In total, 120 universities had applied for the ESCI Champions award, which certifies the institutions’ progress in implementing the various components that enable them to digitally manage Erasmus+ mobility. It thus certifies the ability to be leaders and share good practices in these areas. The UB, it is one of only five universities to achieve this mention in two categories: with the implementation of Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) and the European Student Card (ESC).
The UB had already obtained the EWP champion award in 2023 and has now renewed and extended it until 2027. This award results from the continued implementation of the EWP and the digitization of international mobility management across all UB faculties and centres. This has been achieved through joint work between the Office for Mobility and International Programmes and the international relations offices of the centres, the Area for Information and Communication Technologies and the Electronic Administration, Records Management and Documentary Heritage.
It has also started issuing the European Student Card, which is now available on the SocUB app. All these actions are part of the strategy for implementing the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education promoted by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Internationalization Policy.
The digitization process has made it possible to simplify procedures for students, while at the same time increasing security in the management of documentation. For example, learning agreements have been digitized, which include commitments to credit recognition and the subjects enrolled at both origin and destination institutions. In short, progress has been made towards a better administration of international mobility at the University.
During the days of the EAIE 2025, the inaugural meeting of the ESCI Champions 2025–2027 also took place. The University of Barcelona (UB) was recognized as an ESCI Champion of Excellence for its outstanding implementation of both Erasmus without Paper (EWP) and the European Student Card (ESC).