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Development and Coordination of an Erasmus Mundus Joint MSc – Global Innovation Management . Ross Maclachlan, Martin Gregory University of Strathclyde. Global Innovation Management (GIM) . 2 year, 120 ECTS, Joint MSc programme For graduates of Engineering, Science and Technology
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Development and Coordination of an Erasmus Mundus Joint MSc – Global Innovation Management Ross Maclachlan, Martin Gregory University of Strathclyde
Global Innovation Management (GIM) • 2 year, 120 ECTS, Joint MSc programme • For graduates of Engineering, Science and Technology • Programme Objectives: • Expand the Innovation Management student’s perspective to include design as integral to the innovation process and as a practical approach to product/service development; • Produce graduates with a truly global perspective of Innovation Management; • Provide candidates with skill sets that can be applied in both larger multinational organisations, and SMEs; • Develop research capable graduates with an increased understanding of activities inputting into the innovation process.
Consortium Development • Initiated a strategic institutional level • All partners are members of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) • Aims to ‘To develop high-quality collaborative educational programmes, by building on research and teaching strengths within individual ECIU member institutions.’ • University of Strathclyde (UofS) • Department of Design Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM) • Aalborg University (AAU) • Center for Industrial Production (CIP) • Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) • Institute of Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) • Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) • (AGSE) since 2010 Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship
Consortium Operation • UofS elected as the coordinating partner as the largest institution and academic department • Formed the Joint Course Management Committee (JCMC) including key academics and administrative staff from each partner meeting at least twice per year. • Functions include: • QA – course review, joint exam board • Promotion • Development of progress and final reports for Erasmus Mundus • Collaborative agreement signed by all partners sets out the functions of the JCMC, the responsibilities of partners, fees and administrative budgets. This was essential for Erasmus Mundus selection.
Development Challenges • Integrating 3 differing regulatory and administrative systems, in particular: • Award type • Fees • QA • Development of an integrated curriculum • Provision of interesting, academically sound and manageable mobility routes
Programme Structure/Mobility • Initially considered a variety of very flexible semester structures with multiple programme entry points and mobility possible on a semester basis
Programme Structure/Mobility Proposed joint Supervision of Thesis project between host institution and another partner • Mobility provides global experience and choice based on location and style of learning • Common Foundation year - consistent MSc award and establishes student community • Mobility (more!) easily managed • Eased QA and admin where all students spend time at administering institution
Integrated Curriculum • Partner expertise, mobility structure, existing modules considered simultaneously to develop curriculum. • DMEM capability in practical innovation (design, engineering) and its management • CIP focussed on ‘problem based learning’ within service and product innovation management • TIM now linked to business school with leading research and teaching in radical global innovation management • A shared understanding of innovation management, in particular a global perspective. • Different enough to dictate a ‘complementary’ curriculum type. • Development meetings focussed on integration of taught modules across 2 years identifying common thread.
Global Design Module • Prepares students with the knowledge, skills and experience to become competent members of global/distributed design teams. • GIM students bring a further multicultural element to the class • Global Projects, VC lectures, key to programmes underlying theme and future integration of the curriculum
Award • Strathclyde take a particular stand point in not awarding Double degrees. • Former partner could not award joint degrees. • Some issues with joint awards in Denmark, but these have now been addressed. • AAU and TUHH do not classify MSc awards and therefore the Joint award is unclassified i.e. no distinction, merit, pass • Diploma Supplement is therefore important in explaining the award externally. • Both AAU and TUHH use ECTS locally. Scottish/Australian credits map easily to ECTS, therefore this is the common credit system for the programme – no issue.
The Students • Approx. 400 applications in 2008, 600 in 2009. • 50-70 Countries represented each year. • Students are excellent – highly motivated and proactive. • Brings a diversity to the PG population that is beneficial for all students and teaching (particularly our Global aspects). • EU student scholarships have been a good addition, but we have found attract less applications. • Can be very demanding, more so than other students.
Challenges for the Future • UK Tuition fees. • Currency rates – all payments to students must be the exact Euro amount, and once fees are set must take account of fluctuation. • Work towards sustainability of programme beyond the funded period • Increasing EU graduate application numbers • Converting more of the scholarship applications to self-funded applications • Continue to look for co-financing opportunities • Streamlining application processing. • Developing a strong Alumni network and retaining the best students for PhD study. • Ensuring SUT are an integral part of the consortium operation.