FOURTH PILLAR
Internationalisation, accreditations, rankings and the Africa Plan
The global dimension of the University is fostered by accreditation processes, rankings and participation in international networks. The internationalisation process is strengthened by collaborations with Catholic universities – including the FUCE, FIUC/IFCU and SACRU networks – and the projects of the Africa Plan.
Abstract
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is a global microcosm, with strong international attractiveness and widespread opportunities for exchange. Internationalisation is an integral part of academic life, with multicultural classrooms, mobility programmes and collaborations with universities around the world.
Recognising it as a strategic lever for teaching, research and competitiveness, the University aims to strengthen collaboration networks with universities, research centers and institutional partners, developing joint programmes, multi-campus programmes and initiatives abroad, while improving educational quality and the ability to attract students.
International rankings (QS, THE, Shanghai) and accreditations (AACSB, EFMD) are tools for continuous improvement, oriented towards research quality, internationalisation and employability, strengthening attractiveness and access to global networks.
The strategy is based on integrated services to enhance the international experience of students, faculty and technical-administrative staff, with the contribution of the alumni community as a lever for networking and development.
Finally, with the Africa Plan, the University aims to strengthen its role in emerging countries by promoting training, research and social development.
Strategic objectives
The strengthening of the international educational offer is a strategic driver for the quality and positioning of the University in the global system. Through joint programmes with partner universities, the selection of strategic collaborations and the expansion of the range of programmes taught in English, the University aims to improve the solidity, comparability and recognition of its degree programmes, attracting students from countries with a strong demand for higher education.
The governance of rankings requires overcoming fragmented approaches, through stable and integrated coordination of processes, oriented towards continuous improvement and widespread responsibility, to make international positioning the result of consistent and monitored activities over time.
Reputation among academics and employers is a strategic lever for global positioning and is built through coordinated initiatives that strengthen scientific visibility, institutional recognition and professional credibility, with a decisive role played by the quality of teaching and student experience.
The expansion and improvement of services for international students (inbound mobility) represent a central aspect for internationalisation and require consitent presence throughout the entire student experience. The enhancement of the Internship & Placement service and the internationalisation of postgraduate programmes, particularly for international PhD students, strengthen employability and attractiveness, contributing to an integrated ecosystem of services.
The enhancement of services and international mobility for students, faculty and technical-administrative staff (outbound mobility) is a structural lever to strengthen the global profile of the University and the quality of academic and organisational activities.
The alignment with the AACSB accreditation standards for the Faculty of Economics and Law is aimed at strengthening its global positioning and promoting the continuous improvement of governance, teaching, research and faculty development processes. The eligibility application submission of the School of Banking, Finance and Insurance is part of a vision aimed at extending the accredited quality of the University.
The consolidation of the EFMD accreditation for the Graduate Degree Programme in Management is a priority to ensure internationally recognised quality standards. The University will also evaluate further EFMD accreditations and the launch of the AMBA accreditation process, with the aim of achieving the "Triple Crown" of international accreditations.
The promotion of faculty and students mobility to and from Africa is a strategic lever to strengthen the academic and cultural dialogue between Europe and Africa, affecting the quality of education, the development of intercultural skills and the establishment of institutional relations. The aim is also to promote the retention of young people trained in their countries of origin, through two-way and impact-oriented mobility.
Support for projects and partnerships with African institutions, in the fields of research, training and innovation, strengthens the University's role in shared development and in the construction of international networks. The consolidation of collaborations with Italian and European universities promotes participation in international projects and access to competitive funding, in a framework consistent with global agendas for sustainable development.
