Internalizzazione del Dipartimento di Economia – Universita’ degli Studi di Perugia

Professor Marcello Signorelli, Director of the Department of Economics at the University of Perugia, shared the vision and strategies for the department’s internationalization. The international dimension of teaching and design skills have been increasingly strengthened over the last few years and constitute a strategic objective for the near future.

The department’s strategy to the internationalization process is an integrated approach that essentially involves two areas:

1. International projects financed by European funds (in particular Horizon) 
2. Internationalization of degrees for the recognition of double degrees 

The Director explains that, In line with these two strategic objectives, there is also a path to strengthen the organizational structure (project managers, experts in international design) to better support the internationalization program-

The target area is Europe and therefore both the funded projects and the agreements for the recognition of double degrees are developed with European partners. 

These two pillars of the internationalization project go in the direction of increasing the skills of students (also allowing them to have their degree recognized in the country with which there is an agreement) and in that of increasing the skills of researchers and professors by being able to share scientific experiences through funded projects.

The objective of the internationalization strategy is therefore to:

• Increasing the number of double degrees
• Increase the number of international research and cooperation projects funded by European funds
• Increase the level of quality and innovation of international research projects by also expanding the network of partners 

In consideration of the close connection that the department has in the local territory, the internationalization through the consolidation of the two strategies would also allow to have positive effects for the local companies and economic institutions that can benefit both on students with greater international skills and experience, and on the results of research projects on very current issues such as sustainable management,  the management of the digital and green transition.

Professor Signorelli concludes by stating that, in order to pursue the objectives, however, there are essentially two priority needs:

• Financial resources (which can be obtained both at national level and through international projects funded by the European Commission 
• Technical skills within the department for the management of the entire project cycle.  Therefore, project managers and technical staff are needed for the interception of opportunities, the construction of the partnership, the writing of projects, the technical coordination and the administrative management