We Know It
Student mobility
Prof. Claudio BeccariSocrates Institutional Coordinator
OutlineOutline The Italian University education The Italian University education
schemescheme Interaction between the education Interaction between the education
scheme and the student mobilityscheme and the student mobility Mobility programsMobility programs Highs and Lows of our mobility Highs and Lows of our mobility
programsprograms ConclusionConclusion
Italian University Italian University Education SchemeEducation Scheme
European 3+2+3 Scheme: Italian European 3+2+3 Scheme: Italian implementationimplementation
Magistrale
Degrees awardedDegrees awarded
First level degree: First level degree: LaureaLaurea Second level degreeSecond level degree: : Laurea magistraleLaurea magistrale Third level degree: Third level degree: Dottorato di ricercaDottorato di ricerca First level continuing education degree: First level continuing education degree:
Master Universitario di primo livelloMaster Universitario di primo livello Second level continuing education degree: Second level continuing education degree:
Master Universitario di secondo livelloMaster Universitario di secondo livello
Meaning of Meaning of LaureaLaurea Short for the Latin phrase Short for the Latin phrase corona corona
laurea laurea laurel crownlaurel crown It indicates the laurel crown that was It indicates the laurel crown that was
worn by the new doctors after their worn by the new doctors after their dissertation in the first medieval dissertation in the first medieval universitiesuniversities
IEE motto: IEE motto: Lauream ferat qui meruitLauream ferat qui meruit Let him wear the laurel crown who deserved itLet him wear the laurel crown who deserved it
Meaning of Meaning of Laurea magistraleLaurea magistrale Since the word “Master” had already Since the word “Master” had already
been used for the continuing been used for the continuing education degrees, the second level education degrees, the second level degree could not be called “Master”degree could not be called “Master”
… … but again Latin comes handy and but again Latin comes handy and ““laurea magistralelaurea magistrale” is the Italian ” is the Italian equivalent of “equivalent of “laurea magistralislaurea magistralis” the ” the master’s laurel crownmaster’s laurel crown
Interaction between the education Interaction between the education scheme and the student mobilityscheme and the student mobility
With the old pre-European scheme With the old pre-European scheme we used to arrange student mobility we used to arrange student mobility only for students on the fourth or only for students on the fourth or fifth year of their curriculumfifth year of their curriculum
We considered them mature enough We considered them mature enough to face the difficulties of an to face the difficulties of an international experienceinternational experience
New scheme mobilityNew scheme mobility This is why, with very few This is why, with very few
exceptions, now we arrange mobility exceptions, now we arrange mobility programs only for second level programs only for second level students, Italian students who students, Italian students who already got the already got the laurea laurea degreedegree, or , or foreign students frequenting courses foreign students frequenting courses on the second level pathon the second level path
This is particularly handy for double This is particularly handy for double degree programsdegree programs
Incoming foreign students
0
200
400
600
800
Academic year: from 85/86 to 04/05
Num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
Incoming foreign studentsIncoming foreign students2004/052004/05
5% 6%7%
19%
0%25%
38%
MaghrebAfricaAsiaEast. EuropeNorth AmericaLatin AmericaWest. Europe
Latin American countriesLatin American countries
Outgoing Italian studentsOutgoing Italian students
050
100150200250300350400450
97/98 99/00 01/02 03/04
Academic year
Num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
Outgoing Italian studentsOutgoing Italian students2003/042003/04
3% 6%7%
8%
2%
14%
25%
35%
OthersAnglo-SaxonGermanic C.ScandinaviaEast. EuropeBENELUXIberiaFrance
Mobility programsMobility programs
We must distinguish between We must distinguish between Undergraduate student mobilityUndergraduate student mobility Graduate student mobilityGraduate student mobility
In general the undergraduate mobility In general the undergraduate mobility programs for our outgoing students programs for our outgoing students are very restricted.are very restricted.
