Universities, just like any other company, library, bank or even individual person now have clearly two proximities; physical as well as on-line. In extending the mobility programme of the universities we have to include both. This means trying  to use the full potential of physical mobility (20% by 2020) as well as ICT for innovating mobility in next generations new environment of international proximity on-line. In the political and societal discourse of developments in higher education, students’ (and teachers’) mobility has become increasingly important. Referring to student mobility usually means referring to the highly successful mobility programmes under the EU Erasmus scheme.

To use the full potential of university’s proximity we must also focus on the opportunities given by virtual proximity next to physical proximity.  This means that any university nowadays can offer access to programmes, knowledge and even interaction with fellow students and staff within a virtual mobility scheme. Only by the combination of a physical and virtual mobility programmes, universities use the full potential of giving access to international students and staff.

Still, mobility is a reality for only a minority of students. The vast majority of students is studying within national boundaries, which seems to be in total contradiction to an increased international environment of persons, businesses and education. By participating as a university in a virtual mobility schemes, you offer to potentially all your students the opportunity of an international academic transfer,  including also 25+ students, engaged in family and work life. The extension of virtual mobility next to physical mobility makes university programmes more international and more flexible.

Although virtual mobility is an international experience and international awareness builder by interactive sessions with fellow students and university staff, it is of course offering a lighter version of the social and cultural experience that physical Erasmus can offer. On the other hand, virtual mobility is offering an experience and is building competencies directly related to what we call “new skills for new jobs”. Students in virtual mobility schemes learn to work and cooperate in an international setting with the use of ICT and social platforms. This is for most segments of society becoming increasingly more important and should become an essential part of any higher education programme.