Excellence in teaching

The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education, STINT, wishes to encourage increased exchange between Swedish and foreign higher education institutions as regards higher education and the development of new education methods.

The STINT Programme for Excellence in Teaching aims to develop individuals as well as institutions. By offering Swedish teachers international experiences based on their role as teachers rather than as researchers, the Foundation wishes to contribute to the renewal of Swedish education and the creation of new academic networks. Participating institutions are strongly encouraged to learn from and use the experiences of the returning teachers in order to generate positive spillover effects. With the scholarship programme the Foundation wishes to stress that academic teachers need international references and experiences.

While the foreign universities and colleges participating in the programme do differ in shape and size, they all offer education of very high quality. The experiences of the programme are very positive and the Swedish teachers have been viewed by their foreign hosts as highly skilled and dedicated.

The programme aims to develop individuals as well as institutions. By participating in the planning and carrying out of educational activities, the Swedish teachers may gain insights in the way the host institutions work in order to maintain high educational standards. What constitutes “good” education? What characterizes the process of recruiting staff and students? How do the institutions work with scientific outreach? What kind of career opportunities exists?

It is crucial and strongly encouraged that the teachers provide constructive feedback to their home universities after returning. The experiences achieved should be used both at departmental and institutional level.

For the fall 2012, the Foundation expects to offer at least ten scholarships. Swedish universities are all invited to nominate two candidates. Since the start of the program in 1999, over 90 Swedish teachers from a wide range of scientific disciplines have participated in the programme.

The Foundation cooperates with institutions located in Singapore, Hong Kong and the USA.

Questions regarding the programme may be answered by  Hanna Begler

See also:

Excellence in Teaching - A follow-up report 2007

 .