Page 71 - A Handbook for Academia, Industry and Policymakers: Reinforcing the Innovation-Employability Nexus in the Mediterranean

70 REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN 71

programmes in the Southern Mediterranean region is the UfM labelled project, High Opportunity in
the Mediterranean for the Recruitment of Executives of Excellence (HOMERe). Details about HOMERe
can be found at the end of Chapter 7: Internships.

Business

In 2019, there were close to 700’000 students from the Mediterranean region studying abroad, nearly
half of which were from Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries . Students who participate
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in international mobility are considered to be more and better prepared to enter the global world.
Professional prospects and employability in their country of origin and target country are improved in
many ways including64:

• 23% less unemployment
• More than double the chance for promotion
• 44% greater chance of securing a managerial position
• Greater entrepreneurship: 1 in 10 students set up their own company and 4 out of 10 consider it
• 70% more of the skills demanded by companies

Policy

Policymakers are also interested in international students because they can become highly skilled
contributors to a nation’s international economy in the future. In recent years, the European
Commission has invested considerable resources in establishing discourse on higher education policy
with countries and regions outside of the EU. As part of the framework of a strengthened European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) from the 2011 Communication and of the 2016 ENP review, the European
Commission is committed to increasing the support for teaching and learning mobility for students,
teachers, university staff and young people from Southern Mediterranean countries.

Policy dialogue should pave the way for increased cooperation and mobility between the EU and
partner countries or regions. Country and regional reports show how the Erasmus+ programme is
funding mobility and cooperation between Europe and other parts of the world.

— former European Commissioner for Education, Androulla Vassiliou

Intercultural awareness and understanding gained
through mobility can be a major asset for students in
their search for employment.