Megan McComb on LinkedIn: The pleasure of seeing the fruits of your labor. 🙏 ✨ I am currently… (2024)

📣 Heads up! The upcoming application deadlines for DAAD programs and scholarships have been announced! If you're planning to pursue research or study in Germany, this is an incredible opportunity to gain support for your academic journey. Stay ahead and mark your calendars for the next semester's deadlines! ✈ #DAAD #AcademicOpportunities #StudyInGermany #Research #scholarships2024

📈 #UICBarcelona has consolidated its classification in the international "QS World University Rankings: Europe 2025", climbing over 10 positions in the overall ranking that focuses exclusively on European universities.The University stands out in the indicator “faculty-student ratio”, as it occupies 1st position of the 44 Spanish universities. This recognition demonstrates our commitment with the teaching and learning mission, with the highest number of teaching staff per student.Under the indicator “international student diversity”, UIC Barcelona is among the five best Spanish which highlights our dedication to fostering a global learning environment.The QS World University Rankings methodology evaluates institutions across key areas, including “#Research,” “#Employability,” “#Learning,” “#GlobalCommitment,” “#Sustainability", and especially focuses on exchange and internationalisation, two metrics considered fundamental in Europe.#DrivingInternationalForward #RankingsUIC #International #QS #Europe

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The University of Trento is confirmed for the second year in a row as the top university in Italy among those of average size (with a student population between 10.000 and 20.000) according to the national ranking of universities, Censis.Various the aspects taken into consideration: services, scholarships, facilities, communication and digital services, internationalization and employability. Internationalization got the highest score among all public Italian universities. Internationalization measures the university's investment in international mobility, the share of courses offered in English, dual degree or joint degree programs, the number of international students enrolled and those who have spent time abroad.Good reasons to choose the University of Trento as the seat of your studies!

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International competition among universities is based on various factors such as the quality of education, reputation, scientific research, program offerings, international partnerships, student exchange, and academic staff. Price may be one element, but it is not the only decisive factor. After a series of discussions and observations regarding the development of Asian universities, which is the subject of the APAIE | Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2024 conference, I ask myself, to department managers, quality vice-deans, methodologists, and of course lecturers: what do we have to offer? Higher education institutions mainly compete through:-quality of education: Good teaching programs, highly qualified academic staff, and professional internships can attract students.- scientific research: Prestigious research and publications can enhance the university's reputation and attract both students and researchers.- international partnerships: Collaboration with renowned foreign universities enables student and staff exchanges and joint research projects.- program offerings: A diverse range of study programs, including programs conducted in English, can attract students from different countries.- infrastructure: Modern educational facilities, laboratories, libraries, and other amenities can be attractive to students and researchers.These factors can affect the university's position in global rankings and its ability to attract students and staff from other countries. Where do we stand? Thirty years ago, while working for Polish, British, and French universities, I observed the mechanisms of building the competitive position of Asian universities - representing Uniwersytet WSB Merito Chorzów during the APAIE 2024 conference, with the appropriate time perspective, I directly see the effects of this. At the same time, from my current professional practice, I also observe how countries in the Arabian Peninsula are investing in this sector. It is impossible not to notice the activity of American and Western European universities, establishing their branches or promotion and recruitment offices in these regions. Offering joint degrees with local universities is standard practice. The obvious goal is to carve out a part of the educational pie for themselves. It is worth taking appropriate action not to fall behind in this competition. It is a challenging but urgent challenge.#highereducation #competitiveness #internationaleducation #internationalcompetition

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https://lnkd.in/g5bn5hSb We have hosted a faculty/SIO from University of Hawaii at Hilo with us for a month in March. It was wonderful "Blended Mobility" for staff(!) -- learned a lot from Todd Shumway on US Education system. Thank you (a big mahalo) for choosing Kansai University! It is considered a part of our new initiative JIGE (Japan hub for Innovative Global Education) 2023-2028. For those from our partner universities, if you are thinking of doing a short staff stay with us, on sabbatical or JSPS, or other resources available out there, we will be happy to consider hosting. International Education 2.0 (Shall we say Education 4.0) needs lots of capacity building among the teachers and staff-- why do something new and stick to it, if you are not quite sure what it is for? They need to know and believe that it is something worth paying effort for. "Why" + "How" and "What" -- golden combination of all three pieces are in need, none of them should be missed out. Staff exchange and faculty communication are great ways to do so; internationalization is not just with students. #IIGE #internationaleducation #COIL #JIGE

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As I take a break from the University of Potsdam to take up a Guest Professorship at the European-University Viadrina, it’s perhaps high time to reflect upon the actions that helped me pursue my vision of a more intercultural, more collaborative, and less hierarchical academia:🚩 Securing funding from a Uni Potsdam’s internal funding line to create research and teaching partnerships with the Brazilian universities UFMG, UFBA, and, more recently, UNICAMP: Among several actions, my Brazilian colleagues held guest lectures and block seminars in Germany, thereby reversing the usual direction of knowledge transfer (from the Global North to the Global South) and contributing to true dialogue.The first of these connections, with my home university in Brazil, UFMG, became a DAAD-funded mobility project, which enables colleagues from Brazil and Germany to conduct research visits in six different universities and explore synergies in the study of video-mediated intercultural communication.🚩 Engaging in Rede Apoena (in its early days), a network of Brazilian researchers in Germany now thriving in several German states.🚩 Building new research connections in Europe, too: As a visiting research fellow at King’s College London last year, I worked with brilliant colleagues and found new partners for ongoing and future projects. My colleagues in Finland (Oulu, Tampere, Jyväskylä) are also an endless source of inspiration and a great example of professional competence.🚩 Developing a project with the language-learning company Babbel: Uni Potsdam MA students were engaged in that project and showed how productive this kind of partnership can be for everyone involved.🚩 And, of course, there is ReDICo (www.redico.eu), the BMBF-funded joint project of which I am a member, which has cooperation as its motto.I want to continue following my vision at the European-University Viadrina and beyond. If you are a researcher or a representative of a company, an NGO, or a governmental institution who shares the vision of creating a more international, intercultural, and collaborative future, do contact me! I’d love to keep in touch and think of new projects in the months and years ahead.

