SERC receive Erasmus+ funding to further connect on an international level

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is celebrating after receiving €375,000 from the Erasmus+ programme for funds to support staff and student exchanges across and outside Europe.

International Credit Mobility is a new aspect to the Erasmus+ programme which has traditionally only supported student and staff exchanges within Europe but was recently opened to any country in the world. SERC applied for funds to support staff exchanges in two key regions – Uganda and Pakistan – and was successful in both applications.

Thanks to the funding, further education students and SERC staff across 8 curriculum areas will have the opportunity to avail of a two-week work placement mobility to Malta, Italy and Spain. While higher education students will benefit from a three-month international exchange work placement, geared towards preparing them to live and contribute in an international society.

The funding will give SERC the opportunity to develop a new partnership with RISE College Pakistan and Kyambogo University Uganda. Over the next two years SERC will be sharing their expertise in the areas of active learning, technology enhanced learning and engineering. SERC Principal and Chief Executive Ken Webb said: “SERC has many years of experience of sending staff and students on mobility programmes around the world. The College has been actively seeking to broaden these connections into countries where English is not the main native language.”

SERC’s international strategy is to seek opportunities through the development of sustainable global partnerships to develop lifelong learning opportunities for staff and students to meet economic and workforce needs, through raising skills and qualifications to address the needs of the local economy. This funding will enable them to do just that.

SERC International Project Manager Elaine McKeown explains: “It is testimony to the growing reputation of SERC that we have been successful in securing these funds from the Erasmus+ scheme. The award is a further indicator of the success of the Colleges internationalisation strategy. “The funds will allow staff and students alike to gain unique experience abroad in a contemporary international world, sharing knowledge, expertise and availing of unique opportunities.”

SERC is committed to building and retaining already strong links on a global scale. Erasmus+ funding underlines this commitment by offering both students and staff a platform for self-development. Staff and students should look out for information in the future on how to get involved on the Erasmus+ programme.  

SERC provides a range of full and part-time courses designed to give students’ the edge’. To find out how SERC can help you ‘get the edge’ call 0345 600 7555.