Development of the Academic Guide to EMRA
The profile of the new Masters programme has been shaped by
the curriculum, pedagogical approach, delivery methods, accreditation and
certification, length and structure, as well as requirements from applicants
and regulations, leading to the publication of the Academic Guide to EMRA.
The Academic Guide sets out in detail the aims and objectives of EMRA,
regarding expected educational achievements and professional skills and
competences, introducing and outlining the profession of Rural Animator.
The strong European dimension and intercultural value of EMRA is being
stressed, and the joint delivery of credits by the 7 cooperating universities
explained. The structure of EMRA as a two year Masters (awarding 120 ECTS)
delivered mostly by e-learning, including a face-to-face seminar, a thesis and
practical work by placement in rural development settings, is being worked out
in detail. All the partners work jointly for this purpose, to make sure
that the terms and conditions of all participating universities in the credit
awards are met, and that the role of each university in assuring credits is
clear.
An advanced draft of the Guide has been discussed with the wider academic
community of the EU in an International Workshop organised in Warsaw in
November 2010, Poland, where partners and invited experts discussed the
academic and professional profile of EMRA. The results of the workshophave
helped to revise and finalise the Academic Guide. The final version of
the Academic Guide can be downloaded
here.
Curriculum development
A thorough review of existing post-graduate courses offered
by European universities, relating to issues of sustainable development, and an
analysis of their curricula has been conducted. The review identified
systematically the subjects taught by national and international programmes of
related themes and build a documentation basis that informed the development of
the EMRA curriculum. For more information on the results visit
this page.
The aim of the EMRA curriculum is to equipthe Rural Animator with a basic
knowledge of the factors affecting rural development and a more specialist
understanding of the different aspects of development that he/she will be
called to handle and encourage. The curriculum accommodates the above needs
through a core course and eight specialist modules.
The core course includes an introduction to the integrated and
inter-disciplinary approach to rural development, European rural policy and a
description of the role of Rural Animator. The specialist modules tackle such
themes as:
Sustainable agriculture
Social and Human capital, welfare
Environmental planning and management
Cultural development
Sustainable rural tourism
Innovation and development policies in rural areas
Education and lifelong learning for rural development
Diversification of rural economies
The core course and modules utilize the learning materials developed by Euracademy Association in its 8 Thematic Guides as well as additional materials developed by the participating universities.The Curriculum can be downloaded here.
Development of learning materials and the e-learning platform
The learning materials for EMRA have been created from two sources:
the previous 8 Thematic Guides of Euracademy Association, and
learning material developed by the participating universities.
An electronic library has been mounted, including all
learning materials in English.
A dedicated e-learning platform has been created and is available here.
The delivery of e-learning will follow a pedagogic methodology agreed with the
project partners, and in principle will be based on the individualized
“learning pathway” approach, developed by the EURO-VALIDATION project.
Definition of the certification and accreditation procedures
The necessary procedures are being established for
certifying the proposed Masters programme of studies, awarding a recognised
qualification, and coordinating the accreditation procedures among the
participating educational institutions so that the credits awarded are
universally recognised and the qualification offered at the end of the Masters
programme is validated.
The degree will be granted by the project leader, N. Copernicus University,
which will also take on the responsibility for accrediiting the core
course and the specialist modules. The credits for the specialist modules that
are not taught by N. Copernicus University will be assured by the
participating universities in charge of the modules. All universities will
co-sign the degree.
The teaching of modules by the participating universities is as follows:
Core course, N. Copernicus University, PL, www.umk.pl
Sustainable agriculture, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute- MAICH GR, www.maich.gr
Social and Human capital, welfare, University BABES-BOLYAI, Cluj RO, www.ubbcluj.ro
Environmental planning and management, University of Rostock DE, http://www.auf.uni-rostock.de/
Cultural development, University of Valencia ES, www.uv.es
Sustainable rural tourism, Szechenyi Istvan University, HU,www.uni.sze.hu
Innovation and development policies in rural areas, Estonian University of Life Sciences,
Education and lifelong learning for rural development, N. Copernicus University,
Diversification of rural economies, N. Copernicus University, PL,www.umk.pl
An Accreditation and Certification Guide has been developed, outlining the granting of credits and the certification procedures adopted by EMRA. The Guide states the terms and conditions for the accreditation of the Modules and the core course and for the certification of the Masters degree by N. Copernicus University.
Action plan for launching EMRA
An action plan ihas been developed to prepare the way for the implementation of the results of the project, i.e. for the launching of the new Masters programme. The action plan includes preparatory research on the implementation logistics and marketing of the new academic course; a specific plan setting out in detail the course of action that is necessary to start successfully the Masters programme; and a business plan assessing the economic feasibility of the new programme. The Action Plan is dealing with the following aspects:
marketing of EMRA: means, methods, outreach, target groups;
recruitment of students: information points, publicity, procedures for submitting an application, staff requirements;
running the Masters: teaching and tutorial resources per core course and modules, face-to-face seminar(s), thesis, practical work placement, technical and administrative support; infrastructure requirements; communication with students; management of learning materials;
accreditation and certification procedures;
costs and income for the five initial years.
Additional topics covered include the coordination of all participating universities once the Masters is launched; liaison to local/regional authorities, LEADER LAGs and other rural development institutions to secure the placement of students for their practical work; liaison to social partners and public employers in rural areas to promote the profession of Rural Animator and enhance the employment prospects of the EMRA graduates.
Dissemination and publicity
Dissemination activities include:
The EMRA website
The EMRA brochure in all partners’ languages
An international conference to launch and market EMRA in the summer 2012
The Academic Guide to EMRA, in English
Promoting EMRA during Open Gate Days of the participating universities
A facebook page
A LinkedIn group
A website facilitating the application and registration procedures for EMRA studies: www.emra.umk.pl