The INVEST European University Alliance recently expanded by welcoming three new partners to join the consortium. One of these new universities is the University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB). This fall, staff members from Karelia UAS had chance to visit UNIMIB on several occasions. These visits helped build connections, provided a platform for benchmarking best practices, and strengthened collaboration between the two universities as part of INVEST framework.
University of Milano-Bicocca
University of Milano-Bicocca is a relatively young, multidisciplinary, mid-sized university in Milan, established in 1998. It hosts approximately 37 000 students and employs 1180 staff members. The university offers programs in fields such as economics, law, sciences, medicine, sociology, psychology, and education, with a total of 77 study programs, 12 of which are available in English. A year after graduation, 82% of students are employed. Bicocca aims to increase internationalization at multiple levels.
The university is easily accessible by metro from the city center. The main campus buildings are former car factory facilities, and the surrounding area hosts several companies, including those in the automotive industry. This proximity benefits university’s technical fields through various forms of industry collaboration.
Erasmus Staff exchange experience at UNIMIB
Leena Hiltunen, a Student Counselor from Karelia UAS, participated in a week-long staff exchange in Milan. The visit focused on student well-being, benchmarking, and topics related to the INVEST alliance.
Student Well-Being and Psychological Services at UNIMIB
At UNIMIB, student health care is provided as a university service for both students and staff, benefiting from the resources of a large organization. Exploring their specialized support measures was one of the most valuable aspects of the visit.
The visit also provided an opportunity to explore the psychological services offered by UNIMIB. Similar to trends across Europe, the demand for mental health support among students in Italy has increased significantly in recent years. At UNIMIB, approximately 50% of students use counseling services at some point during their studies. This high level of engagement highlights the growing recognition of mental health as a crucial aspect of student well-being. The collaboration between different support services at UNIMIB appeared to be well-structured and effective, ensuring that students receive comprehensive assistance tailored to their needs.
Tutor Activities and Bicocca University Angels
During the exchange, Leena had the chance to learn about UNIMIB’s tutoring activities and the Bicocca University Angels (BUA). They support both incoming and outgoing exchange students and also participate in marketing international exchanges. The name “Angels” is inspired by the concept of Business Angels.
B. Inclusion Cervices
Since 1990, Italian universities have been legally required to provide services that promote inclusivity. At UNIMIB, these are coordinated through the Inclusive Center, which offers a range of support services. These include transportation assistance for navigating the campus, psychological counselling, guidance on assistive learning tools, and support in developing study skills. Students requiring accommodations meet with a psychologist early in their studies to create a personalized support plan. A unique feature is the recommendation to use pre-approved mind maps during exams, alongside extended test times.
Remote Learning Perspectives
Discussions also highlighted differences in approaches to remote learning. At UNIMIB, remote education is limited to 10–20% of lectures, and fully online or hybrid degree programs are not offered. University representatives expressed concerns about young students’ ability to stay engaged in remote settings, despite acknowledging the flexibility such options provide. Meanwhile, some private Italian universities offer online degrees, but scepticism about their quality has contributed to resistance. This exchange of ideas highlighted the cultural and structural differences between the two institutions. While Karelia embraces flexibility in education, UNIMIB remains cautious, prioritizing in-person engagement and maintaining high academic standards.
INVEST meetings at UNIMIB
In October, University of Milano-Bicocca was also hosting the INVEST Rectors’ Assembly, Steering Committee, and Work Package 5 (WP5) meetings. From Karelia UAS representatives, including President Petri Raivo, Director of International Affairs and INVEST Leader Liisa Timonen, and Project Specialist Riina Korhonen, attended the meetings in Milan.
Within the INVEST alliance, UNIMIB is coordinating the Work Package 5 called “Excellence & Forward Looking Education – Micro-credentials, Double Degree PhD Programs, and Lifelong Learning”. The aim is to promote micro-credentials to offer student-centered, flexible learning opportunities that enrich and complement the educational offer in INVEST and meet labour market demands. UNIMIB has extensive experience with micro-credentials and the use of open badges in education. The work package also aims to create a framework for inter-university INVEST Cotutelles and Double Degree Doctoral Programs, and to design and develop lifelong learning programs at all levels.
During the Rectos’ Assembly and Steering Committee meetings, the governance model for the “INVEST Center of Excellence in RDI,” which focuses on collaborative research, development, and innovation activities, was approved. The meetings offered a platform for partners to discuss program development at all levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, as well as the alliance’s ambitious mobility goals.
Conclusion
Our visits to University of Milano-Bicocca have been very successful. Face-to-face interactions play a crucial role in fostering international collaboration, as they allow colleagues to build trust and strengthen relationships—an essential basis for effective remote project work. The multidisciplinary nature of the University of Milano-Bicocca makes it a great destination for staff exchanges. The university’s strong commitment to increasing internationalization was evident in the staff’s enthusiasm and dedication during visits and in building partnerships.
Authors:
Leena Hiltunen, Student Counsellor, Karelia UAS
Riina Korhonen, Project Specialist, Karelia UAS
References:
University of Milano-Bicocca. 2024. Homepage. https://en.unimib.it/
INVEST Alliance Grant Agreement
