INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

On 1 July 2000, the Department of International and Public Relations of MU was divided into independent bodies, i.e. the Office for International Studies and the Department of External Relations. The division was prompted mainly by the increasing workload in the original office, and by the need to clearly distinguish between academic and administrative activities. The main areas of the Office for International Studies interest include:

a) international cooperation (mediation in the student and teacher mobility, enhancing international cooperation by bilateral agreements, etc.);

b) introduction of new programmes to MU in foreign languages;

c) presentation of the university at major educational exhibitions;

d) joint activities in projects of international university networks.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Participation in international programmes

SOCRATES Programme

· ERASMUS

Academic year 1999–2000

MU's participation in the ERASMUS programme slightly increased in the academic year 1999–2000. Compared with the year 1998-99, the number of MU students and teachers travelling abroad increased by 37 % and 27 %, respectively. Also gratifying was the increase in the number of foreign students-programme participants coming to Brno (51 compared with 17 in 1998–99).

In addition to the student and teacher mobility programme, MU participated in another two ERASMUS projects, namely CDA1 and CDA2 (development of international curricula), the Intensive Programme for the Environment and the Introduction of the European Credit System (ECTS) project.

Academic year 2000–2001

This academic year will probably mark an important development in the ERASMUS programme from the number of participating MU students' point of view, when an increase of about 100% is expected. Less satisfactory, however, is the number of teachers planning a stay at universities abroad in the same period: only a minimum increase is expected as a result of restricted possibilities to draw on the funds. The number of foreign students coming to MU as part of the ERASMUS programme showed only a small increase this academic year. The main reason for the lack of interest of international students in MU courses undoubtedly lies in the insufficient range of courses offered in foreign languages. The increase in the number of such courses should be one of the main MU priorities in the coming years.

In this academic year, another two CDA projects and the IP and ECTS projects are underway.

· COMENIUS

Two COMENIUS projects are currently underway at the FE of MU.

· ARION

One project of the ARION sub-programme was approved at MU.

· LEONARDO

In the year 2000, a draft of a joint project of MU and the Academic Information Centre called "MUNI Partnership Programme" was approved by Brussels but the process took so long that the Office for International Studies had to audit the project and send it to Brussels once again. After another disproportionate delay, the Office received a contract to sign that did not include the major changes agreed upon by the Office with the Brussels administration. For that reason its inclusion in the LEONARDO II programme is more likely.

Another two LEONARDO projects in special pedagogy are underway at the FE.

* Jean Monnet

In the academic year 2000/2001, just like in 1999/2000, eight projects in international law, political science and history were approved for continuation at MU.

* CEEPUS

In the year 2000, MU cooperated in 10 approved CEEPUS projects, which marks a slight increase compared with 1999.

* MISCELLANEOUS

Another 13 international European projects are currently underway at MU.

Cooperation among twinned universities

In 2000, traditional exchanges of teachers among twinned universities (Wroclaw, Szeged, Katowice, Poznaň, Regensburg, Vienna, Greifswald) continued. The same kind of special relationships were established with Comenius University in Bratislava.

New bilateral agreements

New bilateral agreements were being negotiated during the year with several universities. At the end of the year, the bilateral agreements were signed with University of Paris XXII, Toronto University and Johann Kepler University in Linz.

Other European study stays

On the basis of special agreements, MU students received scholarships from Dresden, Greifswald, Regensburg and Utrecht universities.

Mobility projects at the level of faculties, departments and institutes

There are a number of projects designed for constituent segment of the university only (semester, short-term or year-long projects, summer schools, etc.), that provide for the

mobility of dozens of students and teachers every year. These mobility projects with Eastern and Western Europe as well as the USA, however, are not centrally administered.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMMES

One of the Office's very important tasks is the preparation and coordination of courses for international students in foreign languages (mainly in English). This year was noteworthy, among other things, for the fact that four such courses were launched.

· Central European Studies Programme (CESP)

This is a one-semester programme (repeated every semester) with lecturers from among teachers from three faculties (Faculty of Arts, School of Social Studies and Faculty of Economics and Administration) where tuition fees are charged. The courses are attended by students from the USA and, at concessionary fees, students from the former socialist block. A programme is also offered to students coming here under the SOCRATES programme. This at least partly compensates for the shortage of courses in foreign languages at MU. Last year, CESP courses were attended by 37 students.

