SocNet98 – Socrates Network of European University Schools of Social Work

Who are we?

We are a functioning network of Social Work Faculties/Departments under the scheme of Erasmus Life Long Learning program of the European Union (higher educational institutions) which was founded in 1998 during two international conferences held in Jena (G) and Groningen (NL) by universities of Groningen, Jena, Emden, Odense and Porsgrunn (see history of Socnet98). In the meantime the network includes the following partners (see also our EU-internetsite):

• City University of Applied Sciences Bremen, School of Social Work, Bremen (Germany)
• College of Polytechnics Jihlava (Czech Republic)
• Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (Slovakia)
• Ernst-Abbe-University of Applied Sciences Jena, Department of Social Work, Jena (Germany)
• European School of Higher Education of Social Work, Lille (France)
• Hanzehogeschool Groningen, Univ. of Appl. Sciences, School of Social Studies, Groningen (NL)
• Humak University of Applied Sciences, NGO and Youth Work Unit, Helsinki (SF)
• PXL Hogeschool Limburg, School of Social Work, Hasselt (Belgium)
• Telemark University College, School of Social Work, Porsgrunn (Norway)
• University College Lillebaelt, Department of Social Work, Odense (Denmark).
• University College Leuven-Limburg, School of Social Work, Leuven (Belgium)
• University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer, Department of Social Work, Emden (Germany)
• University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, Department of Social Sciences, St. Pölten (Austria)
• University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, School of App. Health and Social Sciences, Linz (A)
• Universitat de Girona, Facultat d’Educació i Psicolagia (Spain/Catalonia)
• University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Budweis (CZ)
• University of Toulouse – Jean Jaures, IUT Figeac (France)

unfortunately, due to the Brexit our dear partner

• Bournemouth University, Faculty of Social Sciences and Social Work (England)

ist no longer part of the Erasmus-Network. Further, in the moment is ist questionable, if the Edinburgh Napier University, School of Health and Social Care (Scotland) will be able to join the network.

What do we do?

We exchange teachers and students on an individual and bilateral level. We secure a working platform for partners in the network cooperating especially within the Erasmus program of the so-called life long learning program of the European Union (the universities named above have common bilateral Erasmus contracts). We cover relevant aspects of social work in a multinational perspective through organising and participation in the International University Week which is held every year in April. We take turns – every third year 3-4 members of the network host the IUW and organise receiving students and teachers from the network – the other members send students and teachers to the IUW host universities. The International University Week is often the first step for students to make personal contacts regarding exchange on an individual basis. (see also our EU-internetsite)

What do we offer?

We are currently looking for new members in other European countries (who are currently not represented in the SocNet98) to join our network. We offer a well-functioning network with engaged people who think that internationalisation is an important aspect in social work education. All universities are linked via bilateral Erasmus contract with each other to foster student and teacher exchange.

Every year in April the International University Week is hosted by at least three network universities with bring together students and teachers from all university partners. In October we take turns hosting a network meeting with the participation of international co-ordinators and other relevant persons. The common language of our network meetings and International University Week is English.

What do we expect from you?

We expect you to be interested in:

• Bilateral Erasmus Agreements to all SocNet98 partner universities
• Exchanging students and teachers
• Organising an International University Week every 2^nd or 3^rd year
• Sending students and teachers to International University Weeks in other European countries

We expect and provide responsibility and active participation and look forward to welcoming you in our network. Therefore, bilateral Erasmus contracts with the network partners are necessary.

On behalf of the network
Prof. Dr.iur. Thomas Trenczek, M.A. (Jena)

Please do not hesitate to contact us either via one of the Erasmus network partners or myself.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Trenczek, M.A.; Ernst-Abbe-University of Applied Sciences, Department of Social Work and Social Sciences; Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, Germany (Email: thomas.trenczek@eah-jena.de)