Special programs for foreign Special programs for foreign undergraduate studentsundergraduate students
We accept foreign students on their We accept foreign students on their third year of the first level paththird year of the first level path
We We do not acceptdo not accept them only for them only for attending their internshipattending their internship
Up to now we accepted them for just Up to now we accepted them for just one semesterone semester
We have no double degree programs We have no double degree programs for undergraduate students, …for undergraduate students, …
… … except two degree courses where except two degree courses where all three years are part of a joint all three years are part of a joint program:program:
1.1. LIFI: LIFI: Laurea in Ingegneria Laurea in Ingegneria dell’informazione Franco–Italianadell’informazione Franco–Italiana Licence en Ingénierie Franco Italienne Licence en Ingénierie Franco Italienne [[Politecnico di TorinoPolitecnico di Torino andand Institut Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble]National Polytechnique de Grenoble]
2.2. Ingegneria della Produzione Ingegneria della Produzione [Politecnico di Torino[Politecnico di Torino, Centre Leonardo , Centre Leonardo de Vinci de Paris, de Vinci de Paris, Universitat Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya de BarcelonaPolitecnica de Catalunya de Barcelona, , University of Ashton]University of Ashton]
Mobility for our undergraduate Mobility for our undergraduate studentsstudents
Students of the faculties of Architecture Students of the faculties of Architecture are allowed to participate to unrestricted are allowed to participate to unrestricted undergraduate mobilityundergraduate mobility
Students of the faculties of Engineering Students of the faculties of Engineering frequenting in the non metropolitan frequenting in the non metropolitan campuses may participate to campuses may participate to undergraduate mobilityundergraduate mobility
Other undergraduate students of Other undergraduate students of Engineering may participate only to Engineering may participate only to special programsspecial programs
Special programs for our Special programs for our engineering undergraduate engineering undergraduate
studentsstudents The above mentioned two special The above mentioned two special
programs that rely on global programs that rely on global curriculum joint programs are the curriculum joint programs are the only ones available for our outgoing only ones available for our outgoing undergraduate studentsundergraduate students
We have them undergo a special We have them undergo a special selective procedure in order to chose selective procedure in order to chose the best and most motivated onesthe best and most motivated ones
French System of National French System of National Polytechnic Institutes (INP)Polytechnic Institutes (INP)
BAC
Nationale
INP - CPP
INP-T
INP-L
3 years2 years
Degre d’Ingenieur
Cycle Polytechnique Préparatoire
INP-G
The LIFI curriculumThe LIFI curriculum
France
Italy
1st year
1st year
2nd year1st sem.
2nd year1st sem.
2nd Year2nd sem.
3rd year1st sem.
3rd year2nd sem.
3rd year2nd sem.
Further Education Opportunities Further Education Opportunities after the LIFI Degreeafter the LIFI Degree
FRANCE ITALY
LIFI
ELN
INF
TLCLaurea
Magistr.
LIFI
ENSERG
ENSIMAG
TELECOM
ENSPG
Diplôme Ing.
ITC
2 years 2 years
Graduate student mobilityGraduate student mobility Graduate student mobility forms Graduate student mobility forms
the major part of our programsthe major part of our programs1.1. One semester of coursesOne semester of courses2.2. Two semesters of coursesTwo semesters of courses3.3. One semester courses plus one One semester courses plus one
semester for the master thesissemester for the master thesis4.4. Master thesisMaster thesis5.5. Two semesters of courses plus master Two semesters of courses plus master
thesis for double degree programsthesis for double degree programs
Special graduate student programsSpecial graduate student programs
Master of Science in Electrical Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering and Computer engineering jointly with the engineering jointly with the University of Illinois in ChicagoUniversity of Illinois in Chicago
Master of Science in Mechanical Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering jointly with the Engineering jointly with the University of Illinois in ChicagoUniversity of Illinois in Chicago• These degree courses require These degree courses require
approximately three semesters; they are approximately three semesters; they are taught completely in Englishtaught completely in English
22ndnd level degree in ITC level degree in ITC and EECS Master Degree UICand EECS Master Degree UIC
Laurea degree or equivalent
Two semesters of courses in English
1st level Italian Master
degree
One semester work for the Master Thesis
in English defended in Chicago
Two semesters of courses in English
Laurea Magistrale in ITC
Engineering
WORK
European postgraduate coursesEuropean postgraduate courses Joint master degree on Nano- and Joint master degree on Nano- and
micro-technologies [Politecnico di micro-technologies [Politecnico di Torino, INP-Grenoble, EPF-Lausanne]Torino, INP-Grenoble, EPF-Lausanne]
European Master degree (Erasmus European Master degree (Erasmus Mundus program) in Information Mundus program) in Information Technologies [Barcelona, Torino, Technologies [Barcelona, Torino, Louvain, Karlsruhe]Louvain, Karlsruhe]
……
European postgraduate coursesEuropean postgraduate courses …… 22ndnd level Master level Master UniversitarioUniversitario degrees in degrees in
