A Workshop on “The Bologna Process in the Sport Science HE System in Western Balkans” is organized in Tirana. Building on methodology and results from the previous surveys (2006, 2009), EUP help PC to plan the updating (Albania & Kosovo under UNSCR 1244) or new (Serbia) graduate tracking and job market survey with the large involvement of PC HEIs staff, students and stakeholders. Results are analysed with EU experts from Vienna Univ with respect to PC development plans. EU and PC Univ systems & curricula are discussed with all those involved and motivational lectures are given in each HEIs. Contacts with local PE and other Faculties and with stakeholders provide additional elements to define learning outcomes and competences, and contacts with Ministry and other authorities help speed the recognition of new curricula and qualifications. Regular consulting among WP1 Board member and Advisory Board (AB) members allow to redefine SpS curricula structure with respect to learning outcomes and competences and  to identify sectorial qualifications consistent with the socioeconomic development in the area. Seminars comparing EQFs and NQFs are organised in Niš in conjunction with an Advisory Board monitoring on WP1 progress. The results from the survey and final agreement on a common SpS curriculum shared by all WB HEIs are included in a booklet and presented in a Workshop in Prishtina, in conjunction with a Seminar on “Vocational education and training at higher qualification levels” and Coord. meeting 2. The latter addresses the start up of the Master and LLP development phase (WP2) and the review of the timetable concerning dissemination and sustainability.

Main objectives: 

• Analysis of Sport Science curricula from partner countries in the new WB socio-economic picture;
• Harmonization of WB curricula in Sport Science based on learning outcomes and competences in an EU perspectives.

Main activities:

• Analysis of Sport Science curricula in PC countries in the new Western Balkan socio-economic picture and with respect to EU curricula;
• Updating (Albania & Kosovo under UNSCR 1244) or implementation (Serbia) of graduate tracking and job market survey;
• Definition of new learning outcomes and competences within the sport science area.

Main events:

Workshop on Sport Science – Higher Education Systems in Albania, Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) and Serbia (Tirana, 4-7 May 2014)
Meeting in Pristine – Booklet on Sport Science Higher Education structure in the Balkans

A joint Master for Sport professions, leading to the initial qualification of trainer/coach (1 yr, 60 ECTS) and further specialisations in either health, sport management, or possibly social work (2 yr, 60 more ECTS) is implemented, with a common core reflecting EU standards & diverse possible specialisations,  with a strong involvement of private sector employers and social partners.

Study visits of 23 PC Fac to EUP (5-day) allow to assess existing procedures for vocationally oriented Master & LLP in EUP.  A meeting in Athens (mo.12, 3 day, 7 EUP + 18 PC) between AB and WP2 board (WP2B, 2 EUP Fac + 7 PC Fac + 1 ENSSEE + 1 PC Stakeh.) allows to discuss and agree on: duration of programs; proportion of academic vs vocational training; embedding in institutional strategies and policies; involvement of stakeholders; enrolment of students and tutoring modalities; exams and final evaluation; adoption of ECTS and quality assurance; synergies with other Tempus projects. A seminar on work placement and career orientation takes place. The WP2B outlines the core knowledge and training and embraces task forces  (3 Working Groups, WGs, 14 PC Fac + 1 stakeh./each) for the three main areas of specialisation. Proposed curricula are discussed by all consortium members through ICT networking. WP2B and WGs members work on proposals for Master & LLP curricula incorporating all parts of core knowledge and vocational training, and for designing syllabi and relevant study materials. Recommendations are finalised by the AB in a 3-day meeting in Elbasan (mo.16, 3 day, 7 EUP + 10 PC) . By mo.20, curricula and syllabi for the SPEED joint Master & LLP are completed and presented in a 3-day meeting in Novi Sad (9 EUP + 19 PC), and   approved by all partners. To disseminate outcomes, round tables and seminars are organised in each PC HEIs and other Univ. A booklet presenting the new SpS curricula is organized and printed in Serbian, Albanian, Bosnian & English, and widely distributed.

