Studying abroad

Assistance and agreements for international mobility

The service intends to deal with the definition of agreements with universities in other countries for the international mobility of students, in particular for periods of training abroad, but also, for example, for the award of joint degrees or double degrees appropriate for the achievement of the expected learning outcomes, as well as the organisation and management of the international mobility of outgoing students and the reception of incoming students from other countries.

In recent years, the University of Parma has undertaken important work aimed at increasing the number of courses with double or joint degrees, with a view to increasing and promoting international mobility. In this sense, the policies for the development of the course catalogue have taken specific account of the relationship between the international development of the course catalogue itself, its sustainability and adequacy, and the territorial dimension and relations with other universities. It is precisely the international dimension of the course catalogue that is aimed not only at increasing the number of deserving international students, diversifying their geographical origin, but also at increasing the number of graduates who have had training experience abroad, thus strengthening the international dimension of training contexts, including through the teaching of foreign experts and the development of students' language skills.

The University of Parma is part of a network of instructor and student exchanges that, through numerous agreements at EU and non-EU level, allows for study periods abroad and/or internships, enabling students to undertake training experiences abroad, both teaching and work-related, as part of mobility programmes, thus creating international career opportunities for its students and favourable environments for the development of research activities, through the funding of projects by local researchers and the attraction of scholars from all over the world.

Over the years, the numerous academic contacts that have developed have allowed for the creation of a network of international collaborations that today sees the presence of partnerships with Universities and Research Organisations from all over the world, with consequent recognition of the University of Parma on the international academic scene.

The intense activity aimed at improving internationalisation has taken the form of 
⦁    an increase in language training opportunities, 
⦁    the consolidation of exchange activities within the Erasmus+ Programme, 
⦁    the expansion of exchange opportunities within the
OVERWORLD University Programme, 
⦁    the implementation of dual-title programmes co-financed by the
CariParma Foundation to support Visiting Professors
university working within the Doctoral Schools, 
⦁    the recruitment of Visiting Professors for teaching activities in the 1st and 2nd level degree courses.

In order to coordinate central and departmental activities, International Mobility Commissions have been established in each department since 2017. Internationalisation initiatives are accessible from the 'INTERNATIONAL' menu item on the university homepage.
In order to foster the growth and scientific and didactic updating of the teaching staff, the University encourages participation in international mobility programmes, both under the Erasmus+ Programme and the OverWorld Programme, in order to carry out a teaching and/or training period abroad; it promotes initiatives useful for acquiring specific knowledge and know-how from good practices (creation of academic networks, research collaborations, participation in competitive calls) and for developing language skills relevant to professional development.

The realisation and implementation of internationalisation processes, on the basis of the directives issued by the university governance, is carried out by the Internationalisation Unit (Research, Internationalisation and Third Mission Management Area).

In accordance with the University's Teaching Regulations, the Department of Engineering and Architecture (DIA) has recently set up an International Mobility Commission (IMC) with the task of promoting and making international student mobility effective.

In order to encourage international student mobility and increase the number of students, the DIA's International Mobility Commission has identified a general action plan to support the activities of the individual course councils on two levels: information and orientation and the raising of students' language skills.

The CMI will organise a series of meetings with students at the beginning of each academic year in order to explain the possibilities of periods abroad within the framework of the Erasmus and Overworld Programmes and within the framework of the possibilities made available by the activities of individual professors/instructors. To complete the information activities, the CMI will also carry out orientation activities to direct students towards the most appropriate programme with reference to the level achieved in the degree course and more in line with individual aspirations; this activity will take place both at the aforementioned information meetings and on an individual level, by organising a reception timetable in which the instructors responsible for the individual degree courses, present in the Commission, will be available to students.

In order to raise students' language proficiency levels, a systematic awareness-raising campaign will be carried out so that students benefit from the initiatives planned by the university through the university's Organisational Unit for Language Learning.

In addition, the CMI will develop a training proposal for all DIA courses of study for the recognition of ECTS credits to all those students who will obtain a recognition of a language proficiency level higher than B1 in the main vehicular languages of the European Union, with a focus on English.

In parallel with the above-mentioned student actions, the MIC will monitor existing international exchange agreements and projects in order to identify the 'most active' and strategic ones. In doing so, it will develop specific support and promotion actions to become effective tools for the international mobility of students. In particular, direct contacts will be made with the heads of the partner universities in order to find all the information necessary for an effective orientation programme and support in the drafting of learning agreements.

The CMI will also develop a 'development plan' for international agreements, aimed at increasing both numerically and qualitatively the international training offer for students. Particular attention will be paid to agreements for double or joint degrees, to strengthen existing ones and to create new ones.

The CMI will be assisted by tutors provided by the university in monitoring existing agreements and assisting students.

Agreements for international mobility

A number of scholarships are available for students of study courses pertaining to the Department of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Parma as part of the
ERASMUS programme (International Mobility).

There is also a multilateral agreement between Italian and French universities for double degrees, involving courses in the information sector (electronics, computing, telecommunications)
(STIC&A Programme). See also
http://www.unipr.it/doppititoli_UE. The agreement provides for the exchange of students within a network of Italian and French universities in order to obtain a double degree. The agreement, which has been in force for more than 10 years, was renewed in 2015 for a five-year term.