Established in 2011, the core philosophy of CIT revolves around arming potential students with a competitive skillset in demand not only in Albania and the Balkans but also in the thriving European and North American labour markets. The decision to offer curricula in English not only facilitates the utilization of the latest teaching methodologies and up-to-date academic materials but also opens doors for graduates, expanding their horizons beyond the Balkan region and fostering a truly global perspective.

Erasmus+ Mobility refers to a program under the broader Erasmus+ initiative, which is a European Union (EU) program designed to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. Erasmus+ Mobility at CIT specifically focuses on promoting international mobility and cooperation among students, faculty members and staff within the EU and partner countries.

Erasmus+ Mobility plays a crucial role in promoting a European dimension in education, enhancing the quality and relevance of education and training, and fostering collaboration between institutions across borders. The program aims to create a more interconnected and internationally minded European educational community.

1. VISION AND MISSION

Canadian Institute of Technology supports physical and blended mobility of higher education students in any study field and cycle (short cycle, bachelor, master). Students can either study abroad at a partner higher education institution or carry out a traineeship in an enterprise, a research institute, a laboratory, an organization or any other relevant workplace abroad. Students can also combine a study period abroad with a traineeship, further enhancing the learning outcomes and development of transversal skills. Canadian Institute of Technology supports higher education academic and administrative staff in professional development activities abroad. CIT also stimulates and promotes the dual education system through engaging corporate and enterprise experts in student teaching and training programs. Described approaches may include teaching and training activities such as job shadowing, observation periods, and training courses.

2. NON-DISCRIMINATION AND TRANSPARENCY

CIT is committed to non-discrimination, transparency, and inclusion implement various measures to uphold these principles for both students and staff. Institutions establish comprehensive equality policies that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. These policies detail the commitment to prevent and address systemic discrimination within the organization. From the other side clear procedures are put in place for reporting and addressing complaints related to discrimination, ensuring that individuals can voice their concerns without fear of retaliation. At CIT regular training sessions are conducted for staff and management to raise awareness about systemic discrimination and equip them with the skills to identify and prevent it.

3. INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

Inclusion and diversity shall be achieved by ensuring access to students and staff mobility in the easiest possible way that is in line with the principles of the ECHE. CIT (International Relation and Projects Office) will ensure equal and equitable access and opportunities to current and prospective participants regardless of their background. That means the program shall ensure the inclusion of participants with fewer opportunities, such as participants with physical, mental and health-related conditions, students with children, employed students or professional athletes, and students underrepresented by any other criteria. Said that it is essential to ensure internal candidate selection, nomination and assessment procedures that holistically address selection criteria based on equality, inclusion, merit and motivation for each candidate.

4. OBJECTIVES

The main objectives targeting students are to:

• Expose students to different views, knowledge, teaching and research methods as well as work practices in their study field in the European and international context;
• Develop their transversal skills such as communication skills, language skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, inter-cultural skills and research skills;
• Develop their forward-looking skills, such as digital and green skills that will enable them to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow;
• Facilitate personal development, such as adapting to new situations and self-confidence.

The main objectives that arise out of teaching or training abroad for academic staff are to:

• Share their expertise;
• Experience a new teaching environment;
• Acquire new innovative pedagogical, curriculum design and digital skills;
• Connect with their peers abroad to develop joint activities related to the program’s objectives;
• Exchange good practices and enhance cooperation between higher education institutions;
• Better prepare students for the labour market.

5. KEY FEATURES OF ERASMUS+ MOBILITY

Student Mobility Provides opportunities for students to study or undergo a traineeship abroad, allowing them to gain international experience, enhance language skills, and broaden their cultural understanding. Student mobility can be carried out in any study field and during any study cycle (short cycle/bachelor/master) practiced at CIT. The high-quality mobility activities with maximum impact on the students are insured through compatibility with the student’s degree-related learning and personal development needs. Students may carry out the following opportunities:

• A study period abroad at a partner higher education institution. The study period abroad must be part of the student’s study programme and related to the particular part of the study cycle student is currently attending. A study period abroad may include a traineeship period as well. Such a combination creates synergies between the academic and professional experience abroad.
• A traineeship (work placement, internship) abroad in an enterprise, university, a research institute, a laboratory, an organization or any other relevant workplace. Traineeships abroad are supported during studies at any study cycle and for recent graduates.

Staff Mobility Allows academic and administrative staff from educational institutions to undertake teaching assignments, training, or professional development activities in another country, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. High-quality mobility activities with maximum impact shall be related to the staffs’ professional development and need to address their learning and personal development interests. Staff may carry out any of the activities described below:

• A teaching period abroad at a partner higher education institution. The foreseen teaching period enables teaching staff to teach at a partner higher education institution abroad. Staff mobility for teaching can be in any study field of CIT.
• A training period abroad at a partner institution, enterprise, or other relevant workplaces. The training period abroad enables academic and administrative staff to participate in a training activity abroad that is relevant to their day-to-day work at CIT. It may take the form of training events (excluding conferences) or job shadowing and observation periods.

6. CREDIT RECOGNITION

At CIT recognition of ECTS credits for Erasmus+ mobilities is a structured process designed to ensure that students can seamlessly transfer academic credits earned during their study abroad experiences back to their home institutions. This recognition is crucial for enhancing student mobility across Europe and beyond. All credits gained during the study period abroad, as stipulated in the Learning Agreement and confirmed by the Transcript of Records, should be transferred without delay and counted towards the student’s degree. This is known as the “ECTS Golden Rule” and is essential for facilitating mobility without additional assessments or requirements upon return to the home institution. Before embarking on their mobility, students must establish a Learning Agreement that outlines the courses they plan to take at the host institution. This agreement serves as a formal contract between the sending and receiving institutions regarding which courses will be recognized. To facilitate recognition, students need to submit several documents, including: -Transcript of Records: Issued by the host institution at the end of the mobility period, detailing the courses taken and grades received. -Recognition Agreement: A document confirming that all parties agree on which subjects will be recognized after successful completion CIT has developed transparent recognition processes that are accessible to students. This includes publishing guidelines online and providing support through dedicated offices or coordinators who can assist with any issues during the mobility period. ECTS recognition for Erasmus+ mobilities is designed to support student mobility by ensuring that academic credits earned abroad are recognized effectively at home institutions. By adhering to established guidelines and fostering transparency, universities can facilitate a smoother transition for students participating in international exchanges. Credit Transfer supports the seamless transfer of credits earned during international mobility periods, ensuring that study or work undertaken abroad contributes to the student’s overall academic progress.

7. QUALITY ASSURANCE

Quality assurance in mobility projects, particularly within the Erasmus+ framework, is essential for ensuring effective and beneficial experiences for participants. This involves adherence to established standards and practices that enhance the quality of educational and training mobility initiatives across Europe. CIT has established good practices and policies to ensure that the process to be clear and there is no misunderstanding. To effectively implement quality assurance in mobility projects, CIT consider the following best practices like: -Establish clear agreements with reputable partners to ensure quality service delivery -Implement clear procedures -Ensuring transparency of procedures -Publishing policy and procedures -Utilize digital tools to streamline communication and documentation processes related to quality assurance Quality Assurance emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in education and training through international cooperation, ensuring that mobility experiences contribute positively to the overall learning outcomes.