I would like to provide you with some information about Businet, a network of Higher Education Institutes that may interest you.
Introducing the Organisation
Businet was established in 1987 and is 93 strong Network of Institutes of
Higher Education. It is represented in 22 countries. The initial aims of the
organisation were to enable the establishment of European programmes in
business and to promote opportunities for Institutes of Higher Education,
their staff, and their students.
As the needs of our member organisations have changed, and as the membership
profile has altered, reflecting the growth and diversity of the European
Union, then so have the activities of Businet. The organisation however
still keeps at its heart the needs of the Higher Education Institutes, the
students, the staff and industry.
What sort of Activities are undertaken across the Network
* Member organisations work together on activities such as
* Student exchange
* Staff exchange
* Joint curriculum development project
* International work placements
* Leonardo da Vinci project such as thematic networks
* Intensive programmes
* Student conferences
* Curriculum specific working groups
The network is an active one, offering differing opportunities to meet the
differing needs of the member institutes.
Student Exchange
Student mobility between member institutions is a common practice. The
relationship between members ensures that mobility activities are enhanced.
Businet assists in providing a framework for co-operation and relationships
between partner institutions.
Staff Exchange
The networking opportunities afforded by the organisation are ideal when
looking for and setting up staff mobility assignments. Having an ongoing
relationship with other organisations in the network facilitates this type
of activity.
International Work Placements
A number of member institution organise collaborate in submitting
applications for Leonardo mobility projects based on using fellow member
institutions as "facilitators" outside of their home country. Members share
examples of good practice in projects. Businet also offers certification of
the placement period with the "Certificate of International Business
Practice".
Thematic Networks
Businet are currently acting as the coordinator of a Leonardo da Vinci
thematic network project entitled Framework. The aim of the Framework
project is to provide a complete structure to ensure quality in the work
placement process. It takes an innovative to approach to a old problem, a
problem that was highlighted by a number of member institutes. The project
is the network's response to those issues raised by the members. 14 member
colleges are project members but the benefits of the project will be shared
by all members.
Further details of the project can be found at
www.frameworkproject.com.
Intensive Programmes
A number of member organisations organise intensive programmes together with
fellow Businet members. Thus providing added value to the programmes of
study on offer in their organisation and consequently giving themselves a
competitive advantage.
Student Conferences
A student conference has been held every year since 1999. The aim of this
conference is to bring students from a number of countries together to
undertake activities surrounding a theme. Conference themes have
incorporated cross cultural communication, preparation strategies for work
experience outside of the home country and employability skills. The next
conference is in Edinburgh in November. This conference is called the Unite
conference. Details of last years event can be found on the Businet web-site
www.businet.org.uk Curriculum Specific Working Groups
There are a wide range of curriculum groups working within the Businet
network. The groups reflect the needs of the curricular needs of the member
institutions. The groups include for example ICT, Marketing and
International Trade, Tourism, Administrative Management, Finance, and
Communications.
Three other cross-curricular groups were established in addition to meet the
needs of groups from within the member institutions, that is International
Relations Managers, Decision Makers Forum and Lifelong Learning.
Annual Conference
The Annual conference of Businet is where many of the network activities
take place and projects are conceived. The conference is held at the
beginning of the academic year and is central to the planning processes of
many of the member institutions.
Recent conferences have been held in Cannes, France, Estoril, Portugal,
Sinaia, Romania, Athlone, Ireland, Berlin Palma and Riga. The 2009 conference will
be held in Palma in November.. It would be a great pleasure to welcome you
there
I would be very please to expand the information provided above for any
specific issue if you wish. The Framework project, for example, will provide
a massive opportunity for those institutions that would like to get involved
with it, but not all will. That is the beauty of the network in my opinion
because it works at whatever level of activity the member institution wants
to work at.
I hope this is of interest to you
David Taylor
Businet General Manager
David Taylor
International Manager
New College Durham
Framwellgate Moor Centre
Durham
DH1 5ES
00 44 191 3754157