· TESOL TE

One semester programme for teachers of English for foreigners gives the students a possibility to get "CELTA", an internationally recognized certificate for the teachers of English issued by Cambridge University. Participants include both international and Czech students (who are exempt from tuition fees). TESOL TE programmes are organized every semester, and this year 16 students attended it. MU is the only university in the region that is accredited for the programme.

· Central European Music –Summer School of Music

This month-long summer school is organized in cooperation between Ithaca College in the USA and JAMU. Besides lectures and practical exercises, the school offers various field trips (to Prague, Vienna and Strážnice) and visits to theatres and concerts.

· MU – Ohio University Global Learning Community

A special course for Czech and US students in economics. Preparatory work on joint projects is done over the Internet. The projects are finalized during a three-week stay of the US students in Brno. This is planned as a biannual project, but cooperation along the same lines may be offered to other universities as well.

In addition to these four programmes, MU also organizes a bilingual European Public Administration training programme (in French and Czech). This year we had the first graduates of this unique programme.

PRESENTATION ABROAD

Another of the Office's priorities is to raise Masaryk University profile at major international educational trade exhibitions. This year, the Office participated in two such events: in San Diego (NAFSA: Association of International Educators) and in Leipzig (EAIE – European Association for International Education).

· NAFSA – at the San Diego event in May 2000, the MU Department of International and Public Relations coordinated the stand with the assistance from the Fullbright Commission, IREX (International Research and Exchanges Board), Central European University and Warsaw School of Economics. The Rector and two of the Department's officers also presented MU in two papers given at a conference on education in Central Europe.

· EAIE – The Director of the Office chaired this workshop on the marketing of universities outside the best-known centres in the field of international education.

ACTIVITIES IN INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS

· Utrecht Network

At the annual meeting of Utrecht Network member universities, two new bilateral agreements were signed for the Erasmus programme, and information material on TESOL a CESP programmes was presented. The result was the participation of several students from member universities in the CESP programme.

MU participates in the "MAUI" exchange programme between the Utrecht Network member universities and seven Australian universities.

At the EAIE conference in Leipzig, the Utrecht Network had an information stand representing all 26 member universities.

Within the Utrecht Network, an agreement with the University in Basil was signed on an exchange of two students who are to receive Swiss government grants for the study. Several new agreements for the SOCRATES/ERASMUS programmes were also signed.

· Compostela Group of Universities

Two female students participated in a conference in Santiago de Compostela on the use of education at institutions of higher learning on the international labour market.

At the annual meeting of the Compostela Group at Santiago de Compostela, three international networks met (Grupo Compostela, European Access Network and Universities of the Atlantic Arc) to discuss topical issues in European education. Invited guests included, e.g., Marianne Hildebrandt from the European Commission, who informed the participants with new conditions and modifications in the SOCRATES II programme.

The network also launched the "Compostela Group of Universities European Volunteer Organisation" project, which may also be of a major significance for all MU students interested in an exchange of experience in international education.

The Compostela Group also launched a joint student exchange project.

The Compostela Group initiated a joint project for the SOCRATES/ERASMUS programme called "Thematic Network Proposal" in the field of modern history.

Masaryk University was one of the organizers of the second conference "Compostela prize" in Regensburg on "Bach 2000: Between Virgin Forest and Knowledge Society".

The member universities of the Compostela Group cooperate in the SOCRATES / ERASMUS programme.

· Báthory Collegium

This new network is the only network that facilitates exchanges and cooperation in this region where the EU does not offer any study stays. In the spring semester 2001, the exchange project for students from MU, Warsaw University and Vilnius University is being launched.

