Enhancing teaching practices at Penza State University

Abstract

The article examines the major challenges that Russian higher education institutions face while introducing the principles of the Bologna Process into current teaching practice. Their participation in the international projects together with European HEIs is seen as one of the possible ways to overcome the encountered difficulties. The role of the Capacity Building projects under the Erasmus+ Programme is illustrated by an example of Penza State University and its involvement in the ENTEP project (Enhancing Teaching Practice in Higher Education in RUSSIA and CHINA). The main stages of implementing the project at PSU are revealed, the project outputs and outcomes are described, as well as the perspectives for further adaptation of the project results are outlined. The article describes the professional development course “Enhancing teaching practices at PSU”, which was developed within the ENTEP project and offered for teaching and administrative staff of the university. The project contribution at the university is assessed in terms of adopting the best teaching practices in the context of the Bologna Process and European Higher Education Area.