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17 years ago, two colleagues met for the first time. They did not know it then, but the first seeds were sown for the beginning of a European dream, where students would come together in mutual appreciation of the importance of an entrepreneurial marketing approach to future economic prosperity. Professor Matthias Eickhoff of FH Mainz and Andrew Turnbull established a relationship then that has led to on-going exchange creating many benefits for both institutions. Indeed, this cooperation developed further to embrace other European institutions. It has even generated European Union funding to support the foundation of a Business Creativity module delivered across borders.
Read Andrew's full story in his Highly Commended 2012 Competition Essay
"Even if you’re a veteran like me, there’s always something new to learn! Apart from gaining new perspectives, this is a great way to learn about a partner institution – which is vital if you’re sending students there. A staff visit can also provide the chance to learn a new language, or brush up on one you already know – I did German at school, but haven’t had cause to use it since. One of the sessions I attended was held in German, and I was delighted at how much I understood. One of the other great things about staff mobility is that you can do other things while you are there – you can visit your students, you can talk about research projects you may have on the go – and you get the opportunity to look through a window to new and exciting areas that you may not have considered before. Not only that, but if you attend a week like I did, you may end up with some new partners – be they for Erasmus or other activities your institution is involved in. One of the selling benefits to students is that an Erasmus period looks good on their CV – this is no different for staff. Staff visits can be included on a CV and demonstrates that staff are open to new ideas and challenges, and are keen to find new perspectives on their work. Sure, you can stay in your home institution and maintain the status quo, or you could go on Erasmus Staff Mobility and gain new perspectives, new ideas, new partners, new friends, new methods of working and, perhaps the main downside, an extended waistline!"
Read Julia's winning story in the 'Stories behind the Statistics' brochure that highlights some of the great photos and essays we received as part of the British Council Erasmus Competition 2010.
Eric took part in the Erasmus exchange programme for staff and went for one week to the Technisches Universität München, Germany. His goals were to exchange good practice and to improve his knowledge of Research Funding and thus his ability to provide relevant advice to researchers at Aston. He also wanted to establish long-term, international networks and foster further exchanges with the Technischen Universität München. Eric believed that this opportunity let him benchmark his skills against other foreign colleagues who were working in a similar field and allowed him to evaluate the management skills and written EU research bids of German colleagues.
As well as benefiting him and his university professionally, he feels that it has benefited him personally, “It gave me a “new push” and new ideas to implement at work, especially in terms of research policy, bids writing and research area shaping. I also improved my international networking with one of the most dynamic research universities in Germany.” Eric appreciated both the academic and cultural benefits this exchange programme offered him and highly recommends it to staff who want to test their skills in a different environment and improve their career options.
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