The International Hellenic University is the youngest higher education institution in Greece and from its establishment has focused on attracting leading academics and outstanding students from South East Europe (SEE) and across the world. The International Hellenic University is Greece's first state university where the teaching and student administration of all programmes is conducted exclusively in English. It was established by Law No. 3391 October 2005 and began offering second-cycle programmes in 2008. For the academic year 2014-2015, the total number of postgraduate programmes offered is 10 and this number is expected to increase further in coming years. The IHU strategic mission is threefold: ? Provide research and education that meet the needs of the international community. ? Enhance understanding of the economic, socio-political and technological issues facing the societies we serve, through teaching and research of the highest academic standard. ? Create an international and diverse student and faculty community to foster greater understanding between cultures and nations. It is important to note that the IHU offers only second-cycle, specialized degrees (at master level) with duration of one full year in full-time mode and two full years in part-time mode. Since September 2013, graduate programmes leading to doctoral (Ph.d) degree are offered.The International Hellenic University has incorporated the principles of greater internationalisation in its Strategic Plan, being the only university in Greece that has English as its working language with students. The IHU puts the focus on the learning process, creating an academic environment and the necessary conditions to efficiently pursue its primary target of excellence in research and teaching. Among the aspects the International Hellenic University has incorporated successfully in its mode of operation are the following: ? Internationalisation aspect ? Introduction of transparent evaluation processes ? Establishment of links between universities and civil society In response to the increasingly globalized environment and the trend towards internationalisation in higher education, the IHU?s international strategy is to put emphasis on improving academic standards for the students and establishing open collaborative environments for teaching and research staff. As such, the stress is put on education that is internationally relevant and not confined to local conditions, with research partnerships and networks that reflect every aspect of a university's activity, from research collaboration to student exchanges and enterprise partnerships. Furthermore, the learning environment offered aspires to enable students to be better placed in the international job market and to become global citizens, helped in this by their direct experience of other cultures, nations and perspectives. Consequently it acknowledges the increased significance of European and international academic mobility and that a broad range of networks and links with international institutions is essential to sustain scholarly exchange, research, constant curriculum modernization and increased employment opportunities for its graduates. The selection criteria of partners are based on the following guiding principles: ? Academic excellence ? Thematic and scientific relevance of the programmes ? Regional integration and International diversity The IHU has already been developing networks with institutions in the countries of SE Europe, the Black Sea region, the Mediterranean basin and Eastern Europe and aims to further enhance its links with these areas while strengthening academic exchange with the rest of Europe as currently the visiting faculty counts for almost 2/3 of the teaching staff and originates from 15 countries (academic year 2012-13). Furthermore the International Hellenic University is committed to a comprehensive equal opportunities policy for both its staff and students. Individuals are selected and treated on the basis of appropriate merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University. In the previous period the IHU focused mainly on exchanges of students and staff, but as the institution is rapidly developing, it will expand the range of activities in the next period to include joint programmes of study, etc. First and foremost it is the IHU?s strategy to consolidate its relationship with Higher Educational Institutions in other countries through agreements and active cooperation in mobility activities. Within this framework, all Erasmus agreements are subject to prior ratification of an inter-institutional agreement, indicating the subject area, the number of student/staff places on the exchange and the appropriate level of the students (postgraduate, etc). These agreements establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the different parties, as well as their commitment to shared quality criteria.