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Tuscan Organisation of Universities and Research for Europe (TOUR4EU) is thrilled to have participated in the third and final edition of the report "Towards a New Approach to Higher Education in the European Union" The report, written by Dr. Eleonora Erittu, serves numerous purposes:🔻 it reconstructs the process that led to the current landscape of the educational sector at the EU level;🔻 it highlights the emerging challenges to such a comprehensive approach to education across the European continent;🔻 it presents tools to address and overcome these challenges.The report is the result of intense cooperation between the Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS), the Associazione Amici della Scuola Normale Superiore and the Tuscan Organisation of Universities and Research for Europe (TOUR4EU) 🙋♂️ 🤔 The study aims to contextualise the ecosystem in which European tertiary institutions operate and discusses the immense opportunities and challenges on the horizon in the short term (2021-2024) and medium term (2021- 2027 and Vision 2030).📢 It is also a toolkit for the general public and interested non-technical parties, given its jargon-free style. Special thanks to the author, Dr. Eleonora Erittu 🙌 You can download the report here 👉 https://lnkd.in/egDWc9Sf

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🎓 I've just completed my Master's Degree in European and Nordic Studies at the University of Helsinki! I would like to share with you my joy and a couple of reflections. 💪 I feel like throughout the past two years I learned so much which, even though did not help tame my hunger for knowledge 😉, made me a richer individual. Rich in connections, flexibility, persistence, resilience, creativity, decision-making and planning skills, critical thinking, handling solitude, and ability to embrace many perspectives of understanding the topical issues. It trained me in self-management like nothing else.💐 The multidisciplinary character of the Programme allowed me to follow many paths, but I am particularly grateful for getting involved in the research on immigration and populism. I see academia as a potential outlet to contribute to positive changes, and promoting underheard agencies always drives my work and projects. Having the opportunity to follow this ideal in my dissertation and studies kept me motivated through the dark Finnish winters and long hours of library time. 📖 The ENS Programme managed to support my quest for understanding the specifics of the Nordic region, which was one of the main academic objectives I set for myself when moving to Finland. The University offered a great space for growth with its opportunities, such as events, research programs & hubs, or internships. The student-friendly infrastructure made it all way easier, too. I also appreciate the possibility of becoming more skilled in other areas than our majors, including comprehensive language courses. 🤔 What I hope for, however, is more of the general recognition for the inter-field specializations, especially within humanities, and appreciation of the knowledge at the intersection of politics, culture, and society outside of academia, too. I have taken equally many courses in humanities AND social sciences. I graduated with an MA, which I received from the Faculty of Social Sciences. Still, I feel like the MSocSc might have been more valued in the job market. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on these points.📸 P.S. I've been waiting for the official pictures, but the lighting made my diploma look entirely white and my hair surprisingly red, so here you go with the portrait taken by my mom at the graduation ceremony :)

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Hello everyone,Last year, I applied to several Italian universities and was fortunate to receive acceptance letters from both the University of Bologna and the University of Torino. However, due to some unforeseen issues, I wasn't able to attend either of them.During my application process, I also applied for a scholarship at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. As part of my scholarship application, I created a video that effectively showcased my qualifications, experiences, and motivation for studying in Italy.For those of you who are currently preparing your applications, I wanted to share my experience and insights to help you create a compelling scholarship application video. Here are some tips based on what worked well for me:1. Introduction: - Start with a brief introduction of yourself, including your name and academic background.2. Motivation: - Clearly explain why you are passionate about studying at this particular university and program. - Highlight what excites you about the curriculum, faculty, research opportunities, or the university’s reputation.3. Academic and Professional Background: - Summarize your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any professional or extracurricular experiences. - Emphasize how these experiences have prepared you for the program you are applying to.4. Future Goals: - Discuss your career aspirations and how this program aligns with your goals. - Explain how receiving the scholarship will help you achieve your objectives and make a significant impact in your field.5. Personal Qualities: - Highlight personal qualities or skills that make you a strong candidate, such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, or a passion for your field of study.6. Conclusion: - End with a strong closing statement, reiterating your enthusiasm for the opportunity and thanking the scholarship committee for their consideration.Creating a video that is clear, concise, and genuine can significantly enhance your scholarship application. By sharing my video, I hope to give you a clearer idea of how to structure and present your own application effectively.Good luck with your applications! Feel free to ask any questions or share your own experiences🤩#studyinitaly #studyabroad #scholarshiptips #universities #study

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Info Session on Studying in France! 🎓📅15 February 2024📍 De Haagse Hogeschool / The Hague University of Applied Sciences Room OV1.51🕒 16:30-17:15Ever dreamt of studying in France? 🥐🍷 Beyond the clichés of croissants and red wine, this dream can be a reality for everyone, even if you don't speak French. Surprisingly, French Universities offer over 1300 English-taught programmes, and there is no need for a pre-master to enter a master's programme. With low tuition fees, numerous scholarships, and opportunities to improve your French, studying in France is a smart choice for European Studies THUAS students.Join us for an interactive session with Marnix Satter, Scientific and University Cooperation Officer at Institut français NL and responsible for Campus France in the Netherlands. 🔍 What to expect:- Insights into the benefits of studying in France- Q&A session with students- Language: English. Questions can be asked in Dutch and French.🚪 Doors open at 16:15. No registration needed.

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