Global Engagement Changemakers in VIVES UAS

Katholieke Hogeschool VIVES / Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) - Philippines / Saint Mary's University (SMU) - Philippines

2020-2023 (3 academic years)

Sustainable development is a common term these days, but what is it exactly and what is the link with internationalisation? The 'Global Engagement Changemakers' of VIVES have been testing this for VIVES over the past academic year. In this session, we are happy to take the time to explain their path by means of a number of inspiring examples and lessons learned. Central questions include 'How can we implement international competences in the curricula in a sustainable way, together with our international partners?' and 'How can we incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in our curricula in this UN 'Decade of Action'? In this UN 'Decade of Action', VIVES aims to make the SDGs central to the international activities and supports teachers to implement the SDGs in their courses. This through the 'Global Engagement Changemakers', a project for lecturers who want to commit to bringing the SDGs and/or international partners virtually into their courses and could use some extra support in doing so.

Lecturers are selected according to their project idea and coached for an academic year. They receive extra working time (= 0,05 FTE) to work on the project. The aim is to use the idea in a sustainable way in the following academic years and to share good practices with other colleagues inside and outside VIVES. The first group of 15 lecturers has already completed the process last academic year 20-21 and in the next two academic years 20 lecturers will set to work with the SDGs and virtual cooperation with partners worldwide.

In this breakout session, we will outline the process and give the floor to those involved: the students, the changemakers and the international partners. In addition, we want to actively work with the input and experiences of the public.