The Gordon Academic College of Education
International Office, led by Vice President of the College, Mr. Igal Sheinis, visited
  the University of Crete 28 June – 2 July in
the framework of the ERASMUS+ International Mobility exchange program,
following a partnership initiated by the UoC School of Science &
Engineering. The purpose of the visit was not only the exchange of good
practices relating to internationalization, but also exploring possibilities
for further collaboration and expanding the scope of the institutional partnership. Gordon
College is a  leading Israeli teacher-training
college with expertise in integrating state of the art technology with modern
pedagogy, innovative methods of teaching and learning (online as well as
frontal), and in developing, participating and coordinating major European
Commission programs for capacity building. 
Areas of mutual benefit were thus quickly discovered.  

Α targeted and intensive
program of meetings was organized by the Dept. of International Relations. This
included the UoC Authorities,  specifically Vice Rectors Professor G. Kosioris
and Professor K. Spanoudakis, as well as faculty members and administration
staff of  Academic Departments and
Research Centers  in both of the
University campuses of Rethymno and Heraklion. Presentations and discussion
centred on mutually beneficial collaborations in many areas, including

• sharing of knowledge and
  expertise in developing programs for innovative learning environments, geared
  for engaged and dynamic teaching and learning; 
• developing capacity
  building programs aimed at curriculum development for sustainability for
  teacher-training programs and
• exchange of knowledge and
  pedagogical methods for designing and running online-courses.  

 In addition, areas of joint research
were discussed relating to teaching in higher education after the pandemic and
other mutual topics that require exploration.

This visit of the GACE delegation was
successful in laying the groundwork for  a
long and fruitful academic collaboration based on the myriad opportunities
offered by the Erasmus+ program, not only within Europe but also worldwide.