National Agencies on Exchange: a Visit from Poland

In order to provide its employees with an insight into other national agencies’ programmes and processes, the Polish Agency for Academic Exchange NAWA has decided to organise study trips to various countries throughout Europe. Among the possible destinations: Finland, Austria, Germany, Iceland – and Switzerland. The programme for the four-day study visit to Switzerland included visits at the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), swissuniversities, the SERI, and of course at the Swiss National Agency Movetia.

Focus on individual mobility and cooperation programmes
The exchange focused mainly on the two agencies’ tasks and competences, and on their offer in the area of student and staff mobility, as well as in the area of international cooperation. PhD mobility, programmes for students at risk and the boosting of mobility after the pandemic were eagerly discussed. The discussions also addressed more technical aspects, such as the processes and IT-solutions for allocating and optimising the funds available for mobility and cooperation programmes. 

An opportunity for mutual learning
The visit was also an opportunity to compare business and work cultures, and generally to discover how another national agency works. In the field of promotion, the scope of Movetia's efforts to promote mobility (including the national communication campaign) was met with great interest, while NAWA provided inspiration with the dynamic promotional videos produced by some of the Polish higher education institutions. From programme management to communication, best practices were thus exchanged in a wide range of areas. Movetia promotes exchanges and tries out exchange, and we are convinced: mobility and exchange are also enriching for the national agencies themselves, be it on a professional, an intercultural or on a personal level!