The University of Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD), founded in 1350

The University of Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD), founded in 1350, is a multidisciplinary public higher institution, offering more than a hundred national study programmes ranging from bachelor's to doctoral degrees. With a long history of 670 years, it has gradually built its own identity and values based on the specific features of the territory its occupies. On a regional scale, the UPVD is located on 7 sites (Mende, Font-Romeu, Tautavel, Narbonne, Carcassonne, le Barcarès and Perpignan) in which it has developed multidisciplinary research and training, mobilised around human beings in and with his environment. Research and training are structured through its 4 faculties, 3 institutes and 2 doctoral schools, around 5 major academic fields, : Arts, literature, languages; Sciences, technology, health; Human and social sciences; Law, economics, management; Sciences and techniques of physical and sports activities. The training offer is supported by a dynamic research through its 17 laboratories which work in synergy with socio-economic stakeholders, companies, associations, centres of innovation and some of the major national research centres. The UPVD is a university with strong international links. It welcomes 9,500 students per year, 23% of whom are foreign students - more than a third of whom are from European countries, representing a total of 120 nationalities. The University of Perpignan's international cooperation strategy is in line with the objectives of the Erasmus+ programme and aims to develop the internationalisation of its training offer through the implementation of quality mobility programmes and international cooperation projects. The UPVD targets Mediterranean countries, French-speaking countries, Latin America, and Europe - including Spain due to its geographical proximity. The development of cross-border relations has been a strong development axis for years. Partnerships are established for all levels of study and research activities. The UPVD has signed more than 70 international cooperation agreements, and 169 bilateral Erasmus+ agreements involving 17 countries. It has set up 3 double degrees (in language and tourism), an Erasmus Mundus Master degree in comparative literature "Crossways in cultural narratives", and has developed 9% of PhD thesis in co-supervision (joint degrees). Thanks to its participation in numerous European and multilateral projects (Tempus, INTERREG, H2020, Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus +, structural funds, etc.), the UPVD has acquired real know-how in the coordination, implementation, management of international cooperation, and of mobility projects, capacity building projects and in the exchange of good practices. The UPVD welcomes about a hundred students and supports more than 400 outgoing mobility students within the exchange framework programmes every year. The opportunity offered by the Erasmus+ higher education mobility programme has enabled the UPVD and its partners to develop their cooperation and improve the visibility of their institution and their teaching and research programmes at European and international level. The UPVD has received the label of good practice recognising the quality of the management and implementation of its individual mobility projects KA103 for the period 2014-2020 and has just obtained the accreditation of the ECHE Charter for the period 2021-2027. On the strength of this successful experience within the Erasmus + programme, the UPVD would now like to broaden its perspectives by participating in the activities of the European Solidarity Corps, especially regarding to the reception and the sending of volunteers.