14 December 2006

LJMU has received the E-Quality Award for accomplishment in the Socrates Erasmus Programme.

Socrates Erasmus is a European funded programme designed to promote student and staff mobility throughout Europe. This is achieved by paying grants to students and staff to undertake placements at our partner institutions throughout Europe. The Programme is open to all staff and students (including postgraduates). LJMU has over 80 partners throughout 16 different European countries.

The E-Quality Award Label has been running for 3 years. LJMU are the 13th institution to receive it, and the only recipient this year. The award is a European recognised 'kite mark' of best practice and innovation when it comes to the Socrates Erasmus Programme. It recognises a joined up approach to the Socrates Erasmus Programme in areas such as institutional support, monitoring, promotion etc.

The award was presented on 6 December by Bill Rammell, the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Further and Higher Education. Michael Harley, Development Funding Administrator & Socrates-Erasmus Co-ordinator, received the award on behalf of LJMU

Michael commented: "We have found that our involvement with the Erasmus programme allows us to engage directly with some of the core values of LJMU as expressed in our strategic plan. Examples of this are providing high quality teaching and learning opportunities for staff and students, and enhancing the culture of the University through our European partners. On a personal level there is a sense of accomplishment to be gained from providing support for students that return from their study periods much more confident and mature."

For more information on Socrates Erasmus please contact Michael Harley at m.p.harley@ljmu.ac.uk