ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MOBILITY PROGRAMME

1. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MOBILITY PROGRAMME Working Group within the Compostela Group of Universities COORDINATOR: UNIVERSIDADE DE VIGO

2. Introduction • Since 2002, the aim of this programme is to promote the mobility of Administrative Staff among University members within the Compostela Group by means of working visits. • All Universities interested in participating in the exchanges during 2003-04 have signed a letter of endorsement confirming its wish to take part in the working visits, and have outlined an offer form, explaining which services or offices the administrative staff could visit, as well as the benefits provided by the host institution (mainly accommodation).

3. Working visitsAdministrative Staff Mobility Programme • These working visits allow participants to discover the functioning of a similar service and improve his or her skills. The host institution also profits from the visits (in the offer form a specific or necessary profile may be requested). • Maximum duration of each working visit: one or two weeks. Period of the working visits: March – September. • The programme takes place, not on a mutual basis, institution-institution, but within the network.

4. Institutions and mobility in 2003-04Administrative Staff Mobility Programme • In the academic year 2003-04, 16 universities have participated in the programme, compared to the 8 of last academic year. • In February 2004, 25 exchanges were approved for the period March-July by the steering group and the same number of CGU’s grants awarded for a total of 10 000 euros. • 23 candidates have already participated in this year mobility.

5. Institutions and mobility in 2003-04Administrative Staff Mobility Programme • The services they have visited are: - libraries - international offices - students’ and information services - international research offices - human resources services - computer services - admission and administration offices Some working visits took place at the same time and groups of three people were organized. For example: staff from Vigo’s and Leon’s library meet at the same time staff at Karlstad University.

6. Institutions Participation in 2004-05Administrative Staff Mobility Programme • The programme is open to all universities within the Compostela Group of Universities. • Each institution wishing to participate in this programme in the academic year 2004-05 will send the following documents to the Compostela Secretariat before the 15th of November: - Letter of endorsement • Offer form (indicating service/department and benefits provided: accommodation and others).

7. Candidates Participation in 2004-05Administrative Staff Mobility Programme • Each applicant at each university interested in participating in a working visit, and having considered all the offers through the CGU’s web page, should fill in the application form and submit it to its own Institution. Each institution participating in the programme will send before the end of January a maximum of two applications to the CGU Secretariat. • A coordinator at each institution will be responsible, among other aspects, for advertising and collecting applications.

8. CGU’s Grants and Candidates selectionAdministrative Staff Mobility Programme • At the beginning of February, the steering group (Universidade de Vigo, Masaryk University, University of Oulu, Universidade Portucalense and the CGU Executive Secretary) will meet to consider applications and match exchanges and offers. It will award the CGU’s grants according to candidates’ needs (mainly flight tickets).The steering group will inform the Compostela Secretariat who willl communicate both home and host institutions of its decision.Each participant and institution will fill in an evaluation form at the end of each visit and will submit it to the Compostela Group Secretariat.

9. Financial SupportAdministrative Staff Mobility Programme • CGU’s support: The Compostela Group of Universities will support the programme during 2004-05 with an estimate amount of 20 000 euros (100 % increase in relation to 2003-04: 10 000 euros). • Universities support: Accommodation. During 2003-04, some universities have also offered meals and local transport.

10. Some reports: Candidates opinionAdministrative Staff Mobility Programme • “Such a programme provides its participants with greater motivation for work and it gives them the feeling that they are a part of a bigger team. It is much easier to work with people we have met personally. It provides participants with a closer look at work at a different university and therefore with a possibility to enchance work at one’s own university. (International Officer from Poznan). • “ My visit was at the same time as that of another Spanish librarian. This was a good idea as it allowed me to learn not only from the host university but also from my Spanish colleague” . (Librarian from Leon)

11. Some reports: University ReportsAdministrative Staff Mobility Programme • Positve aspects outlined: • “Possibility of comparing similar services at different universities. High quality training • Exchange of ready solutions to the problems services are facing. • Exchange of cultures and experiences. • Making new acquaintances. • Gaining an incentive to introduce the changes after coming back. • Broadening horizons. • Promotes international cooperation and helps all the institution to be more internationally aware”.