Main objectives: 

• Introduce joint, vocationally oriented Master and LLP targeting Sport Science professions based on learning outcomes and competencies to meet socio-economic development & job market;

Main activities:

• Study visits of PC Fac to EU Universities;
• Identification of VO Master knowledge and competences for different professional specializations;
• Curricula sillabi and study materials;
• Curricula accreditation.

Main events:

Seminar on EQF and NQF in Nis – AB monitoring
Visit to Athens
AB meeting in Elbasan
Visit to Novi Sad

Based on EUP experience and the Eur modernisation agenda for HE,  modern educational technologies will be used, including distance learning and study visits planned to update current knowledge and skills. The project will upgrade ICT and library facilities, English language and professional skills of university staff, implement work placements’ offices and ICT platforms for university-stakeholders networking, and upgrade labs for an efficient training of students.

After the identification of the WP3 Board (WP3B, 2 EUP, 7 PC Fac, 1 PC stakeholders) and attending of Seminar on Distance Learnig and ICT in Tirana (WP1), an updating of administrative services, teaching equipment and library is started.1. EUP give feedback on steps undertaken, support English language courses. Having UST and UP already benefitted from English courses by Tempus, intensive English courses for PC staff are organized in UB, UNI, UNS, UNIEL and UNISHK (B2 level, 15 PC staff/each HEI), while 2-day courses on Distance Learning and ICT are organized in each PC HEI (10 PC staff/each) (mo.3-mo.9).

From mo.12, 7 PC Adm staff members  visit EU Univ to gain new experience on internship, job placement and student career management. They then report to PC Faculty & Adm and stakeholders, stimulating further collaboration and upgrading Univ-stakeholders networking facilities. By mo.18, the ICT-platform for stakeholders database, students’ internship and career is introduced or implemented, and two 3-day intensive courses are organised in Belgrade and Tirana to train 7 PC Fac and 35 Adm staff from all PC HEI . New textbooks for the Master and LLP courses will be developed and printed (35 PC Fac) The purchase of new teaching tools and equipment for vocationally oriented training center is finalized by mo. 22. Specifically,  equipment for exercise testing, videoconferencing tools, informatics equipment, books.

Main objectives: 

• Teaching methodology, tools & infrastructure updated;
• ICT platform for works’ placement in SpS sectors.

Main activities:

• English courses for PC staff in UB, UNI, UNS, UNIEL, UNISHK;•    Seminars on distance learning;
• Implementation of the work placement office and ICT;
• Updating labs and libraries;
• Training for PC Fac and Adm staff on ICT platform for university-stakeholders interaction;
• New textbooks.

Main events:

Seminar on Distance learning in Tirana;
Visit of PC Adm staff to EU.
Seminar on work placement and career monitoring in Athens.

 

By yr 2, and based on ECTS recognition and permeability with existing programs,  30 students from each HEI are admitted to the joint Master and LLP for Sport professions (mo.23-mo.31). The 1 yr first year leads to the initial qualification of trainer/coach (60 ECTS, for candidates holding 180 ECTS), and the 2 yr leads to further specialisations in either health prevention & rehabilitation, sport management, or possibly social work (60 more ECTS, for candidates holding 240 ECTS).  Three Intensive modules on core knowledge for  social work-related (UP), health-related (UB) and management-related (UNISHK) sport professions (12 ECTS, 3-week each) are offered in Belgrade, Shkodra and Prishtina, gathering 20 candidates each from all WB HEI, with 4 EU & 8 WB lecturers.  The lectures are made accessible to other students through videoconferencing.  A total of 24 students are selected to participate, through Erasmus-for-all, in one of the 5 intensive postgraduate courses (15 ECTS each) offered at EUP Univ.

