Capacity Building in Higher Education
MAGNET
Managerial and Governance Enhancement through Teaching
Webpage of the project: https://magnet-project.eu/
Objectives
University Pedagogy, mostly enhanced through the operation of Centres for Teaching and Learning (CTL), is a main pillar for the implementation of the European Higher Education Area. MAGNET project aims to develop a network for University Pedagogy in the West Balkans and beyond, through know-how transfer from countries that have CTLs under operation to all partner countries. Main objectives include the know-how transfer, the foundation of CTLs, the production of educational material and the creation of a sustainable network titled BalkanNetUP (Balkan Network for University Pedagogy).
Activities
Research for the State-of-the-Art, Wants and Needs Analysis of the academic staff of all participating Higher Education Institutes (HEI), a study that will bring out their teaching needs.
Actions to be taken at an institutional and national level leading to the establishment of CTLs in each participating HEI.
The core activity of the MAGNET Project will be the launching of BalkaNetUP for all participating HEI, bringing together academic communities from the West Balkan area and beyond.
For the smooth operation and sustainability of BalkaNetUP a supportive e-platoform will be designed and operationalized. This platform will be used for communication and sharing of all deliverables of MAGNET project.
Development of training courses based on the Needs & Wants Analysis and an intensive literature review. Training will have the form of pilot, field-focused, modules/courses with assigned ECTS that will be launched face-to-face or via eLearning methods.
Other activities will engage partners in webinars, face-to-face meetings and conferences scheduled in the form of workshops for all partners.
Expected results
The support for the implementation of modern, innovative, transformative, student-centred instructional strategies in HEI in the West Balkans (Competency-Based Higher Education).
The formation of the BalkaNetUP via the integration of knowledge, good practices, shared experience for the academic educational processes.
The establishment of CTLs in participating HEIs.
The launching of an e-Net to support BalkaNetUP .
The upgrading of teaching and learning methods that lead to better students’ learning outcomes, skills and competences.
Partners
Тhe Second General Meeting of the Erasmus+ Project in Mitrovica
31st May – 1st June 2024
The Second General Meeting of the Erasmus+ MAGNET project was held from May 31 to June1, 2024 at the Public International Businesss College Mitrovica (IBC-M).
The meeting included progress reports of each partner regarding establishment of CTL centers, dissemination activities and the implementation of MOOCs. A plan on promoting the BalkanNetUp were also presented, as well as further steps within the work packages.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Ivana Drobni, PhD, who presented project’s results of UAB, especially the MOOC entitled Development of critical thinking and criteria by boosting the skills of decoding media messages among pedagogues, created by Prof. Marija Karan, PhD, and activities of the CTL – event MEDIA Learning Lab #6: Protection of creative work and online lecture Developing pedagogical competences in artistic fields of university education – experiences in music pedagogy. Prof. Ivana Drobni also informed the partners that UAB activated the BalkanNetUp network account.
THE FIRST MOOC OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARTS IS ON AIR
In the framework of Erasmus+ project MAGNET (Managerial and Governance Enhancement through Teaching), the University of Arts in Belgrade developed its first Massive Open Online Course – MOOC. Dr. Marija Karan, assistant professor of the Faculty of Music, created and implemented the MOOC entitled Strengthening of critical thinking and criteria by boosting the skills of decoding mass media messages among pedagogues. The course is intended for pedagogues and research students who want to improve their skills in decoding mass media messages, develop mass media and digital literacy, learn about the postulates and effects of mass media and audience theory as key factors in the formation of critical thinking and criteria for pedagogues. The course consists of videos, presentations and questions, and encompasses four thematic units: 1) Introduction and overview of the course, 2) Radio, 3) Television and 4) Internet.
The MOOC is available on MAGNET-MOOCs plaform:
https://magnet-moocs.mbg.duth.gr/courses/course-v1:uab+DCT101+2024_T1/about
We are happy to share news on the MAGNET project!
Read the newest issue of Newsletter: NEWSLETTER NO.2
Check out the recent news of the MAGNET project!
Read the first issue of Newsletter: NEWSLETTER NO.1
The First General Meeting of the Erasmus+ MAGNET Project in Tirana
31st August – 2nd September 2023
The First General Meeting of the Erasmus+ MAGNET project (Managerial and Governance Empowerment through Teaching and Learning) was held from August 31 to September 2, 2023 at the LOGOS University College in Tirana, Albania.
The two-day meeting included presentation and approval of the Master Plan for the Needs & Wants of Higher Education in the Western Balkans, presentation of the MOOCs structure and framework, progress report on project’s work packages, as well as progress reports of each partner.
Representatives of the University of Arts in Belgrade (UAB) – Prof. Gordana Karan, PhD, full-time professor and Andjela Russo, project officer – presented UAB activities regarding the project objectives, paying special attention to the establishment of Center for Teaching and Learning – CTL.
The project consortium encompasses 12 partners from 8 countries of the Western Balkans, including Democritus University of Trace as a coordinator.
The Kick-off Meeting of the MAGNET Project Team in Alexandroupolis
16th and 17th February 2023
The MAGNET project team had its first physical meeting on 16 and 17 February in Alexandroupolis organised by the coordinator of the project (DUTH).
During the meeting, the partners had the opportunity to get to know each other better and additionally solidify the foundation for the successful implementation of the project.
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the overall project overview with the division of the partners’ roles, as well as the Erasmus+ programme rules that the partners need to keep in mind during the implementation. The day was wrapped up with the presentation of the management and collaboration tools that will be used in MAGNET.
The second day focused on specific work packages and expected outcomes and results.
The day opened up with the presentation of CTLs, their structure and purpose as well as the specific actions that need to be taken. Best practices were presented to partners focusing on activities of a CTL such as lectures, workshops and seminars. The meeting then covered the topic of MOOCs and the BalkanetUP with an outline of required further steps.
In the afternoon, LOGOS shared the presentation about the Quality Action Plan, followed by UPAT who presented the Needs Analysis work package.
A detailed presentation about the Project Plan with a focus on the analysis & master plan to address the needs and wants of higher education in the Western Balkans, followed by the key point on dissemination, financial and administrative issues to keep in mind.
On Saturday, partners had the opportunity to choose whether to take part in the One-Day Conference titled: “Learning Cycles of University Pedagogy” organised by the DUTH CTL. This was a fantastic opportunity for the project team to see a best practice and get inspired and motivated to developing own CTLs. The next meeting will take place in Tirana, Albania in September 2023.
