STREAM Recognition Platform to Start Second Round of Trainings

The European University Association (EUA) has announced that the second round of training for the online training platform of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STREAM) is now open.

In a press release issued on April 19, EUA noted that the free-of-charge platform is particularly designed for admissions of officers working in universities and colleges of the European Higher Education Area, and it will be open until August 19, Erudera.com reports.

Despite the training materials provided to participants, the latter can also use the “real cases forum” to exchange their experiences and information with peers across Europe.

The platform is part of the Erasmus+ “Spotlight on recognition” project, hosted by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation of internationalisation in education. The project intends to assist higher education officers, whose work is involved in recognition processes and information decisions, by further extending their capacities in recognition procedures complying with the Lisbon Recognition Convention rules. 

The first webinar of the second round, “Smooth recognition of academic qualifications: The role of quality assurance,” will take place on April 29, from 2 pm to 3 pm Central European Summer Time.

Last year, EUA launched the “Spotlight on recognition” project, which will keep running until June 2022.

The first project activities of 2021 from the project included two webinars that took place in January.

Two focus groups are set for the self-assessment methodology implementation, urging all universities, colleges, and staff to reflect on recognition practices improvement.

Previously, EUA, alongside Universities Austria (UNIKO), the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the presidents of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), pushed the EU governments to begin working on recognition of the value of education, research and innovation within the EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

According to the universities associations’ joint statement, the European higher education and research are at risk in the negotiation between the European Parliament, EU Commission, and European Council. They have asked the policymakers to increase funds and promote programs including Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

Following the move, the Council of the European Union has approved the framework program for research and innovation, Horizon Europe, which will run until 2027. The program will be funded with €95.5 billion expected to be allocated.

The political agreement conducted last December between the co-legislators, the European Parliament is expected to adopt the Council’s position in April, which will cause the regulation to be officially approved.