Cruise Hospitality

Erasmus +

Erasmus Policy Statement
The participation of Casa College in the Erasmus+ Programme is part of its strategy for modernisation and internationalisation whereby the key contribution of mobile staff and students, and the participation in European and international cooperation projects is acknowledged, strengthened and improved. Mobility of staff and students (EU and Non-EU) and cooperation with other Higher Education Institutes (HEls) and other strategic partners, such as networks and enterprises through cooperation projects, is the main aim of our institutional policy. About 90% of the College students are international, representing over 15 different countries and studying in a multicultural environment that promotes friendship, cooperation and understanding. The language of instruction is English.

By signing the Charter, we agree to its principles and commit to work towards the five objectives that contribute to the European Union’s modernisation and internationalisation agenda in higher education. More specifically, Casa College decides to contribute in increasing the attainment levels to provide the graduates and researchers that Europe needs. The student mobility scheme is an important marketing and recruiting tool which will help in attracting more students and thus, producing more graduates. Through inclusive access and policies for learning, the College will further increase its number of students. Staff mobility will help develop 2^nd-cycle degrees (which they do not exist in our institution at the moment) and build research collaborations.

As for improving the quality and relevance of higher education, Casa College degrees will be modernised to address labour needs, and applied research will be developed through industry-academia collaboration. Likewise, research and innovation will be enhanced through the exchange of administrative and teaching staff while learning will improve through relevant 1^st-cycle degrees and training, and through award schemes for recognising excellence in teaching/learning. Furthermore, the College will develop an e-environment and prepare students for the digital era through different ICT methods.

Strengthening the quality through mobility and cross-border cooperation will be achieved through the attraction of skilful students and academic staff. Thus, better quality degrees and research will be provided. Any barriers prohibiting cross-border education should be removed both at the national and institutional level.

The linking of higher education, research and business, for excellence and regional development will be accomplished by allowing the institution to integrate into society and industry; to develop applied and industry-oriented research for the benefit of the society, and by developing industry-oriented degrees; to produce graduates who meet labour needs by integrating in our degrees an industry mobility/practicum, creating industry advisory councils, and adopting the regulations of professional associations.

Casa College will modernise its governance in order to deal more efficiently and effectively with cross-border education. Through this, we shall achieve the improvement of governance and funding. The International Strategy and its implementation will require the building of strategic and human resource skills into managers, and the effective use of ICT. This will result in a better-managed organisation that will adhere to its strategic directions, aims and objectives.

Inter-institutional agreements or partnerships will be based on a comprehensive understanding and shared quality requirements with the partner institution, with special attention to the compatibility of academic profiles.

In the case of a Training Agreement, all provisions to ensure the mobility of high quality shall be settled for both students and staff. Casa College ensures that equal access and opportunities are open to mobile participants from all backgrounds. Our mobility target groups will include both incoming and outgoing student credit mobility at a Bachelor level from participating and non-participating countries for studies, as well as placements in enterprises. At the same time, academic and non-academic staff mobility between HEls and enterprises is supported both for teaching and training with participating and non-participating countries. Staff from enterprises is also supported to deliver training courses.

Casa College agrees to respect in full the principles of non-discrimination, apply a selection process that is fair, transparent and well-documented, ensuring equal access and opportunities to all participants eligible for mobility. Furthermore, the College agrees to ensure recognition for completed activities concerning studies and traineeships.

We are aware of the possible actions to be funded under the Programme and its priorities, with regard to the learning mobility of individuals, the cooperation for innovation and good practices, as well as the support for policy reforms.

Erasmus+ Brief Description
For over 25 years, Europe has funded the Erasmus programme, which has enabled millions of European students to spend part of their studies in another higher education institution elsewhere in Europe. Established by the European Commission, Erasmus+ invests in the education and training of people of all ages and backgrounds in order to boost their personal development, skills, and job prospects. Erasmus was an integral part of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) from 2007 to 2013, replaced by the Erasmus+ Programme in 2014. The mobility component of the Erasmus+ Programme enables higher education students to study for part of their degree or to pursue a traineeship in a European or other associated country; it encourages teacher and staff mobility; and, promotes transnational cooperation projects among universities across Europe.

The Erasmus+ Programme refers to ‘Programme Countries’ and ‘Partner Countries’.
Programme Countries are those countries participating fully in the Erasmus+ programme. To do so, they have set up a National Agency and contribute financially to the programme. The 33 Programme Countries are:

• the 28 EU Member States,
• Iceland,
• Liechtenstein,
• Norway,
• the North Macedonia, and
• Turkey.

Partner Countries are all the other countries in the world, grouped together in different regions.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/education/opportunities/international-cooperation/documents/mobility-faqs_en.pdf

Partners Universities
The European Commission’s Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency has granted Casa College the Erasmus Charter Higher Education (CY NICOSIA36).
Currently, Casa College cooperates with 7 different European countries and has 11 bilateral agreements signed with different higher education institutions for academic exchange.

* S: Student Mobility T: Teaching Mobility

For more information please visit:

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en

https://www.erasmusprogramme.com

Please contact the Erasmus Office at erasmus@casacollege.ac.cy for further guidance.