International Partnerships are pleased to announce that the University of Kent has received a top rating following an assessment by the British Council, the UK’s National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme, for Kent’s management, delivery and promotion of the programme during 2015-16.
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport for 2014-2020. Higher education institutions can apply for funding to run collaborative strategic partnerships to improve their provision for learners and share innovative practices. Erasmus+ helps participants at all stages of their life to pursue stimulating opportunities for learning and gain the valuable life-skills and international experience they need to succeed in today’s world.
The University of Kent is an active participant in the Erasmus+ programme, exchanging some 600 students per year with over 100 European partner institutions. Following the recent assessment, Kent received a score of 81% and a rating of “Very Good” (the highest possible rating) and were praised for (among other things):
- Our successful initiatives to increase participation rates among staff
- The high satisfaction rates among students and staff participating in the programme
- Our summer school initiative to offer additional mobility opportunities to students
- The positive outcomes on our students and staff
- Our drive for continuous improvement
The assessment noted “It is encouraging for the team involved in Erasmus+ to receive the high high (sic) satisfaction rates i.e. inbound students 94%, staff outbound 98% and staff inbound 100%”.
The University’s Erasmus team, together with all in International Partnerships, are very pleased with the result and look forward to another year working for benefit of staff and students who wish to to study, train, volunteer or gain work experience abroad through the programme. By happy coincidence, these positive results are received alongside the ongoing celebrations of the Erasmus+ 30 year Anniversary.