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Development of the Academic Guide to EMRA
The profile of the new Masters programme is currently being developed regarding the curriculum, pedagogical approach, delivery methods, accreditation and certification, length and structure, as well as requirements from applicants and regulations, leading to the compilation of the Academic Guide to EMRA.
The Academic Guide sets out in detail the aims and objectives of EMRA, regarding expected educational achievements and professional skills and competences, introducing and outlining the profession of Rural Animator.
The strong European dimension and intercultural value of EMRA is being stressed, and the joint delivery of credits by the 8 cooperating universities explained. The structure of EMRA as a two year Masters (a p requiring 120 ECTS) delivered mostly by e-learning, including seminars, a thesis and practical work by placement in local development settings, is being worked out in detail. All the partners work jointly for this purpose to make sure that the terms and conditions of all participating universities in the credit awards are met, and that the role of each university in transferring credits is clear.
An advanced draft of the Guide has been discussed with the wider academic community of the EU ion the International Workshop organised in Warsaw in November 2010, Poland, where partners and invited outside experts discussed the academic and professional profile of EMRA. The results of the workshop have helped to revise and finalise the Academic Guide. A draft version of the Academic Guide can be downloaded here.
Curriculum development
A thorough review of existing post-graduate courses offered by European universities, relating to issues of sustainable development, and an analysis of their curricula has been conducted. The review identified systematically the subjects taught by national and international programmes of related themes and build a documentation basis that informed the development of the EMRA curriculum. For more information on the results visit this page.
The aim of the EMRA curriculum is to equip the Rural Animator with a basic knowledge of the factors affecting rural development and a more specialist understanding of the different aspects of development that he/she will be called to handle and encourage. The curriculum accommodates the above needs through a core course and eight specialist modules.
The core course includes an introduction to the integrated and inter-disciplinary approach to rural development, European rural policy and a description of the role of Rural Animator. The specialist modules tackle such themes as:
- Sustainable agriculture
- Social and Human capital, welfare
- Environmental planning and management
- Cultural development
- Sustainable rural tourism
- Innovation and development policies in rural areas
- Education and lifelong learning for rural development
- Diversification of rural economies
The core course and modules utilize the learning materials developed by Euracademy Association in its 8 Thematic Guides as well as additional materials developed by the participating universities. A draft version of the Curriculum can be downloaded here.
Development of learning materials and the e-learning platform
The learning materials for EMRA will be created from two sources:
An electronic library will be mounted, including all learning materials in English.
A dedicated e-learning platform has been created and is available here.
The delivery of e-learning will follow a pedagogic methodology agreed with the project partners, and in principle will be based on the individualized “learning pathway” approach, developed by the EURO-VALIDATION project.
Definition of the certification and accreditation procedures
The necessary procedures are being established for certifying the proposed Masters programme of studies, awarding a recognised qualification, and coordinating the accreditation procedures among the participating educational institutions so that the credits awarded are mutually recognised and the qualification offered at the end of the Masters programme are validated.
The degree will be granted by the project leader, N. Copernicus University, which will also take on the responsibility for securing the accreditation of the core course and the specialist module under its responsibility. Credits for the other modules will be transferred to N. Copernicus from the universities in charge of each module, on the basis of the Erasmus Credits Transfer system. All universities will co-sign the degree.
The allocation of credits to modules among the participating universities is as follows:
- Core course, N. Copernicus University, PL, www.umk.pl
- Sustainable agriculture, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute- MAICH GR, www.maich.gr
- Social and Human capital, welfare, University BABES-BOLYAI, Cluj RO, www.ubbcluj.ro
- Environmental planning and management, University of Rostock DE, http://www.auf.uni-rostock.de/
- Cultural development, University of Valencia ES, www.uv.es
- Sustainable rural tourism, Szechenyi Istvan University, HU, www.uni.sze.hu
- Innovation and development policies in rural areas, University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute FI, www.helsinki.fi/ruralia
- Education and lifelong learning for rural development, University of Porto, PT, www.up.pt
- Diversification of rural economies, N. Copernicus University, PL, www.umk.pl
An Accreditation and Certification Guide is being developed, outlining the transfer of credits and the certification procedures adopted by EMRA. The Guide is expected to state the terms and conditions for the accreditation of the Modules and the core course and for the certification of the Masters degree by N. Copernicus University. The Guide will deal with each Module separately, will outline the accreditation requirements of the university concerned and will discuss harmonisation of requirements and methods of award.
Action plan for launching EMRA
An action plan is being developed to prepare the way for the implementation of the results of the project, i.e. for the launching of the new Masters programme. The action plan includes preparatory research on the implementation logistics and marketing of the new academic course; a specific plan setting out in detail the course of action that is necessary to start successfully the Masters programme; and a business plan assessing the economic feasibility of the new programme. The Action Plan is dealing with the following aspects:
- marketing of EMRA: means, methods, outreach, target groups;
- recruitment of students: information points, publicity, procedures for submitting an application, staff requirements;
- running the Masters: teaching and tutorial resources per core course and modules, face-to-face seminar(s), thesis, practical work placement, technical and administrative support; infrastructure requirements; communication with students; management of learning materials;
- accreditation and certification procedures;
- costs and income for the five initial years.
Additional topics to covered include the coordination of all participating universities once the Masters is launched; liaison to local/regional authorities, LEADER LAGs and other rural development institutions to secure the placement of students for their practical work; liaison to social partners and public employers in rural areas to promote the profession of Rural Animator and enhance the employment prospects of the EMRA graduates.
Dissemination and publicity
Dissemination activities include:
- The EMRA website
- The EMRA brochure in all partners’ languages
- An international conference to launch and market EMRA in the summer 2012
- The Academic Guide to EMRA, in English
- Promoting EMRA during Open Gate Days of the participating universities
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The project 
