MINT
This page provides answers to a number of frequently asked questions about MINT.
Questions
- Do I need to re-apply for the tool each new season or does my application remain valid?
- When can I use the tool?
- Am I notified when I can fill in the tool (again)?
- Is there a short version of the questionnaire?
- When I log in a second time after filling out part of the questionnaire I do not return to the first page: why is that?
- If I enter data in September will I have to wait until May for the results?
- What is the difference between the various reports?
- What will the reports look like?
- How do I find out if there are any registered users I would like to compare myself against?
- Could you give me any tips on carrying out a benchmark?
- Can I print what I have filled out or what I am filling out?
- How can I print reports without text falling off a page?
- Does the tool offer the option of filling out more than one ‘other’ answer?
- Does the tool include a question on the suitability of partners for the programme?
- What does the tool NOT offer?
- How have definitions been set?
- Where can we ask questions about definitions?
- Can Nuffic staff give a presentation about MINT at our institution?
- What will happen with the data I enter?
- What is the difference between the save and submit button?
- Can I fill out the tool as a test first?
- How is pollution of the data in the database prevented?
- Should I still fill out the questions on Academic Services if we are only partly involved in these services at a central level?
Answers
Do I need to re-apply for the tool each year or does my application remain valid?
No, you need not apply again. Your application and login will remain valid.
When can I use the tool?
The tool is available throughout the year. However, some features are available during limited time periods only. Please check the details on the MINT website under 'registration'.
Am I notified when I can fill in the tool (again)?
Yes, all registered users are automatically notified when a new phase of the tool starts.
Is there a short version of the questionnaire?
Yes, depending on your answers. The tool was developed in such a way that you will only be asked questions that are relevant, based on your answers to previous questions. A high number of positive answers is likely to lead to more questions. If you want, you can choose to focus on just one or several aspects of internationalisation rather than on all. This will allow you to go into depth on these aspects instead of having to go through all details to cover the full range.
When I log in a second time after filling out part of the questionnaire I do not return to the first page: why is that?
The tool remembers the last page you filled out before you logged out.
If I enter data in September will I have to wait until May to get the results?
No, data you enter, for instance, in September can be seen directly in the comprehensive Self-evaluation Report and in the Management Summary. These are automatically generated and shown under the ‘reports’ menu item in the tool. Should you also want to have a Comparison or Benchmark Report made, you will be given this opportunity in May. This is linked to a specific point in time because these reports can only be prepared once users have entered a lot of data.
What is the difference between the various reports?
The Self-evaluation Report shows all the data you entered in a logical format including graphs and tables. The Management Summary shows you the highlights of the data you entered focussing on internationalisation policy and quality assurance. In a Comparison Report you will be able to compare yourself to a similar programme or institution/faculty. Please note that if you are interested in comparing yourself you are advised to directly contact a possible comparison partner to make sure they will enter the same type of data in the tool.
Finally, a Benchmark Report allows you to compare your own data to the average of a group of users who share certain characteristics e.g. averages of all Universities of Applied Sciences or of all Faculties of Sociology. Depending on the number of users, one or more benchmark groups may be made available for comparison. A benchmark group will consist of at least five users to ensure data anonymity.
What will the reports look like?
Examples of reports are available on the MINT website.
How do I find out if there are any registered users I would like to compare myself against?
In May Nuffic releases a complete user overview to all users for comparison purposes. If you want to make sure you have a comparison partner, we advise you to directly contact the programme or institute/faculty you wish to compare yourself against. Nuffic cannot release user names any earlier because we need to give MINT users the opportunity to fill in data in their own time and at their own pace.
Could you give me any tips on carrying out a benchmark?
Yes, please check the MINT website under the heading ‘Use of MINT’.
Can I print what I have filled out or what I am filling out?
Yes, you can, using the print option in your internet browser.
How can I print reports without text falling off a page?
In the print menu select A4 paper format and change the setting to ‘shrink to fit (this is available in most browsers).
Does the tool offer the option of filling out more than one ‘other’ answer?
No, the tool currently offers only one option per question for filling out a category ‘other’.
Does the tool include a question on the suitability of partners for the programme?
No it does not. It does include questions on what activities the partnerships support and what the importance of the partner network is. Other tools are being developed which will provide the option of searching institutions based on their profile. An example of this is U-map.
What does the tool NOT offer?
The MINT tool does not offer direct solutions or answers to specific questions, future scenarios or the option of including results from for instance student evaluations.
How have definitions been set?
The definitions are based on literature review and discussions with the think-tank of higher education institutions.
Where can we ask questions about definitions?
Definitions have been included in the tool. You will be able to read them by putting your cursor on the blue ‘i’ . If you still have questions about the definitions please contact Nuffic through mint[at]nuffic.nl.
Can Nuffic staff give a presentation about MINT at our institution?
Yes, Nuffic staff can do this for substantial groups of people, for instance all faculties or schools. For more information please contact us through mint@nuffic.nl.
What will happen with the data I enter?
The data will be included in a database. The data will be used to make comparison and benchmark reports. Furthermore, Nuffic will use information from the database to improve the MINT tool and other Nuffic services. Any data used in publications will be made anonymous.
What is the difference between the save and submit button?
There is hardly any difference between these buttons, which is why we will remove the submit button from the tool in a future release. Saving also happens automatically upon pressing the ‘next’ button on a page.
Can I fill out the tool as a test first?
Yes you can, but please make sure you fill out ‘test’ in the General Data form when asked for the institution's name. This will ensure your data will not be used in a benchmark.
How is pollution of the data in the database prevented?
There are three pollution-prevention measures in place:
- When users enter test data they are requested to fill out ‘test’ in the General Data form when asked for their institution’s name.
- Nuffic always checks the user data.
- A final check is done using a special software tool.
Should I still fill out the questions on Academic Services if we are only partly involved in these services at a central level?
If the Academic Services are being supplied from the central unit you can answer ‘yes’ to this question. If the Academic Services are being supplied from a decentralized level you should answer ‘no’ to the question in the central-level part of the questionnaire and ‘yes’ to the question at the decentralized level.