Campus Europae Newsletter, June 2009
Table of contents
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CE language learning gateway for 09/10 exchange students online
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Fast Facts
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The bitter aftertaste of the European Elections
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European Commission adding one million to EHU Trust Fund
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StudyKaunas.eu awarded the Lithuanian Charlemagne Youth Prize
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University of Latvia reduces study fees
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Desmond Tutu to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Vienna
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- Upcoming events
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- Board of Directors Meeting
CE language learning gateway for 09/10 exchange students online
Following its launch at the University of Vienna in November 2008 the foreign language teaching experts and other foreign language teaching colleagues from the CE universities have invested considerable energy in Hook Up!, CE’s foreign language learning gateway which is being developed with EU support.
Hook Up! will, when completed, be the platform of choice for exchange students to learn the 12 languages of the CE member universities (Finnish, French, German, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, Russian and Turkish). Language learning opportunities will be offered before going abroad in order to enable a better integration of CE movers into the courses of the host university and during the stay abroad to provide students with specialized language requirements relating to their courses. Once CE movers return home it will also assist to further foreign language learning so that students have the opportunity to continue practicing the foreign language they just learnt and assist others CE-movers in the learning of the language of their home and host universities.
Since May, 94 students exchange students have already enrolled in Hook Up! in order to equip themselves with the necessary language requirements for a successful stay abroad in 2009/10. Lessons in German, Spanish, Italian and Russian have been going on for a month, and although attendance is not as high as one would wish due to the exams period, the experience of meeting already students who will be at the same host university in September and learning the language is greatly appreciated. By the end of the month, other A1 level courses for Lithuanian, French, Turkish, Serbian, Latvian, Finnish and Polish will be available to the CE Movers.
An unexpected spill over effect of this project is that staff from the member universities has also expressed interest in joining Hook up! to learn a new foreign language.
Hook Up! Language learning gateway website
Fast facts
The bitter aftertaste of the European Elections
The European Elections held on the 7th of June were marked by the lowest turnout since their inception 30 years ago. Only 43% of the voters in the 27 member states of the EU voted. Perhaps more disturbingly nationalist parties secured sizeable results across the continent, notably in Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania and the UK.
Although it was expected that the economic crisis would negatively impact the outcome of the elections, the combined effect of a low turnover and a steep increase of support towards nationalist parties fundamentally challenges the European project. Europe must not lose touch with its citizens nor decline the responsibility to instill a shared feeling of proximity and familiarity amongst them. This is easier said than done but Europe must, to overcome trends like those which have become so blatant on the election to the European Parliament, become genuinely citizen-centered.
Results of the European Elections
European Commission adding one million to EHU Trust Fund
The European Commission has granted one million Euros to the EHU Trust Fund in 2009. The new donation has been added to the million granted in 2008. With the total donation of two million Euros, the European Commission remains the biggest single donor of the EHU, and accounts for more than one half of all the funding committed to the Trust Fund. The EC donations come from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
StudyKaunas.eu awarded the Lithuanian Charlemagne Youth Prize
The online portal of the Vytautas Magnus University for foreign students won the highest distinction from the national jury of the Charlemagne Youth Prize. The Charlemagne Youth Prize distinguishes projects from all over Europe for their contribution to foster a shared sense of European identity and cooperation. StudyKaunas.eu is a one-stop information point for students interested in an exchange period at the VMU and it provides all necessary information for the entire life-cycle of the exchange while enhancing the visibility and attractiveness of the city and the University.
University of Latvia reduces study fees
In order to give as many would-be students as possible the opportunity of obtaining an excellent science-based education, the university has, in its anniversary year, decided to reduce student fees for students who will begin their studies on September 1st of this year. The average reduction of the study fee is approximately 130 lats a year for one study programme. The average study fee is 1,300 lats a year for a bachelor’s programme and 1,500 lats for a master’s programme.
Desmond Tutu to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Vienna
The University of Vienna will confered an honorary doctorate in theology on the South African Theologian and Nobel Laureate, Dr Desmond Tutu on the 12th of June. The University substantiates the honour with Tutu’s outstanding achievement in applying a theology of "Ubuntu"..
Upcoming events
Board of Directors meeting
Luxembourg, 22nd March 2010
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