Development and expansion of European joint master's programme in line with growing demand for high quality professionals

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Jungtinė magistrantūros programa; Erasmus Mundus jungtinis magistro laipsnis; Socialinis darbas. Keywords: Joint master programme; Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree; Social Work.

ENThe article analyzes the development of the Joint Master's programme in response to the most important European higher education documents and the current needs of future social work professionals. The analysis of EU documents highlights the main areas for necessity to increase competences of social workers in working with children and youth: empowerment of children and youth; development of children and youth social and intercultural competences; upskilling social workers' digital competence and developing digital skills of children and youth; upskilling social workers entrepreneur competence and developing entrepreneur skills of children and youth; and research competence. European universities in four countries are involved in the implementation of the European Joint Master in Social Work with Children and Youth (ESWOCHY): Mykolas Romeris University (MRU, Lithuania), Riga Stradins University (RSU, Latvia), the Catholic University in Ruzomberok (CU, Slovakia) and ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE, Portugal). Collaboration among Consortium partners and other stakeholders is the main pattern that enables strengthening of innovation and excellence in the higher education institutions involved and strengthen the European higher education system. The contribution of the ESWOCHY to the excellence in the European Higher Education Area is based on the process of Consortium partners efforts to adapt continuously their higher education systems making them more compatible and strengthening their quality assurance mechanisms. [From the publication]