MOVING ITALIANNESS - Promoting Innovation Capacity in the Higher Education System of Argentina and Italy Through an Action Scheme for the Mobility and Cooperation of University Students and Professors

• Original title: ProMOting innoVation capacity IN the hiGher Education System of Argentina and ITalia through an Action scheme for the MobiLIty And cooperation of UNiversity StudeNts and ProfESsorS (Moving Italianness)
• Coordinator: CUIA – Italian Interuniversity Consortium for Argentina
• Partner universities: University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, University of Bologna, University of Calabria, University of Florence, University of Messina, University of Molise, University of Naples “Federico II”, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Padua, University of Pavia, University of Teramo, University of Tuscia, University of Turin, Marche Polytechnic University
• Target area: Argentina
• UNIBO budget: €21,000

The Moving Italianness project aims to enhance the presence and quality of the Italian university system in Argentina, contributing to the development of the European Higher Education Area in line with the Bologna Declaration and major international policy frameworks. It also seeks to increase the appeal of Italian academic programmes in Argentina, promoting our university model as a reference in global higher education. The project is part of bilateral policies between Italy and Argentina in the field of academic, cultural and scientific cooperation, and aligns with the objectives set out by the European Union, the OECD, the UN 2030 Agenda and the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle.

Moving Italianness is structured around four interconnected strands, each designed to generate concrete and lasting impact:

The first strand, TNE Double/Joint Degree, promotes the creation of joint academic programmes between Italian and Argentine universities, with a focus on double degrees and co-supervised PhD programmes. The aim is to ensure a fair territorial distribution of cooperation initiatives, including institutions of varying sizes. To overcome structural differences between the two academic systems, the project will develop comparative frameworks, studies on degree recognition, and integration models for joint programmes and thesis co-supervision. Unlike other European countries, Italy does not yet have a formal framework in this area—this project seeks to address that gap.

The second strand, TNE Professors/Researchers, supports the mobility and cooperation of teaching staff and researchers involved in projects of shared scientific interest. These exchanges will strengthen the European Education and Research Area, fostering the development of new international partnerships and consolidating existing networks between Italian and Argentine institutions.

With the TNE Students strand, the project aims to attract talented Argentine students to Italian degree programmes, while also promoting opportunities for Italian students to study in Argentina. Participants will be able to attend classes, sit exams and earn credits, helping to progressively integrate the two academic systems in line with Italian Ministry of University and Research standards.

Lastly, the TNE Advanced Skills strand involves organising joint training activities in Italy and/or Argentina, depending on the context best suited to the learning objectives. These activities will involve lecturers from both countries and focus on knowledge exchange, professional development and innovation in the most relevant scientific and social fields.

All activities will be supported by an integrated digital information system, which will continuously monitor results using quantitative indicators and qualitative impacts. This will fuel a dynamic platform for reciprocal learning between Italy and Argentina.

Alongside CUIA and the participating Italian universities, the project benefits from the active involvement of 52 Argentine universities—testament to the strength of the transnational academic network built over the years.