Yr 3 will be used to ensure the program’s acceptance, sustainability and long-term impact. A 3-day meeting in Vienna (mo.29, 7 EUP + 17 PC) defines procedures to evaluate the correspondence of curricula to expected learning outcomes and competences. A Seminar on “Quality Assurance in Higher Vocational Education” is offered by a ENSSEE member, while Coordinating Meeting 5 reviews all activities in view of the final conference and report. In agreement with local quality assurance procedures, students, teaching and administrative staff are assessed on new curricula content and methodology, individual workload, student support, resources and infrastructures.  The results are made available to an external committee, including members from ENSSEE, IUSM and NKUA, with evaluation reports after in site visits (mo. 30-34, 3 EUP). The general outcomes of QA will be presented in the Final Conference in Belgrade (mo.35, 3-day, 12 EUP + 30 PC).

Main objectives: 

• New VO Teaching courses for Master and LLP in Sport professions;
• Evaluation report of implemented Master and LLP courses.

Main activities:

• Implementation of new joint VO Master curricula and LLP;
• 3 International Joint Intensive Modules (12 ECTS – 3-week – 4 EU + 8 WB Fac)/each with video-conferencing;
• Students’ mobility to PC and EU Universities;
• Seminars on Quality Assurance in Higher Vocation Education; 
• Evaluation of new curricula;

Main events:

Intensive Modules in Belgrade, Shkodra & Pristine;
Visit to Vienna
Booklet on new curricula
Final Conference in Belgrade

The project will be closely monitored through Inter-Tempus coaching meeting by the GA and EUP and PC partners, whose institution has a special Tempus office involved in several similar projects (mo.10 and mo.29).

In particular, and in addition to regular contacts between GA, GC and PCs, the following evaluation measures will be taken:

• Establishment of a WP5 Board (WP5B) including GA, GC, other WPs leaders and 1 EUP Adm., responsible for identification of problems incurred, possible delays and corrective actions.
• Evaluation feedbacks from SPEED project participants
• Bimonthly Reports. Prepared by the PC Coord. and made available to GC.
• Six-monthly Reports. Prepared by the GC, in consultation with the GA every six months and circulated to all the partners. Open issues and problems will be underlined and recommendations made.
• Coordinating Meetings. The situation will be discussed in detail at each of the 6 Coord.  Meetings where the individual accomplishments will be reviewed, their quality assessed, and corrective interventions decided. Following comments by all partners, the Reports will be approved and consequent actions implemented.
• EU feedback on intermediate report.
• Student evaluations and accreditation of all new/modified study programmes (WP4), as well as increased recognition on an regional/international level
• involvement of social parties and other external sources will be  considered for possible independent assessment.
• External Financial Audit
• Final Report. At the time of the last EUP visit to the Balkans, in October of the 3rd year, a general evaluation will take place and a Final Report will be issued, with recommendations towards future monitoring and the regular implementation of internal and external quality assessment procedures. The Final Report will be drafted by the GA and GC and approved by all partners at the last coord. Meeting
• Advisory Board meetings;
  
  

The dissemination of the project's goals and frame of reference will start in the early stages and continue during the lifespan of the project and even after its end. It entails the following main actions:

• involving the target users of this project: graduates, Faculty staff, operators in the physical education, sport sector, health, sport event and tourism operators. In the first year, the EUP and PC partners give seminars focusing on the goals and the main outputs of the project to Faculty staff, students and graduates, representatives of sport operator sectors. Information will be posted on the university website, with direct link to the Tempus project web site, implemented by mo.2, and in the ENSSEE web site. A leaflet describing the SPEED project in Albanian & Serbian will be distributed or sent out to hundreds of graduates and operators, including PE association, Sport Federations, sport or health clubs, hotels and resorts, and related organisations. This will be accompanied by a motivational letter before approaching them for the interview (WP1).
• reports and booklets in English, Albanian ,Serbian and Bosnian (SPEED curricula) are produced after Workshops and Conferences (mo.1, mo.10, mo.20) and disseminated in academic contexts and to operators annual meetings, also involving presentations to the media. A specific dissemination action will be undertaken on the occasion of the ENSSEE Forum in Rome (mo.22), with a Symposium on SPEED project content, methodology and outcome, and at the Final Conference (mo.35). At that time, a brochure describing the project and its goals and outcomes will be produced in Albanian, Serbian, Bosnian, English, and sent out or distributed to relevant public and private actors throughout WB.
  
