Expanded Cooperation Between VUC and Czech Republic

- Norway has a good teaching technique in art subjects that is similar to ours. We would therefore like to discuss the possibility of further cooperation in order to improve our offers and hopefully start with exchange programs between our schools and VUC, says Jiři Taufer, principle of The Primary School of Arts in Rỳmařov.

In the CzechRepublic there are around 450 schools of art like the one in which Jiři Taufer teaches. According to him, those schools have existed for hundreds of years, and are unique in Europe. However, in recent years reforms in the curriculum of the schools have been discussed, and there is where VUC comes into the picture.

- Since we are about to change our program of study, I thought it would be important to see how other countries function and which methods they use in art teaching. After surfing the Internet for a while, I found out that Norway could be a relevant country to visit, Taufer says.

Jiři Taufer hopes this will not be his last visit in Volda 

In Norway, he contacted FagerliaUpperSecondary School in Ålesund (Fagerlia videregående skole), which recommended him to visit VUC and check out the various offers the college has in art classes. Taufer, together with the 11 other teachers, is highly enthusiastic to learn more about how they can build up a good and strong cooperation with the college.

Kjell Holby, the international coordinator at VUC, has been accompanying the Czech guests. He is positive about the chance to expand the cooperation between VUC and the CzechRepublic.

- The CzechRepublic is one of our strongest partners when it comes to students’ exchange. This semester alone we have 9 students from there, and we expect more Czech student next semester as well, says Holby. He adds that exchange of students and teachers between VUC and art schools will be beneficial to both parties. Since VUC is starting a dance course in the autumn, the meeting this week is especially important:

- The art studies at the college are expanding, and it is crucial for us to learn how other art schools function. We are also open for possibilities of exchange of students and teachers, Holby states.

Kjell Holby together with two of the Czech art teachers, yesterday under a meeting at BK

The Czech delegation is leaving Volda tomorrow, and Jiři Taufer hopes this will not be the last time he visits VUC:

- I think that working together with this college will be significant for both parties, and I hope this will be a start of a long and strong bond, says Taufer. He adds that a concert is planned in October, where there will be a lot of concerts and presentations that are related to art.