a) Erasmus Policy Statement
Erasmus+ Programme is surely a cornerstone of ISTE’s internationalization and modernization strategy, which assists ISTE to achieve its goals. One of the main purposes of ISTE is to increase international cooperation and mobilities and the number of cooperation projects, which will enable us to work together across borders with other stakeholders in order to achieve common objectives in the field of education and training researchers. As such, participation in KA1, KA2 and KA3 actions will undoubtedly contribute to this cause. Especially in the framework of increasing the capacity of ISTE, the following are of vital importance; i) building new partnerships and developing cooperation with other institutions, NGOs, regional authorities, and enterprises across EU and EU partner countries, ii) exchange of good practices in areas such as teaching and learning (i.e. blended learning, flipped classrooms), and iii) following recent developments in science, technology, and innovation. Participating in Erasmus actions will allow us to systematically implement educational reform in ISTE by following the European Commission’s vision of the European Education Era within a strengthened Erasmus+ Programme. Since ISTE aims to become a centre of attraction and a preferred HEI for international students, participating in Erasmus actions will contribute towards increasing the number of mobility projects and allow ISTE to send/host higher number of students by following a successful strategy and meeting the requirements demanded by the Programme. In line with adhering to the European Commission’s policy, ISTE will offer the individuals an opportunity to learn a second foreign language other than English (i.e. German, Japanese) as well as Turkish (the local language). Interaction between local and foreign students will be increased by running various projects and activities under the guidance of the Erasmus/International Office at ISTE. Students and staff are actively encouraged to participate in exchange programmes. Program and partner countries with which collaborations are generally decided by consulting the various departments within our institution and considering their priorities. The foreseen results of any participation in cooperation projects include sustainability (i.e. results continue to be used by the partnership after the project ends, the results are reusable or the partnership engages in other future activities) and balance (i.e. that the results benefit all partners) and will, therefore, lead to further development of the European Higher Education Area, in general, and the ISTE's international involvement, in particular. In line with this, ISTE is aware of its responsibility to make efforts to promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among its participants. ISTE will make use of the opportunities provided by the Programme to support sustainable means of travel and reduce the negative impact of mobility on the environment. ISTE will develop its own institutional strategies on environmentally friendly practices and connect them with the concepts of mobility and internationalization. Furthermore, ISTE will also encourage its outgoing and incoming students and staff to involve in volunteering activities and active citizenship. By participating in the Erasmus+ Programme, they will be natural ambassadors of the Programme and they will share their experiences with potential applicants or target groups with fewer opportunities. Participating in these actions will surely lead the way to implement digital mobility management in line with the technical standards of the European Student Card Initiative and ISTE will undoubtedly encourage the participation of individuals with fewer opportunities in the Programme.
b) Language Policy
Students are subjected to a language proficiency test. All participants are required to have a minimum required profiency level.
c) Recognation Policy
ISTE ensures full academic recognition and students' study period abroad replaces a comparable period of their studies. Academic records of the outgoing students are followed by the International Relations Office. "Learning Agreement" is prepared based on the course plan and approved by the Departmental Erasmus Coordinator and and then "Board Decision" is prepared on the basis of the course plan and approved by Dean of the relevant Faculty, before the student leaves. After completion of studies, academic records sent by receiving institution are delivered to the relevant academic unit. The courses are reognized via an academic board decision in accordance with the recognition documents prepared pursuant to ECTS Users' Guide (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/sites/default/files/ects-users-guide_en.pdf) beforehand. Transripts are prepared and sent to the Registrar's Office and to the International Relations Office.
ISTE ensures an academic recognation for training and teaching period of its academic staff by preparing a certificate, in which gained knowledge, skills and competences are given in detail, in accordance with the certificate of attendances/mobility agreement for training/teaching.