  The activity will involve the WP6 Board (WP6B) for the organisation and production of the materials, with input from other PC Faculty members and guidelines from the GA and the GC and prominent Faculty members concerning the presentations.

Main activities:

• Local seminars;
• Project website and Institutional websites;
• Fliers, brochures, booklets;
• Contacts with Governamental Bodies;

Main events:

Participation to the 2015 ENSSEE Forum in Rome

In term of sustainability and exploitation, the long term perspectives include the accreditation and long term attractiveness of vocationally oriented Master and LLP in Sport professions, the efficient activity of university/stakeholders networking through the work’ placement facility, allowing also student career tracking,  and the wide acknowledgement of the role of sport & physical activity in the WB emerging new economy, as well as in the health policy. The introduction of vocational education & training in the 2nd level master (EQF7) and LLP in Sport professions would indeed promote partnerships between SpS faculties, social partners and other relevant stakeholders in order to ensure a better transfer of information on labour market needs,   and to provide a better match with skills and competences for sport-related new sectorial qualifications. Even though some risks exist (political tension or instability, socioeconomic problems), the HE reform is a strongly ongoing process in WB. Tempus funding is needed for the transformation process. Once this is accomplished, no special measures are needed to ensure sustainability. The training labs and other structures, services and administrative procedures implemented remain in place and be maintained through the institution's ordinary budget. A specific budget is foreseen for future equipment upgrading  and journal subscription renewals.

The following are included to enhance the exploitation of project results:

• Alumni and job market survey to identify existing or future requirements for SpS graduates;
• Students, stakeholders and target public informed about the project activities;   
• Ministries’ monitoring and support;
• Dissemination to enhance added value for institutions;
• Experienced partnerships & leadership, sharing common interest in the project, sense of ownership & motivation.
  
  

A Management Board including the Coordinator, UNIVIE, the 8 PC HEIs contact persons and the Assistan Administrator will be responsible for the SPEED project management.  
In agreement with the guidelines received by the MB and the recommendations contained in the various Reports and Reviews, UST, UNIEL, UNISHK, UP, UB, UNS, UNI, STU, as the PC HEIs, will be responsible for the local organization and for all the steps related to the implementation of the planned HEIs upgrading, the survey, the approval, implementation, dissemination, and sustainability of new curricula. The other PC partners will directly collaborate in curricula development & implementation (SIS, NOC-AL, NOC-SR) or indirectly support the process providing information and knowledge for the realization of the survey & the definition of new competences, and disseminating project activities and results (NOC-AL, NOC-SR, CCIT, KKC, ASFAS, SKONUS).
MASH, MEST, MYS, being the competent authority for the implementation of curricula reform or sport development, will verify that the proceeding and result of curricula implementation are in line with national policy on HE reform and sport.
IUSM, as Coordinator, will be responsible for the general administration of the project and all financial transactions, and, with the Ass. Adm., will closely cooperate with the GC (UNIVIE) and the PCs towards the project's monitoring and coordination towards the satisfactory realization of the planned activities, through regular contacts and 6 Coordinating Meetings.
SDU, NKUA and NSSS will participate to the various meetings and teaching sessions, comment to the Bimonthly Reports, and contribute to the EUP Reviews and Final Report. Beside NSSS, all EUP HEIs will also host PC Fac, adm. & students during the training visit.
ENSSEE will collaborate in the curricula development process and dissemination.

Main activities:

• Inter-coaching; External financial audit; Independent audit;
• Coordinating meetings 1-6;
• Bi-monthly and six-monthly reports;
• Consortium networking platform;