From 31 March to 4 April 2025, staff from the University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB) took part in the first week of the INVEST Joint Staff Training Initiative, hosted by the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA). This programme was co-designed by URCA, UNIMIB, and Karelia University of Applied Sciences (KARELIA UAS), as part of their collaboration within the INVEST European University Alliance.
The theme of the week, “INVESTed in International Student Support: A pledge of quality for the attractiveness of our institutions”, reflected the initiative’s international scope and strong connection to INVEST’s mission. The training was open to administrative staff from both INVEST and non-INVEST universities, encouraging exchange between institutions from various European University Alliances and beyond.
The programme featured a mix of workshops and conferences aimed at amplifying the voices of university stakeholders. Participants learned about URCA’s internationalisation efforts, including support for teaching in English, and linguistic and intercultural training. Testimonials from two students highlighted the impact of the Erasmus Student Network and the “Welcome to France” mentoring programme. Group discussions encouraged participants to reflect on practices in their own institutions, identify shared challenges, and brainstorm collaborative solutions.
External contributors also brought valuable perspectives on the relationship between universities, their territories, and internationalisation. Dimitri Oudin, Deputy Mayor of Reims for International Relations, shared how the city’s strategy aligns with URCA’s, while Susanna Spreafico from the Grand Est Youth Information Centre introduced initiatives like the European Student Ambassadors network and the “Time to Move” forum.
INVEST partners also led dedicated sessions: UNIMIB presented its “Bicocca University Angels” programme, showcasing student involvement in internationalisation, while Karelia UAS delivered an interactive workshop on mobilising university communities around international goals.
The week concluded with URCA’s International Students Day, where participants took part in a campus flag parade and represented their institutions through informational stands.
As part of the week, Bicocca staff also presented the university’s study abroad opportunities at URCA’s annual fair, Cultures en fête.
This first week marked the launch of a new kind of joint staff training format within the INVEST alliance. The programme consists of a blended structure: an initial in-person week, followed by two online sessions, and a final on-site week.
- Webinar 1: "How to organise a small-size dissemination event", hosted by URCA on Wednesday, 7 May 2025
- Webinar 2: "The Art and Science of Pitching", hosted by Karelia UAS on Monday, 19 May 2025. Register here
The final on-site week will take place at UNIMIB from 3 to 6 June 2025, and will address the opportunities and challenges of joint programmes, including topics like joint enrolment, credit recognition, legal frameworks, and student support.
