AEC
The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław is a member of Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen, bringing together more than 300 music tertiary institutions. The Academy plays an active role in AEC activities involving both the content of the educational process and its organisation. As a partner in EU programmes, the Association stimulates and manages efforts for the advancement of the higher music education system in Europe.
See also: www.aec-music.eu
MESSAGE FROM AEC PRESIDENT EIRIK BIRKELAND IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Dear AEC members,
Corona epidemic has a tight grip on Europe and there is no end in sight so far. Our thoughts are first with those who are particularly affected, with those who have lost relatives or friends and with those who are infected by the virus. COVID-19 is not only an immediate threat to our health and physical well-being, but also to our economy and to our societies as a whole. Many of the countless small entrepreneurs who are the first to be threatened in their economic existence are artists, musicians and creative people. Almost all of our member institutions had to significantly limit or even shut down their operations. The AEC has been forced to postpone or cancel the events that were scheduled in the coming months. This has been a big disappointment for many, but in the interest of the safety of our members, partners and event participants, we had no other choice.
For the AEC, it remains top priority to support its member institutions - students and teachers, as well as administrative and senior management staff - which might for now first and foremost mean to support them in dealing with the current challenges. Above all, the AEC can provide an excellent and powerful network, which allows its members to jointly work on solutions and to share good practices with each other.
Let's have a look how AEC can support its members and what has already been done so far.
The AEC Office team has been working online since 17 March, but can still be reached by email and continues to maintain all online offers (platforms, newsletters, social media) as usual;
The AEC is gathering examples and tips for online solutions in the areas of communication, learning, teaching, webinars, ensemble playing, exams etc. and makes these accessible to its members as a living document;
The AEC continues to advocate for the interests of its members at EU level and is - together with partner organisations - in close touch with political decision-makers in order to support measures that help limiting the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the cultural sector;
As part of the SMS project, AEC investigates the particular and unique role of art and culture in times of social crisis.
Let me express my gratitude and respect to the AEC team for ensuring that operations keep going smoothly in these difficult times. We want to reassure you that we will continue to do our best at AEC to help you meet these challenges together.
I wish you health, strength and good luck.
Stay healthy and stay in touch.
Eirik Birkeland
AEC President
https://www.aec-music.eu/about-aec/news/message-from-aec-president-eirik-birkeland-in-response-to-the-covid-19-pandemic
CALL FOR FLEXIBILITY - THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' SITUATION
Dear AEC members,
In this time of crisis, higher music education institutions all over the world are facing unprecedented challenges.
Students in particular are and feel vulnerable in this climate of uncertainty: it is our duty to support them and prevent their futures from being compromised because of a combination of the current restrictions and complex national and institutional procedures for the application to studies and exchange periods.
It is one of the AEC's primary objectives to promote international cooperation and mobility in the higher music education sector. The Association has been a driving force to support both credit (short exchanges supported by the ERASMUS+ programme or other support programmes) and diploma mobility (students moving from one study cycle to another as part of the 3-cycle structures that has been introduced in Europe over the past decades) in Europe and beyond. We share with you the great concern that because of the current situation, international student mobility is seriously being challenged, not only because of travel restrictions, but also because of existing application regulations, procedures and deadlines that in normal times would not be put into question.
Therefore, the AEC encourages its member institutions to apply, while taking into account national legislation, a high degree of flexibility when it comes to deadlines for submitting requirements for both diploma and credit mobility. International students now applying as regular students to the first year of Bachelor, Master and Third Cycle studies or as exchange students (in particular those applying to a higher study cycle) should be allowed sufficient time to acquire the necessary credits or to conclude their former study cycle. As final exams of the academic year 2019-2020 might be delayed due to the current closure of institutions, we urgently ask all AEC member institutions to consider using flexible deadlines for submitting previous education diplomas and documentation.
The AEC is keen to stress that careful communication to (prospective) students and flexible application of the rules is essential in this moment of crisis that is challenging the basic values of international cooperation and European solidarity.
Finally , we would like to draw your attention to the following resources:
- Get inspired by the open letter of the European Association of International Education to the European Commission;
- Find useful resources to participants and beneficiaries of Erasmus+ grants;
- Be up to date on the ongoing dialogue between the European Parliament and the Commission on how to handle Erasmsus+ activities during the pandemic;
The AEC wishes you all the best in this challenging times.
https://www.aec-music.eu/about-aec/news/call-for-flexibility---the-international-students-situation
