The next Erasmus+ programme must involve a ¡°strengthened commitment¡± to relationships with countries outside the European Union, university groups have urged, as plans for the future of the mobility scheme?take shape.

The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) have? based on a survey of their member institutions, describing international partnerships as ¡°vital for building resilient societies¡± and proposing measures to ¡°deepen and simplify engagement with institutions worldwide¡±, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The position paper cites last year¡¯s Heitor report, which urged Europe¡¯s researchers and companies to cooperate globally in order to avoid ¡°isolation and marginalisation, and to ensure Europe¡¯s future security, prosperity and competitiveness¡±.

Calling on the EU to ¡°strengthen strategic commitments¡± with LMICs, the paper advises that simplification of the next EU budget ¡°should not create new silos which unnecessarily separate internal and external priorities in ways that risk undermining the unique added value of the integrated mutual benefit that Erasmus+ produces¡±.

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Commending the International Credit Mobility initiative, which enables short-term exchanges between countries participating in Erasmus+ and non-participant countries, the university groups call for it to be simplified, with more flexible eligibility rules, ¡°simplified visa arrangements¡± and improved systems for the recognition of study, teaching and training abroad.

Both short- and long-term exchanges should be facilitated through Erasmus+, the groups advise, while first-time participants should ¡°receive better support for travel planning, insurance and accommodation¡±. The position paper further stresses that ¡°the decision-making structures of African institutions need to be better understood, included in the planning and respected¡±.

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Highlighting the joint master¡¯s programmes established under the Erasmus Mundus initiative, ARUA and the guild note the difficulties in participation faced by institutions from outside the Bologna Process, as well as the limitations placed on universities in LMICs by ¡°financial constraints and administrative burden¡±.

Among the umbrella groups¡¯ recommendations are clearer application processes, continued EU funding to successful programmes, more financial assistance to partners in LMICs and a continued bottom-up structure.

Capacity building in higher education (CBHE) projects under Erasmus+ ¡°could support mutual learning about best practices from third countries, for example to identify the practices which could be used as sources of inspiration for European universities¡±, the position paper states, noting that ¡°currently, the predominant focus of CBHE is on non-European institutions learning from the EU higher education sector¡±.

Urging the CBHE initiative to ¡°avoid being too prescriptive¡± to allow for ¡°adequate flexibility in terms of the topics that can be addressed, the consortium requirements, as well as how the projects are administered once approved¡±, the?umbrella bodies recommend ¡°ambitious funding¡±, improved guidance for applicants and funding mechanisms to ¡°allow successful projects to continue or scale up¡±.

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The name ¡°capacity building¡±, the umbrella groups noted, could be problematic, as it ¡°implies relationships based on inequality rather than common values and interests¡±.

Cooperation between EU and non-EU countries ¡°should not be limited to a one-way transfer of knowledge¡±, the groups state,?adding: ¡°It should be based on equal opportunities for academic collaboration, fostering diverse perspectives, intercultural understanding, mutual respect and innovation, addressing global challenges, knowledge transfer and exchange of best practices.¡±

emily.dixon@timeshighereducation.com