Inter-University Collaboration

Both their autonomy and the increased sensitivity of Italian universities to internationalisation policies have led to a considerable increase in the collaboration agreements drawn up directly between Italian and foreign universities. Precisely as a result of the dynamism that marks this interuniversity collaboration it is not possible at the moment to offer an entirely comprehensive overview of the situation. We would therefore advise anyone interested to contact the individual universities regarding these agreements. The universities’ e-mail addresses are available at the site of the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR), and at that of the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI), and their respective offices for international relations. The agreements are differentiated on the basis of:

• content: teaching activities, scientific activities, integrated study programmes for dual recognition of educational qualifications, mobility, study grants, etc.;
  
• type: framework agreement, thematic agreement, bilateral or multilateral understanding, etc.
  
• available funding: university, department, MIUR, EU, other public and private bodies and organisations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributes to the internationalisation of the university system through:

• conventions and special projects (see, for example, the UNIADRION university network);
  
• funding for the mobility of researchers in the context of bilateral intergovernmental programmes (see Accords and Cultural, Scientific and Technological Programmes);
  
• the assignment of study grants for university and post-university studies;
  
• contributions for particularly important scientific and technological initiatives covered by bilateral intergovernmental programmes (see Scientific and Technological Cooperation).