On January 1, 2014, a new program of the European Union to improve skills and employability in the field of education, training, youth, and sports was launched under the name “Erasmus+”. Between 2014 and 2020, the program allowed more than 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain work experience, or volunteer abroad. In the field of education and training, the Erasmus+ initiative is known for the opportunities it provides for students to study abroad, as well as the opportunities it provides for staff in higher education institutions. 14.7 billion euros have been allocated for expenses related to the program.
The Erasmus+ program combines the EU lifelong learning program, the EU Youth in Action program, as well as five previous programs in the field of higher education for countries outside the European Union (Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink and the cooperation program with developed countries) into one common program. Since the Erasmus+ program is built based on previous programs, it has applied the most successful aspects and proven concepts of its predecessors. However, the program currently integrates funding in the field of sports.
“Erasmus+” activates activities in the fields of education, youth, and sports in three different directions:
| Key area 1
Credit mobility |
Educational mobility for persons from all areas of general and professional education |
| Key area 2 Cooperation projects |
Strategic partnership with scientific societies “Sector Skills Alliances”, IT-platforms, including partnerships through eTwinning between higher education institutions of the European Union countries and partner countries |
| Key area 3
Support for reforms |
Support of the agenda for the modernization of higher education in all areas of general and professional education, development and implementation of recognized EU transparency tools; Creation of a network of experts on reforming higher education, as well as support for dialogue on educational policy. |
The goal of the Erasmus+ program for Higher Education is to modernize and improve education in higher education institutions in Europe and the rest of the world. It provides opportunities for students and staff to develop skills and improve career prospects.
Department of academic mobility of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute
Advantages of participating in the Erasmus+ exchange program:
- educational – an opportunity to compare the quality of education, teaching methods, and educational methods, as well as the work of higher education institutions abroad.
- linguistic – a chance to fluently master a foreign language and terminology characteristic of a certain field of knowledge;
- cultural – getting to know the culture of the country, the way of life of its inhabitants, and student life;
- life experience – the prospect of becoming independent and developing the ability to face unforeseen situations.
Participating in student mobility can be an invaluable experience, as students are encouraged to take up the challenge and take advantage of the opportunity provided by the European Union to study abroad.
Currently, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has credit mobility projects with more than 50 partner universities under the Erasmus+ program. Among the partner universities under the credit mobility program are such well-known universities as the Wroclaw University of Technology (Poland); University of Granada (Spain); Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain); Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium); University of Lorraine (France); Milan Polytechnic (Italy); Friedrich Schiller Jena University (Germany); Middle East Technical University (Turkey) and many others.