Webinar: Internships in the AUF network as a strategy in Italian universities to respond to the challenge of vocational integration

Webinar: Internships in the AUF network as a strategy in Italian universities to respond to the challenge of vocational integration

14 September 2021 09.30-11.00

The event takes place as part of the Tour du monde de la francophonie scientifique en 60hchrono, a cycle of conferences and presentations planned by the international organization Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) to celebrate 60 years since its founding. UNITO has been an associate member of AUF since 2009 and has recently been identified as its national reference and contact institution (POINT FOCAL).

The aim of the webinar is to highlight projects and good practices that facilitate the vocational integration of students and graduates, strengthening the link between training, skills development and the world of work, with positive effects both on the universities and on the territory. There will be a focus on the activities carried out in French-speaking countries.

Vocational integration and support for employment and entrepreneurship are key issues in today's economic, political and social context and represent strategic axes for many international organisations: the United Nations (2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), the European Union (European Employment Strategy, Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe funding programmes) and even the AUF itself, which includes the challenge of vocational opportunities in its 2021-2025 strategy. Current initiatives mainly concern support for mobility for training and traineeships, as well as cooperation between universities in the context of European Alliances, such as "UNITA - Universitas Montium", a project in which the University of Turin is the lead partner.

PROGRAMME

9.30 Introduction and presentation of speeches

Alessandra FIORIO PLA, Contact person of the “Point Focal” of AUF Italy and Institutional Coordinator for International Mobility (UNITO)

9.40 The DEFI 3R project (Renforcement, Réseau, Rayonnement)

The project aims at supporting the internationalisation of internship offers in the academic field. It is coordinated by UNITO in cooperation with the University of Genoa (UniGE) and the University of Aosta Valley (UniVdA).

Alessandra FIORIO PLA (UNITO), Elisa BRICCO - Director of the Department of Foreign Languages and Modern Cultures (UniGE), Teresa GRANGE - Head of the Chaire Senghor de la Francophonie (UniVdA)

10.00 The Maromizaha Research Centre (Madagascar)

The project focuses on preserving the rainforest for future generations, by highlighting its positive impact on the environment and the local economy through initiatives aimed to support employment and training. It is coordinated by UNITO with funding from the European Union and in collaboration with the Maromizaha Research Centre.

Cristina GIACOMA - Director of the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology,Rihana Ali AHMED ALI - Parc National Shisiwani - Anjouan - Comoros, Rose MarieRANDRIANARISON - Centre de recherche polyvalent de Maromizaha

10.20 The binational degree as a winning choice

The speech will present the work experiences of students and young graduates within the framework of the Italian-French binational degree between the Department of Languages of the University of Turin and the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3.

Maria Margherita MATTIODA - Referent for the binational degree in UNITO, Marie-Berthe VITTOZ, President of the University Language Centre CLA-UNITO

10.40 Presentation of the European Alliance UNITA - Universitas Montium

UNITA is a consortium of 6 universities, in which UNITO is the leader. These universities share the same values and objectives aimed at promoting the sustainable development of our societies and territories in a European perspective. Furthermore, UNITA supports innovation in the field of training and research, especially in the domains of renewable energies, preservation of cultural heritage, circular economy and bio-economy, and works in synergy with the development strategies of border areas to increase the possibilities of financing projects and career opportunities for young graduates.

Silvia DEMARCHIS - Academic contact person UNITA Office, Enrico GASTALDI - Research and Third Mission Directorate at UNITO

11.00 Conclusion