Governance

USI has established Pro-Rectorates in strategically important areas that require particular attention and dedicated resources. The Pro-Rectorate for Internationalisation is entrusted with managing and planning USI’s internationalization in line with the University’s strategic objectives. It operates on the conviction that international academic cooperation can actively contribute to the protection of peoples, the defense of human rights, and the promotion of peace.

Since March 18, 2024, the role of Pro-Rector has been held by Prof. Fabio Crestani.

The strategic objectives for the 2025–2028 period are described here: https://www.usi.ch/en/university/info/relint/international-relations/internationalization-strategy-goals

Go to the relevant page: International Relations Commission

USI has developed a strong network of relations with other Swiss universities as well as with numerous foreign institutions, establishing both institutional ties and scientific collaborations. These privileged agreements provide a favorable framework for the development of extended collaborations in teaching, research, and innovative projects.

• Strategic partnerships

At the international level, USI has privileged institutional ties with major universities in Lombardy, in particular with:

• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan

• Università degli Studi di Milano

• Università degli Studi Milano-Bicocca

• Politecnico di Milano

• Università degli Studi di Pavia

and with other Italian universities, such as:

• Università degli Studi di Perugia

• Università degli Studi di Pisa

In addition, USI has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing.
 

• Double degree and Joint degree agreements

The currently active agreements are as follows:

Faculty of Biomedical Sciences:

• Joint degree in Cognitive Psycology and Health Communication with Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan

Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society:

• Double degree at bachelor level (specialisation in Digital Culture and Technologies) with University of Pisa
• Joint degree at master level in European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication with Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan
• Double degree at master level in Digital Fashion Communication with Université Paris 1
• Double degree at master level in Lingua, letteratura e civiltà italiana with University of Verona and University of Rome, La Sapienza
• Double degree at master level in International Tourism/Food Industry Management with The University of Gastronomic Sciences, Pollenzo

Faculty of Economics:

• Double degree at master's level in International Economics and Policies with Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan
• Double degree at master's level in Economics with Università degli Studi Federico II, Napoli
• Jonit degree at master level in Public Management and Policy with Lausanne University and Bern University

Faculty of Informatics

• Double degree at master level in Computational Science with Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg/Lappeenranta-Lathi University/Università degli Studi di Bologna/Luxembourg University/Politecnico di Milano/Sorbonne University
• Double degree at master level in Informatics with Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca
• Double degree at master's level in Software and Data Engineering with Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca/Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso

• Accelerated Master Programme

This innovative type of agreement allows students enrolled in a four-year bachelor’s program at their home university to spend one semester at USI, attending selected courses from a specific master’s program. They then return to their home university to complete their bachelor’s degree. Thanks to this agreement, they can subsequently apply to the full master’s program at USI and complete it in one year (two semesters) instead of two, as the courses taken during their mobility will be recognized.
Partner university: Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico)
 

• Traditional Mobility Agreements

In addition to the above, USI has signed more than 110 traditional mobility agreements, enabling student and faculty exchanges. These can be consulted here.

Research-related agreements are managed by the Research Service, while internship agreements are handled by the Career Service.

Internationalisation is an integral part of USI’s identity. The projects, collaborations, and objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan of the Pro-Rectorate for Internationalisation, for the period 2025-2028 can be found here.

The Pro-Rectorate for Internationalisation put among its strategic objectives the development of measures of "Internationalisation at home". More details about this initiative can be found here.  

All editions of the "Come and go" newsletter, published by the Service, are available here.

The Annual Report is an account of the Service's activities. All annual reports are available here. 

The main statistical data on mobility are available at the following link: https://www.usi.ch/en/university/info/relint/exchange/figures

Throughout the year, the Service offers a rich calendar of events. Discover all the initiatives on the dedicated page and don’t miss the chance to take part.

News and updates from the world of USI’s international relations.

AN overview of the Service's team and the contact information are available here.