Information and Telecommunication Information and Telecommunication Technologies: three different degree Technologies: three different degree courses, all taught in Englishcourses, all taught in English
One complete second level degree course One complete second level degree course in Information Technology completely in Information Technology completely taught in English leading to the taught in English leading to the Laurea Laurea MagistraleMagistrale degree degree
Micro- and Nanotechnologies Micro- and Nanotechnologies Master degreeMaster degree
Italy
(Turin)
France(Grenoble)
2nd semestercourses
1st semestercourses
Switzerland(Lausanne)
3rd semestercourses
Project work
Project work
Project work
Programs Programs One semester coursesOne semester courses Two semester coursesTwo semester courses One semester courses and one One semester courses and one
semester thesissemester thesis One semester thesisOne semester thesis Double degree: two semester Double degree: two semester
courses plus one semester master courses plus one semester master thesisthesis
45 double degree agreements 45 double degree agreements
America Latina 12
Spagna 6Francia 17
Svizzera 1Germania 2
Romania 1 UK 1
Different double degree Different double degree arrangementsarrangements
The double degree programs are our The double degree programs are our preferred programspreferred programs
They really offer foreign and Italian They really offer foreign and Italian student concrete possibilities of student concrete possibilities of intercultural educationintercultural education
The diplomas are automatically recognized The diplomas are automatically recognized by at least two countriesby at least two countries
Graduates may effectively exercise the Graduates may effectively exercise the European right of working (almost European right of working (almost everywhere) in Europeeverywhere) in Europe
Double degree schemesDouble degree schemes There are various constraints that may There are various constraints that may
cause the realization of these programs a cause the realization of these programs a little difficult:little difficult:• Obviously the different background and the Obviously the different background and the
different education systemsdifferent education systems• The semester purposes; in some countries the The semester purposes; in some countries the
last semester is totally dedicated to the final last semester is totally dedicated to the final projectproject
• Some countries require that at least half of the Some countries require that at least half of the education time is spent in their universitieseducation time is spent in their universities
• Some countries may require an additional Some countries may require an additional semester for language requirementssemester for language requirements
Double degree schemesDouble degree schemes Most of our agreements (except those for Most of our agreements (except those for
which there is an overall agreement on the which there is an overall agreement on the complete degree course complete degree course Erasmus Erasmus Mundus European Master) require a Mundus European Master) require a curriculum one semester longer than the curriculum one semester longer than the normal master degree onenormal master degree one
The The +2+2 section of the European education section of the European education becomes becomes +2.5 +2.5 : two semesters of courses : two semesters of courses and one semester dedicated to the master and one semester dedicated to the master thesisthesis
Normally we do not accept the TIME Normally we do not accept the TIME projects that last more than projects that last more than 3 semesters3 semesters
Double degree schemesDouble degree schemes We developed around 25 different We developed around 25 different
schemes for coping with the various schemes for coping with the various constraints with different European constraints with different European or extra European universities for or extra European universities for outgoing and incoming students outgoing and incoming students respectivelyrespectively
I’ll show only a few samplesI’ll show only a few samples
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
INCOMING STUDENTSScheme n°1 EUROPE
See ListPOLITECNICO DI TORINO
•ÉCOLE POLITECNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
•TECNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DARMSTADT•UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE
CATALUNY A•UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID•INSTITUT NATIONAL POLY TECHNIQUE
DE GRENOBLE(ECOLE FRANCAISE DE PEPEPTERIE ET
DES INDUSTRIES GRAPHIQUES)•INSTITUT NATIONAL POLY TECHNIQUE
DE GRENOBLE(ENSIEG – ECOLE NATIONALE SUPERIEURE D’INGENIEURS)
•ECOLE SUPERIEURE D’ELECRICITE DE PARIS
•ECOLE NATIOANLE SUPERIEURE DE CHIMIE DE MONTPELLIER
•UNIVERSITAE POLY TEHNICA DIN BUCARESTI
• UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER•ECOLE D’ARCHITECTURE DE MARSEILLE
LUMINY•UNIVERSITE MONTPELLIER II (ISIM)*
* Materials engineering only
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
4th year
5th year
DEGREE
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
Suppl. Semester
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
INCOMING STUDENTSScheme n°2 EUROPE
See ListPOLITECNICO DI TORINO
•UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNIA – ESTEB ( INGENIERIA
QUIMICA)•INSTITUT NATIONAL POLY TECNIQUE DE GRENOBLE – DEP. TELECOMMUNICATIO,
ELECRONIQUE ETC1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
4th year II sem
5th year I sem.1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
5th year II sem.
