EU Lifelong Learning Programme

The "Erasmus" and "Leonardo da Vinci" programmes

As of 2011 Switzerland has become a full member of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) of the European Union. Although Swiss institution have previously participated as "silent partner" in projects within this programme, ETH members now have full access to all instruments of the LLP, including as project coordinator.

The Lifelong Learning Programme consists of four sub-programmes, covering the various dimensions of lifelong learning. For ETH Zurich two programmes are particularly relevant: the Erasmus programme for higher education and the  Leonardo da Vinci programme for vocational education and training.

Erasmus

The objective of the Erasmus programm is to support the mobility of university students and teaching staff and to enhance collaboration between universities in Europe. The activities inlcude:

Mobility of students, faculty and staff

• Semester abroad at partner universities (1–2 semester)
• Placements abroad (traineeships/internships) in enterprises, training or research centres or other organisations (3–12 months)
  
• Teaching assignments at another European university (up to 6 weeks)
• Professional development for faculty and other staff: job shadowing, study visits, or participation in workshops and conferences in a higher education institution or a company in Europe (1–6 weeks)
  
• Intensive programmes: joint study programmes (bloc seminars or joint modules of 2–6 weeks) of universities in at least three European countries.

Preparatory visits

• Contact seminars to find partners
• Preparatory visits to plan future cooperation

Study visits

• Short-term visits (3–5 days) for specialists and decision-makers representing various groups of education and vocational education stakeholders

Further information is available of the the website of the Swiss National Agency for the Lifelong Learning Programme

Leonardo da Vinci

The programme seeks to enhance the links between the vocational education and training sector and the professional word, for example through internships abroad for young people in education or immediately following graduation.

• Traineeships in companies or educational institutions 
• Partnerships between organisations and/or companies interested in working together in the field of vocational education and training
• Innovation projects for the implementation of knowledge or the practical application of products developed in educational institutions and businesses
• Preparatory visits: Contact seminars and visits to plan future cooperations
• Short visits for teams of experts and stakeholders in a foreign institution

Further information is available on the website of the Swiss National Agency for the Lifelong Learning Programme.