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Mobility of higher education students and staff supported by internal policy funds (KA131-HED) - Coordinator: UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA

2023-1-IT02-KA131-HED-0001357462023Mobility of higher education students and stafffinalized
Countries: IT · Grant: €2,031,830

Objectives

International mobility has always been one of the most significant tools for the University of Pavia to foster personal, academic, and professional growth. Within this framework, through the Erasmus+ KA131 project, the University of Pavia has set clear objectives consistent with its internationalization strategy and the priorities of the European Commission. A first objective concerns inclusion. UNIPV’s KA131 has aimed to ensure equal access to mobility for all students and staff, with particular attention to those facing economic, social, or disability-related barriers. Complementary grants and specific support mechanisms have been designed to break down obstacles and promote the participation of a wide and diverse audience, reflecting the University’s commitment to a truly inclusive Erasmus+. Alongside this, sustainability has been a key focus: students and staff have been encouraged to choose low-impact means of transport, in line with the University’s growing attention to green mobility. A second objective has been to strengthen the European and international dimension of education. Study and traineeship periods abroad have not been conceived as isolated experiences, but as an integral part of the academic journey. The acquisition of credits, the recognition of skills developed, and exposure to different educational contexts have enhanced the quality of education provided by UNIPV, making it more competitive within the European Higher Education Area. At the same time, mobility has fostered transversal, linguistic, and intercultural competences, which are increasingly essential in the global labour market. In this context, study mobilities implemented through the Student Exchange Agreement of the Coimbra Group and the EC2U Alliance have expanded academic opportunities and strengthened students’ integration within long-term cooperation networks. A third pillar has been digitalization. The University of Pavia has strongly invested in the adoption of the Erasmus Without Paper tools and the European Student Card, with the goal of reducing administrative burdens, speeding up processes, and improving the services offered to students and staff. As a result, mobility has become not only more accessible but also more efficient and aligned with European digital standards. During the implementation of this project, UNIPV was also named an EWP Champion by the European Commission. Staff training and capacity building have represented another strategic goal. Sending academic and administrative staff abroad for teaching and training activities has made it possible to import new practices, innovative approaches, and organizational models. Therefore, staff mobility has been a direct investment in the quality of teaching and the efficiency of services, generating cascading benefits for the entire academic community. Finally, KA131 has been a fundamental instrument for strengthening the University’s European partnerships. Historical collaborations have been consolidated, and new opportunities for cooperation with high-quality institutions have emerged. The growth in incoming mobility, balanced with the increase in outgoing flows, has contributed to enhancing UNIPV’s international visibility and fostering a cosmopolitan, attractive, and exchange-oriented environment. In this regard, the University has allocated a significant portion of its KA131 funding to support the EC2U European University Alliance. Incoming mobilities have also enriched the city’s cultural and social activities, making both the university and the city environment more international, inclusive, and open to intercultural dialogue. In the perspective of inclusion and support for the participation of students and staff with fewer opportunities, UNIPV has also launched its first Blended Intensive Programmes, with 12 initiatives coordinated to date. These activities have contributed to making the University of Pavia an increasingly attractive hub within the European Higher Education Area. All these objectives are fully aligned with the cross-cutting priorities of Erasmus+ such as inclusion and diversity, green transition, digital transition, and civic engagement, reinforcing the University’s role as a responsible and innovative actor in the European Higher Education Area. Thus, the objectives of KA131 at the University of Pavia have gone far beyond the simple management of mobility flows: the project has sought to make mobility an inclusive, sustainable, digitalized, and high-impact learning experience, strengthening the University’s role in the European landscape and generating lasting value for students, staff, and partners.

Project partners (1)