

Kolobkov - Chairman of Coordination Council; a Vice-Rector on international

relations (USUE), Prof./Dr. A. Maltsev – deputy head of the Coordination

Council; the dean of Economics Faculty (USU), Prof./Dr. D. Nesterova; Head

of the Department of The Analysis of Systems and Decision Making (USTU),

Prof./Dr. O. Nikonov; a Vice-Rector on educational work and international

relations (USPU), Prof./Dr. M. Igoshev are appointed. The managers of works

at the universities coordinate aspirations of faculties and departments

involved in the project in the correspondence with the annually developed

general plan of the activity, which is approved in Tempus Department of the

ETF.

A big role in carrying out of the MJEP CHAIN-E activities is played by the

ECTS-coordinators, appointed at the universities, who are responsible for

the ECTS implementation while realization of student exchanges. The strict

fulfillment of ECTS principles, which is steadfastly monitored by the ECTS-

coordinators, is the lien of that the procedures of academic recognition of

study results will be facilitated, and the students who wish to study

abroad, will not be afraid of extension of terms of their study because of

a problem with academic recognition. In 4 of five Ural universities the

ECTS-coordinators already exist and have passed training periods abroad and

followed special courses in the USVPU: Prof./Dr. A. Zhuchenko Vice-rector

of the USVPU; the Head of the Educational Department (USTU) Prof./Dr. V.

Shavrin; the employee of the Educational Department (USPU) Prof. M.

Yelisafenko; Prof./Dr. of the International Relations Department (USU) V.

Kouzmine. Besides, the ECTS technology is widely known to the

administrative and academic staff of the USVPU, who can be involved to

management of the process of ECTS introduction into other Ural

institutions.

The course of works under the project is weekly discussed by the Head of

the Coordination Council with the representatives of international

departments of universities (liaison-officers). The meetings of liaison

-officers, as an element of operating control, are widely applied in

activity of the consortium of Ural universities in 1994-98. The functions

of liaison-officers execute the following persons: Prof./Dr. T. Begalova

(USTU), Mrs. Y. Tokpiseva (USPU), Mrs. R. Shamsutdinova (USU).

The managers of works under the project at the universities act in a close

contact with services of international cooperation. These services at

various universities are on the different stages of development, however

they can effort to cover needs of the project. The main work will be

carried out by the most developed subdivisions of the University -

Coordinator (USVPU): the Regional Office for International Cooperation,

Language Center, Regional Centre for Student Exchanges.

The Regional Office for International Cooperation of the USVPU in

cooperation with international departments of other universities[1] is to

fulfill the following functions:

34. Regularly instructs the managers of works at the consortium

universities and various participants about new possibilities and new

kinds of activity in the framework of the project and gives practical

advises.

35. Distributes information about a course of realization of the project,

ensures feedback.

36. Organizes coordination meetings of the managers of works.

37. Realizes interaction with the foreign partners - participants of the

projects.

38. Realizes planning and monitoring the course of realization of the

project.

39. Elaborates the reports (intermediate and final).

40. Represents outcomes of the project to a wide academic public.

41. Organizes international and regional conferences, seminars and

meetings.

42. Realizes developing and issuing of the newsletters.

43. Carries out the accumulation and systematization of materials on the

results of foreign training periods and of the employees of the

consortium universities.

44. Organizes sending and receiving of the official invitations.

45. Realizes communication with embassies and consulates to settle problems

of visa support.

46. Organizes visa maintenance to the foreigners in Ekaterinburg.

47. Helps in registration of the passports, insurance and other necessary

documents for departure abroad.

48. Helps in booking of the travel tickets and hotels.

49. Organizes residing, feed and leisure of the foreign visitors to

university.

50. Creates information and methodical databases for elaboration of social-

cultural programs both for the foreign visitors, and for the university

employees and students departing abroad.

51. Organizes cultural information maintenance concerning country of stay

for students the university employees departing abroad.

52. Organizes a supply.

53. Realizes print-design works of the department.

54. Organizes text translations.

55. Provides serviceable operation of all kinds of communication

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