ERASMUS is the higher education Action of SOCRATES II programme. It seeks to enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of higher education by encouraging transnational cooperation between universities, boosting European mobility and improving the transparency and full academic recognition of studies and qualifications throughout the Union.

ERASMUS consists of many different activities; student and teacher exchanges, joint development of study programmes (Curriculum Development), international intensive programmes, thematic networks between departments and faculties across Europe, language courses (EILC), European credit transfer system (ECTS).

ERASMUS action is targeted at higher education institutions and their students and staff in all 25 Member States of the European Union, the three countries of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), the three candidate countries (Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey).

Currently 2199 higher education institutions in 31 countries are participating in ERASMUS. Since the creation of ERASMUS in 1987, 1.2 million students have benefited of an ERASMUS study period abroad. The ERASMUS budget for the year 2004 is more than € 187.5 million.

ERASMUS is open to all types of higher education institutions (for which the term "universities" is generally used), all academic disciplines and all levels of higher education study up to and including the doctorate.

In order to be able to participate in Erasmus activities, a university has to fulfil two conditions. Firstly, it has to be recognized by the national authorities as eligible for ERASMUS activities. Secondly, it has to have obtained an ERASMUS University Charter from the European Commission. The Charter is a certificate, signed by the European Commission, which sets out the fundamental principles underlying all ERASMUS activities to be respected by the university. Once a university has obtained the Charter, it is entitled to apply to the Commission for centralised ERASMUS funds and to their National Agency for decentralised mobility funds. ERASMUS University Charter has replaced the old “Institutional Contracts” since the academic year 2003/2004.

Higher education plays a crucial role in producing high quality human resources, disseminating scientific discovery and advanced knowledge through teaching, adapting to the constantly emerging needs for new competences and qualifications, and educating future generations of citizens in a European context. All such functions are of vital importance to the long-term development of Europe.

The increasing speed at which existing knowledge becomes obsolete, and the rapid changes in the means by which it is delivered and renewed, will require the higher education sector to adopt new methods and commit itself wholeheartedly to the provision of lifelong learning.

Inspired by a mobility tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, the Erasmus action and its different activities henceforth fit into the mobility policy promoted by the Bologna Process , which aims at the creation of a European Higher Education Area by 2010.

For Further Information About Erasmus:
http://europa.eu.i
nt/comm/education/index_en.html

ERASMUS Student Exchange List for the second semester of 2005-2006 Academic Year.

Erasmus is The European Community programme in the field of higher education