Challenges in NOVA MSc Curricula Development

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Challenges in NOVA MSc Curricula Development

• Thomas B. Randrup

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Urban Forestry Urban GreeningStrategic
Management of Urban Green Areas

• Long term objectives To create a better
  platform for education of urban green managers.
  To create an understanding among students to
  position themselves as strategic thinking green
  managers.
• Based on an extensive network, and through the
  means of a truly international education, to
  fulfil these goals.

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History

• EU funded studies on research (1999)
• Four professors one research leader formulated
  vision of SLU / KVL Master program in UFUG (2000)
• EU funded studies on higher education (2001)
• SWOT analysis (2001) of Swedish / Danish program
• Hven seminar (2002) on Nordic Potential
• 2004 Hire of assistant analysis, marketing,
  program set up, course formulations, NOVA Network
  formally established, formal prg. approval SLU
  (Sept.)
• 2005 Homepage, Announcements, Formal approval
  KVL (April), Detailed course descriptions
• Common textbook published (Springer)
• Beginning of program (97 international
  applications)

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Program

• SLU 1 year International Master Program
• KVL Integrated part of 2-year landscape
  architecture Master Program
• 30 ECTS at each university (KVL Autumn / SLU
  Spring)
• Other NOVA universities Part of the UFUG
  Network, formal agreements made, direct
  involvement of teachers, excursion goals, future
  contribution of 30 ECTS additions to the program

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Challenges

• MobilityAustralia or Copenhagen?The objective
  is to raise the quality of our students - a means
  is to share knowledge. We believe that teaching
  methods (mowing teachers), rather than moving
  students will fulfil this challenge.
• Cross disciplinarity
• Involvement of all NOVA universities (landscape
  architecture in Finland is missing).Is this a
  goal in itself? If so, a clear identity, and
  added value to the overall program should be
  identified.

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Challenges

• Financial structure of modern universities does
  not support the NOVA funding tradition. Every
  activity is a project, and projects needs funding
• NOVA Universities do not have equal academic
  structures (e.g. 3 2)
• Internal structures semesters, quartesters,
  exams, grades etc. all differs
• Pre-acceptance of all courses, at all
  universities needed
• Formal agreement between involved universities
  needed
• Different application deadlines - three entries
  to one course!
• Formal responsibility at SLU, Project leadership
  at KVL
• Applicant selection (academic and number) is set
  solely by SLU!
• Formal admission requirements needs to be
  developed
• Applicant acceptance date does not leave enough
  time for Visa

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Recommendations

• Create knowledge of similar programs / needs
• Formulate a clear vision / career possibilities
• Create a clear academic focus
• Identify a program leader
• Identify potential students / create links to
  other universities
• Build on existing expertise / existing courses
• Acknowledge the logistic challenges
• Make it International - not Nordic translated
  into English
• Announce widely - homepage, networks, conferences
  etc.
• Secure minimum longevity
• Minimise the bureaucracyNOVA to sort out
  technicalitiesNOVA has shown great initiative,
  support and flexibility
• Believe in your idea - there will always be
  elements of uncertainty related to the unknown