Abstract:

The University of Belgrade (founded in 1808) carries out study programs at thirty-one faculty, at the level of basic academic, basic professional, graduate academic, specialist academic, specialized professional, doctoral and multidisciplinary studies, harmonizing them with the principles of the Bologna Declaration. Teachers and associates of the University of Belgrade (8,000 of them) make up the largest part of the scientific potential of Serbia. The University of Belgrade was ranked among the best world universities in 8 out of 46 scientific fields and in two scientific fields within the QS World University Rankings by Subjects for 2017. In the field of philology, the University of Belgrade ranks between 201st and 250th place.

Continuing the tradition of openness towards the world and being aware of the reputation that it enjoys, its geographical position and potentials, the University of Belgrade strives to affirm the policy of friendly and constructive academic links with universities worldwide, as well as to improve international exchange of teachers, students and administration, in accordance with the adopted documents, the Strategy for the Internationalization of the University of Belgrade (2014) and the Action Plan for Internationalization of the University of Belgrade.

The University of Belgrade is ready to maintain and improve its position as the leading higher education institution in the region, by adapting itself to the challenges of the new age, but at the same time preserving what is worthwhile in its tradition, which is why it is recognized as a true national brand. One of its forms of leadership in the region are its joint study programs with foreign universities (already developed or planned), among which particularly noteworthy are those that resulted from the cooperation with universities in London, Moscow, Versailles, Orleans, Dublin, and Tehran. One of the most active members of the University of Belgrade is the Faculty of Philology with almost 500 employees and 10,000 students, numerous cooperation agreements and realized study programs, which thus represents an excellent theoretical and empirical potential for drawing conclusions on the significance, quality and results of joint study programs.

The paper will first present current efforts of the University of Belgrade to achieve internationalization of its studies by offering numerous joint study programs in English and French. From the theoretical point of view, we will make an overview of previous studies which emphasized the benefits that stem from introducing joint study programs in otherwise somewhat more traditional educational institutions, while offering the example of modernized curricula of the faculties pertaining to the University of Belgrade. Theoretical framework will be further supported through empirical research involving 50 students of the Faculty of Philology having already successfully completed international joint study programs, whereby research results, inter alia, indicate that the faculties of philology, as educational institutions where foreign languages, their literatures and cultures are being studied, represent optimal places to implement joint study programs and easily blend diverse scientific fields together (e.g. by combining language, literature and culture studies with management, law, business administration, international trade and many other fields of study).

Keywords:

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology, internationalization of teaching, joint study programs.