“Setif 2 University was very privileged to be the first Algerian Higher Education Institution to be involved in the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange project.” This is how Professor Abdellatif, Vice-Rector of Setif 2 University in Algeria reflects on their new engagement with the project Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange. 

Students of Setif 2 were given the opportunity to participate in ‘Newcomers and Nationalism 2019’, an interactive online course that explores the issues that refugees and newcomers face when integrating, as well as how European host societies deal with diversity.

“The project has opened a parallel solution to international student mobility, limited to very few students. Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange helped us integrate international and intercultural dimensions into the formal curriculum for a larger number of students”, underlined Mr Mosbah, lecturer of English Linguistics and Research Methodology at Setif 2 University. 

“The ‘Newcomers and Nationalism’ interactive course has helped students develop self-confidence. They got acquainted for the first time to a new form of learning”, continues Professor Abdellatif. Participants exchange ideas and perspectives in a video-conference room, stimulated by video lectures from expert academics and practitioners. They engage in an interactive assignment that brings the online experience to the offline reality.

“Students were triggered to acquire new competences, skills, and encouraged to exchange perspectives with peers from all over Europe and the Southern Mediterranean region. This experience enhanced their tolerance and empathy towards different cultures”, adds Mr Mosbah. 

They both agree, Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange “is an opportunity that all Algerian Universities should offer. “The project would help staff integrate innovative pedagogical practices and encourage new international partnerships”, ensures Mr Mosbah. 

So far, the majority of students at Setif 2 University have expressed their interest in getting involved in Virtual Exchange activities. “If the project is enlarged to other languages that would be a very big success”, Professor Abdellatif concludes. 

The efforts of Mr Mosbah and Professor Abdellatif have proven vital in engaging students in Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange. After their successful experience with ‘Newcomers and Nationalism’, Setif 2 is now a strong partner of Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange. Another group of enthusiastic and promising students of this University will take part in the new flagship Interactive Open Online Course ‘Cultural Encounters’ in Autumn 2019. 

Registration for this course is still opened for eligible youth until 29 September, 2019. 

Find out more.