The NICE Network Quality Charter
The Nice Network makes a valuable contribution to the sector of HE in which it is embedded and provides genuine value for its stakeholders (member institutions, students, staff, sponsors, communities inter alia).
All Nice Network members will embrace the challenges posed by an enlarged European Union and actively pursue suitable initiatives to strengthen the links that have been forged in the past. Moreover, they will increase the level and quality of internationalization in the network and share their educational experience in line with the aims and objectives listed below.
1. General goals of the NICE network
The Higher Education Institutions co-operating within the Nice network agree on the following goals:
- to enhance the internationalization of partner institutions
- to enhance Internationalisation at home
- to facilitate student, teaching and non-teaching staff exchange
- to ensure quality of mobility
- to develop common programmes and modules
- to create dual and joint degree programmes
- to share experience (examples of good practice)
- to facilitate research cooperation
2. Underpinning values of the NICE network
The Higher Education Institutions co-operating within the Nice network agree on the following values regarding the objectives and content of their academic programmes and activities:
- that member institutions, or specific member departments (faculties) must recognise that their activities should be professionally-oriented
- that this professional orientation should include in-company placement periods whenever and wherever possible
- that employability should be a main objective of network activities
- that an interdisciplinary approach should be applied
- that the notion of intercultural understanding should be pervasive
- that the notion of internationalisation should be inherent
- that the notion of European citizenship should be encouraged, but regional cultural identities should be preserved
- that cultural diversity is seen as an opportunity to acquire necessary skills to become employable.
3. Quality criteria of the NICE network
The Higher Education Institutions co-operating within the Nice network agree on the following, non-exhaustive, list of quality criteria:
- A good quality ECTS information package on the internet.
- The possibility for sending institutions to select and refuse students according to their true language and general academic level.
- Students should be advised on their true linguistic and cultural abilities.
- A Learning Agreement/Placement Agreement should be used in order to insure credit transfer.
- The period of study/placement should be an integral part of an academic programme.
- There should be a tutor/mentor and support systems at the hosting place of study/placement.
- There should be a de-briefing session after the study/placement period in both institutions.
Validation of the NICE network Charter
The Nice network Charter will be signed by the President / Rector of the Higher Education Institution co-operating within the Nice network.