| Summary: | This research investigates how the FORTHEM Alliance, one certain network
within the European University Initiative, promotes intercultural competence
among its member universities. By examining the policies and practices of three
universities – the University of Jyväskylä, the Johannes Gutenberg University
Mainz, and the University of Agder – this study explores how the alliance
contributes to developing intercultural skills among students and staff. A
qualitative case study approach was employed, involving semi-structured
interviews with four university employees involved in maintaining the
FORTHEM Alliance at their respective institutions. Findings reveal a strong
alignment between the alliance's goals and member universities' initiatives,
such as student mobility, language training, and intercultural collaboration.
While the alliance demonstrates significant efforts, expanding its scope beyond
European values, strengthening staff involvement, and addressing challenges in
virtual mobility are crucial for further enhancing intercultural competence. The
research contributes to understanding how university alliances can promote
intercultural skills and informs future strategies for promoting
internationalisation and cross-cultural collaboration.
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