PRIME

PRIME stands for Problems in Recognition In Making Erasmus and it is an international ESN project that ESN Sweden fully supports. In PRIME 2009 two Swedish universities were involved in the project and in PRIME 2010/2011 there will hopefully be at least a majority of the ESN sections in Sweden participating.

Definition of PRIME

International exchanges- studies for the purpose of acquiring new skills- are one of the fundamental ways for students to complement their academic knowledge, improve social and intercultural competences and strengthen their employability and personal development. Therefore it is sad that exchange programs such as the Erasmus Programme has faced various barriers and obstacles, a continuous problem is recognition. Erasmus Student Network believes a clear identification of the main problems from students’ and universities’ perspective and a provision of systematic information could be the first step to solving recognition challenges,

The Erasmus Student Charter states Erasmus students’ right of an obligatory learning agreement prior to departure and full recognition of their study courses abroad by their home higher education institution upon return. In the same time the 2006 and 2007 editions of the annual survey of the ESN reveal that slightly more than half of all Erasmus students receive full recognition of their courses taken abroad. This is supported by Trend V report of the European University Association (EUA) stating that 47% of higher education institutions in Europe admit that some their students have problems with the recognition of their credits gained abroad.

The situation requires more attention and more effective solutions. For this reason ESN with the financial support of the European Commission conducted in-depth qualitative research to point out the true causes of the above mentioned obstacles and to provide suggestions for improvements.

For questions, more information or to participate in PRIME Project please contact Karin Persdotter, the National Representative of Sweden; nr@esnsweden.org