The Impact of the ERASMUS+ Programme on the Internationalization of Higher Education in Ukraine

Abstract

The article highlights the effects of the ERASMUS+ programme (an acronym for European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) has on the internationalisation of higher education in Ukraine. ERASMUS+ is one of the European Union’s flagship programmes in the area of higher education policy. It is related to the Lifelong Learning Programme, whose aim is to strengthen quality and the European dimension in higher education, foster mobility and improve transparency and recognition of studies across Europe. ERASMUS+ programme provides mobility grants to students, academics and administrative staff, but it also supports other activities to enhance the European dimension of studies, such as intensive programmes, the development of curricula or thematic networks. The main objective of the article has been to explore how participation in ERASMUS+ programme affects Ukrainian higher education institutions and indeed contributes to their further internationalisation and modernization. Internationalisation, thus, in this context and following J. Knight has been understood as the process of integrating an international, intercultural or global dimension into the purpose, functions or delivery of higher education. As the result of the study a number of practical recommendations for Ukrainian higher education institutions has been elaborated as to how to enhance the international dimension of their work by means of active participation in the programme.