The challenges in training and education of hospital designers and planners

Background The designed hospital environment is one of the most complex endeavors of work and there is a growing need of specialization. Scientific, technological and research developments and innovation along with new discoveries within health promotion and prevention strategies are increasingly requiring a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to the design and management of hospitals. Therefore, it is likely that the current professions will be replaced and flanked by more specialized ones. Objectives The scope of the paper is to display an overview of the current educational courses of the emerging Hospital Planner, referring to the worldwide available training courses (BSc, MSc, specialization and PhD courses) related to healthcare design. The focus relates to the fields of Medicine and Nursing sciences, Architecture and Engineering. Results A preliminary investigation has been conducted of websites and snowballing technique. The search was limited to active training programs and courses. Currently several institutions offer BSc, MSc courses and PhD programs in Healthcare Design, Environmental and Building Hygiene and Public Health. As well, there are several professional postgraduate courses either in classroom or using hybrid programs including webinars. Clemson University, USA and Ontario College of Art and Design University, Canada, offer a full MSc degree in Architecture and Health. In addition, there are several joint degree programs such as physician-engineer, physician-architect, nurse-architect or engineer. Conclusions From the preliminary study emerged a considerable number of international experiences addressing the topic of Hospital Planner training. Further in-depth investigations will examine the topic through questionnaires and interviews of the course organization, students' experiences, outcomes and professional careers, fields of interest and collaborations with other institutions. Key messages Hospital environments are the most complex field of work and require many years of specialization and multidisciplinarity and influence the quality of patient outcomes. The academic stream of the built environment is evolving toward proving specific multidisciplinary courses and hands-on experiences to support a degree in hospital planning, design and management.

DOUBLE/JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS: THE LEGAL ASPECT

The paper analyzes the documents of the European Higher Education Area and Ukraine, which enable the development and implementation of double/joint degree programs. It has been found that the implementation of double/joint degree programs has been addressed at all ministerial conferences responsible for higher education in the European Higher Education Area. An analysis of the legal framework of Ukraine showed that there are appropriate documents at the national level that allow the development and implementation of double/joint degree programs. The following issues have been identified for the implementation of double/joint degree programs: ensuring sustainability; ensuring proper funding; curriculum development; legal issues; recruitment of students; providing support from national or international organizations/government; program accreditation; academic calendar differences; institutional support; credit transfer agreement; communication with a partner; a fee structure agreement; language issues; the extent of the duration agreement; double counting of credits; negotiation development on the double/joint degree programs development.Key words: European Higher Education Area, academic mobility, European Research Area, recognition of higher education qualifications.

Joint Educational Programs of Russia and China: Status and Problems of Implementation

The article focuses on the current state and the problems concerning implementing joint educational programs by Russia and China. The author dwells on the concept of the joint educational program, proposes a classification of joint educational programs, including joint degree programs (joint diploma), double degree programs (double diplomas), and the program of included training. The analysis of visiting Russian-Chinese and inbound Sino-Russian joint educational programs as at 2018 was carried out. The problems and obstacles of joint educational programs implementation by Russia and China are revealed, among which are: legislation problems, problems of the language of instruction, problems of the cost of education, the necessary information support. The most serious problems relate to the legislation. First of all, it is the uncertainty concerning the meaning of the term “joint educational program” in the legislation framework. The attendant problems are licensing and accreditation of joint programs, award of diplomas, asymmetry between the number of visiting and inbound programs. The author comes to a conclusion that the legislation framework in the sphere of joint educational programs should include the following items: enrolment rules for foreign students in Russian universities; mechanisms of recognition of mobility periods and credits transfer for foreign participants of joint programs, migration rules of short-term courses.

Interkulturalität im Universitätsbetrieb

The text is about the problem of implementing interculturality not only in teaching and learning but also in operating international / intercultural joint degree programs. In all sectors and on all levels in academic practice there is an astonishing lack of experience with »the other«. Even some theories on cultural differences are rather perpetuating stereotypical thinking than helping to understand each other. The main thesis of the article means that one has to take the examination about experience(s) to aim for better intercultural competences in academic practice and for bridging the gap between scientific knowledge about culture and our daily behavior while ruling intercultural study programs.

The Experience of International Students at Cross-Border University Libraries

This article describes the results of a small research study investigating international student library use and perceptions in a cross-border setting. The graduate degree program at the center of this study is a binational joint degree M.A. program in Canadian-American studies that takes place simultaneously at Brock University in Canada and at the State University of New York at Buffalo in the United States. The students’ library use was explored as were their perceptions of the two different university library systems. Results indicate that students in such joint degree programs do make use of cross-border university libraries and that they see benefits in doing so. This suggests that these library settings offer librarians a unique but viable way of working with international students, and that cross-border university libraries are worthy of both mention and further study in librarianship.

Quality Considerations in the Internationalization of Higher Education: the International Students’ Experiences Within Joint Degree Studies

The paper discusses the considerations on qualitative indicators regarding the quality of the teaching and learning in joint degree studies. Method used for data collection was focus group discussions with students of joint degree programs implemented by seven European universities. Findings revealed that general dimensions on the quality of internationalization are focused on students and academic staff. Following the examination of student experience within joint degree studies in Lithuania, the key challenges faced by joint degree consortiums are highlighted.