We do rely on Erasmus+ programs to increase the current internationalization of our institution. Nowadays, we have different exchange programs for incoming students form Thailand and Latin American countries (incoming students), and bilateral exchange programs with USA and France (incoming and outgoing). However, due to the singularity of our students, which are young military officers in formation, mainly due to work under international environments (international military cooperation operations), there is a crescent need to increase mobility among countries, specially within the EU. Due to this need, the EMILYO project is born (European Initiative for the Exchange of Young Officers), aiming to establish and reinforce strong bonds between the military forces of the EU member states, following the inspiration and the basic principles of the Erasmus Charter. Therefore, multiple mobility opportunities will appear on a short-term basis, where multiple students (incoming and outgoing) can benefit this actions, as well as the Centre staff, at all levels: either teaching, researching or administrative staff.
Therefore, the expected impact in the modernization and internationalization of our Centre, both for students and staff, should result in:
1. An increased level of success of graduates, researchers and lecturers: the employability of incoming and outgoing students is ensured by their particular position among the different EU Naval Forces. However, the possibility offered to graduates to pursue their career outside the Armed Forces requires a quality and up-to-date education, for which, lecturers are encouraged to carry out a process of continuous training, updating of knowledge and adaptation to new students. For this, stays within the Erasmus+ program will be an element of great help, being able the professors to visit leading companies of the different sectors (mobility to companies) and acquiring new teaching techniques in their stays for teaching.
2. An improvement of the quality and relevance of higher education. The previous comment can be extended to this one.
3. To encourage mobility and cross-border cooperation. Actions carried out under Erasmus+ program will be recognized by the centre and the institutions involved through the corresponding official certificates, assuming an international experience for the beneficiaries that will result in the establishment (or reinforcement) of links between the different Institutions.
4. Reinforce the “knowledge triangle” that relates education, research and innovation. For this point, innovation and research apply to education from two perspectives. On the one hand, by broadening (modernizing) the general knowledge about the subject taught (see point 1). On the other hand, researching and innovating in the teaching methods themselves. These two aspects will be pursued in the mobility and must be justified in the requests and reports of the activity.
5. Improve governance and funding. Collaborations between institutions are expected to allow the creation of consortia to seek funding in public and private organizations to cover part of the costs of research as well as implementation of new teaching methods.