	Academic year 1999–2000				Academic year 2000–2001
	to abroad		to MU		to abroad		to MU
	students	teachers	students	teachers	students	teachers	students	teachers
SOCRATES	141	33	51	15–20*	304	112	202	*
Báthory Collegium	–	–	–	–	2	–	2	–
Compostela	4	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
MAUI (Australia)	–	–	–	–	–	–	1	–
exchange programmes at faculty, department, etc. levels*
	Year 2000
CEEPUS	5	9	15	15
MoEYS quotas	26	14	–	–
MoEYS competitions*
Twinned Universities	–	72	–	28

* numbers not monitored

On July 1, 2000, a definitive separation occurred between the former Office for International Relations and Public Relations into two independent bodies – Office for International Studies (OIS) and the Department of External Relations (DER). The DER includes the Public Relations and Congress Centre, which is located in the Faculty of Medicine building and serves as the off-site workplace for the rectorate.

A significant portion of the DER work includes MU promotional events, congresses, conferences, seminars, and workshops organised by, or in conjunction with, Masaryk University.

Masaryk University presentation events in Brno and conferences in 2000

January 28, 2000 – The First Masaryk University Brno Concert Ball at Besední dům.

March 7– 8, 2000 - "Masaryk and His University in the Year 2000" an international conference in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Tomáš G. Masaryk.

As a part of the conference there was a ceremonial unveiling of the new statue of Tomáš G. Masaryk in the park in front of the Faculty of Medicine.

May 17, 2000 – Dies academicus brunensis 2000 in the MU amphitheatre at the Faculty of Law.

June 20, 2000 – The ceremonial opening of the newly reconstructed Faculty of Medicine building on Komenského nám. 2. A brief press conference preceded a tour of the building.

September 7, 2000 – The fourth MU garden party and the opening of an exhibition of sculptures by Zdeňek Macháček and metal sculptures by fine art blacksmith Milan Michna. The opening of the exhibition commenced with a brief press conference.

October 2000 – The ceremonial unveiling of a bronze sculpture by academically recognised sculptor Nikos Armutidis on the grounds of the Vinařská Street university residences.

The TOP 77, where the results of the Best Moravian Wines contest were announced, had a programme of cultural events. TOP 77 was organised under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture Jan Fencl and the Rector of MU Prof. Jiří Zlatuška.

November 1, 2000 – The First Concert of the Academic Cycle at Besední dům, with a reception.

November 2 – 3, 2000 – "The University and the Bologna Declaration – A Strategy of Changes" the international conference at New City Hall in Brno. At the end of the conference, the Exhibition of Insignias and Archive Collections of Brno Institutes of Higher Education at Old City Hall in Brno was opened (November 4 – 12).

November 22, 2000 – A traditional meeting of MU management with firms involved in sponsorship and co-operation.

November 22, 2000 – The opening of an exhibition of architectural models of Bohunice university campus, with press conference.

2 – 8 December 2000 - The international ICOFOM "Annual Meeting 2000/Transition Project Workshop" at Vinařská and in the lecture hall of the Faculty of Economics and Administration. included visits to significant Brno museums and galleries.

5 December 2000 - Masaryk University Advent Concert at St. Augustine’s Church in Brno with a performance by the MU Gaudeamus Chorus.

December 6, 2000 – The Second Concert of the Academic Cycle at Besední dům, with a reception.

Information updates on events organised were published in "Current Events" column of our www pages.

Informational and promotional materials published for use at home and abroad

Masaryk University Brno Annual Report

Calendar of Important Events at Masaryk University in the year 2000

Masaryk University Brno wall calendar

Masaryk University Brno jigsaw puzzle

A collection of brochures about Masaryk University Brno

Conference materials, event invitations, posters

The organisation of MU press conferences

Masaryk University press conferences took place regularly once every three months. On the occasion of special events at MU (exhibition openings, conferences, etc.), press conferences took place in conjunction with the given event.

Documentation activities

Throughout the whole year, photographs (traditional or digital) of special events were taken, and some particularly important events were videotaped. This material will be edited and used in a documentary about Masaryk University. The material has been deposited in the university archives. Daily papers were being monitored for the use of MU management and faculty deans.

MU Congress Centre at the Faculty of Medicine

Between September and December 2000, 20 events took place at the Congress Centre, of which only 7 were provided on a commercial basis raising 20,000 CZK for MU. In the case of the rest of the events, the MU management agreed to charge no fee and to bear the operational costs incurred. The events held at the Congress Centre were usually specialised conferences, seminars, workshops, or lectures by important personalities. For the most part, the centre was used by the Faculty of Medicine, its clinics and departments.