The CEERRF at the European Erasmus+ Meetings

Promoting the development of innovative partnerships and mobility in physiotherapy

The European Erasmus+ Meetings, known as TCA (Training and Cooperation Activities), are an initiative organized by Erasmus+ to promote mobility and cooperation projects between universities and training organizations, particularly in the medical and paramedical fields. By bringing together professionals from 33 participating countries, these meetings provide an ideal platform for building collaborative networks, exchanging best practices, and exploring health-related topics aligned with European objectives.

Erasmus+

Objectives and challenges of the TCA Meetings

The TCA meetings are designed to support higher education institutions and training organizations in implementing Erasmus+ mobility projects by helping them to:

  • Develop new potential partnerships through contact seminars,
  • Train and specialize through training seminars, thematic conferences, and study visits,
  • Share and showcase the results of completed projects,
  • Exchange on innovative practices in health and education.

The CEERRF’s Participation in Lille

CEERRF’s international office recently attended the European Erasmus+ Meetings held in Lille from October 21 to 25, alongside the University of Lille and under the aegis of the Erasmus+ France Agency. This event offered a rich and diverse program, including conferences, round tables, workshops, and networking opportunities with over 87 participants from 20 different nationalities.

Opening and Closing

Nelly Fesseau, Director of the Erasmus+ France Agency, opened the event by highlighting the importance of the Erasmus+ program for cooperation and training in Europe.

Round Tables

  • The European Health Union (EU4HEALTH) : Discussions on how Erasmus+ could contribute to building this union and strengthening health training.
  • The Profile of Tomorrow’s Health Professionals : Exploring the potential contributions of the Erasmus+ program to the training of future health professionals.

Participants and speakers

Participants and speakers included experts such as:

  • Katarzyna Ptak Bufkens, Head of the Health Workforce Team at the European Commission,
  • Michèle Appelshaeuser and Stella Delaveau, President and Vice-President of the Nursing and Nursing Management Training Committee.
  • Donato Giorgi, Délégué aux affaires européennes et internationales du Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur,
  • Patricia Almeida, President of the European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education (ENPHE),
  • Régis Bordet, President of the University of Lille, representing the health commission of France Universities.

Practical Workshops, Concrete Tools for Successful Erasmus+ Projects

Participants were able to take part in several workshops focused on the success and impact of mobility :

  1. How to Ensure the Success of Each Mobility : From pre-departure preparation to post-mobility follow-up, this workshop emphasized essential intercultural and professional aspects for ensuring successful experiences.
  2. Convincing Stakeholders of the Benefits of Mobility : With strategies for presenting the benefits of international mobility for students and teachers, the workshop offered communication techniques adapted to different audiences (students, academics, professionals).
  3. From Idea to Project : This workshop aimed to provide the basics of project management, from creating strong partnerships to planning concrete actions and disseminating results.

Inspiring Presentations from European Partners

Participants also had the opportunity to attend several presentations of innovative initiatives, including:

  • University of Paris-Saclay : Jane Bregier-John presented EUGLOH, the European University Alliance for Global Health.
  • Lithuanian University of Health Sciences : Povilas Ignatavicius shared the experience of the Blended Intensive Program, aimed at enhancing patient safety in health professions.
  • Paris-Cité University : Magdalena Van Eeckhout introduced the IDEAL+ program, an advanced training in infectious diseases.
  • IFPS Vannes : Kristell Janvier presented the program for the first bilingual nursing degree (French/English) in France.

Networking and Partnership Opportunities, New Prospects for the CEERRF

The CEERRF was able to explore numerous collaboration opportunities with university and physiotherapy training partners. Through networking sessions, several cooperation avenues emerged, notably around student and teacher mobility, Blended Intensive Programs (BIP), and co-supervision of theses. These projects offer new prospects for strengthening educational and scientific exchanges at the European level, allowing students and teachers to benefit from new international experiences.

An enriching educational and professional experience

After an intense and productive week, the CEERRF emerged with an enriching experience and concrete ideas for future Erasmus+ projects. We hope that these collaborations will help enrich physiotherapy training and open new avenues for students and teachers, fostering a more connected and integrated training environment within Europe. We extend our thanks to the Erasmus+ France Agency for organizing this edition and to all participants for their contributions and experience-sharing.

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