Academics from the North-West University (NWU) make sure they remain up to date on the most recent research and trends in the tertiary education sector by benefiting from the Erasmus+ mobility programme of the European Union.
This initiative is a funding scheme through which European universities can apply to the European Union for funding to arrange reciprocal visits between universities.
The NWU’s research entity Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec), together with the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, was privileged to receive such funding.
The Erasmus+ mobility programme, in collaboration with the University of Zagreb, provided four academics with an opportunity to visit Zagreb for seven days.
The aim of the visit was to gain more knowledge on teaching, training and research in the discipline of human movement science.
The academics are also given an opportunity to present guest lectures at these overseas’ universities. In exchange, foreign academic experts are funded on a visit to the NWU to avail themselves of the same opportunities here on a local level.
One of the five NWU academics who utilised this opportunity in May this year, Prof Hanlie Moss, director of PhASRec, said it was an incredible experience.
“The aim is to exchange academic expertise and facilitate training, and also to build international networks in the process. Part of the exchange programme includes learning more about the culture and customs of the country concerned. During our visit to Zagreb we attended the Zagreb National Day, which gave us a glimpse of the national pride of the Croatians.”
Prof Moss, Dr Adele Broodryk, Dr Christo Bisschoff, Prof Anita Pienaar and Prof Martinique Sparks were part of the delegation. Prof Pienaar and Prof Sparks presented lectures, while Dr Broodryk and Dr Bisschoff received training in their subject field.
In the meantime, the NWU has been informed that the 2019 applications for the exchange of another four academics to visit the University of Zagreb in Croatia soon were successful. In the same period, PhASRec will act as host to academics from Zagreb.