4th year I sem.
Suppl. semester
DEGREE
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
INCOMING STUDENTSScheme n°6 EUROPE
KUNGL TEKNISKAHÖGSKOLAN
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Suppl. Semester I
Suppl. Semester II*
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1st year 2nd year 3rd year DEGREE 1st year 2nd year 3rd year
* Only in case of further language requirements
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
OUTGOINGScheme n°1 EUROPE
See ListPOLITECNICO DI TORINO
•ÉCOLE POLITECNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (TO BE RENEWED)
•TECNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DARMSTADT (TO BE RENEWED)
•UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE CATALUNY A (TO BE RENEWED)
•UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID (TO BE RENEWED)
•INSTITUT NATIONAL POLY TECHNIQUE DE GRENOBLE (TO BE RENEWED)
(ECOLE FRANCAISE DE PEPEPTERIE ET DES INDUSTRIES GRAPHIQUES)
•ECOLE SUPERIEURE D’ELECRICITE DE PARIS (TO BE RENEWED)
•ECOLE NATIOANLE SUPERIEURE DE CHIMIE DE MONTPELLIER (TO BE
RENEWED)•UNIVERSITAE POLY TEHNICA DIN
BUCARESTI• UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER (TO BE
RENEWED)•ECOLE D’ARCHITECTURE DE MARSEILLE
LUMINY•UNIVERSITE MONTPELLIER II (ISIM)*
(TO BE RENEWED)* Materials engineering only
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
4th year
5th year
DEGREE
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
Suppl. Semester
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
OUTGOINGScheme n°2 EUROPE
See ListPOLITECNICO DI TORINO
•UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNIA ( INGENIERIA QUIMICA-
SECOND SCHEME))•INSTITUT NATIONAL POLY TECNIQUE DE GRENOBLE – DEP. TELECOMMUNICATIO,
ELECRONIQUE ETC•INSTITUT NATIONAL POLY TECHNIQUE
DE GRENOBLE(ENSIEG – ECOLE NATIONALE SUPERIEURE D’INGENIEURS)
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1 SEMESTRE
2 SEMESTRE
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
4th year II sem
5th year I sem.1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
5th year II sem.
4th year I sem.
Suppl. semester
DEGREE
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
OUTGOINGScheme n°6 EUROPE
KUNGL TEKNISKAHÖGSKOLAN
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Suppl. Semester I
Suppl. Semester II*
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1ST Semester
2ND Semester
1st year 2nd year 3rd year DEGREE 1st year 2nd year 3rd year
* Only in case of further language requirements
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
We are very satisfied that a large We are very satisfied that a large number of foreign students have the number of foreign students have the possibility of studying here; some of possibility of studying here; some of them eventually decide to remain, at them eventually decide to remain, at least some years, in order to work least some years, in order to work here; some of them continue their here; some of them continue their education on the third level, the education on the third level, the Doctorate.Doctorate.
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
We are also very glad that many of We are also very glad that many of our students have the opportunity of our students have the opportunity of studying abroad so as to enlarge studying abroad so as to enlarge their views, learn new languages, their views, learn new languages, and appreciate other countries and appreciate other countries education systems and ways of life. education systems and ways of life. Some continue with their doctorates Some continue with their doctorates and some remain working abroad.and some remain working abroad.
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
These were actually the goals that These were actually the goals that the European Commission had in the European Commission had in mind when first set up the Socrates mind when first set up the Socrates programsprograms
These are also the goals of the These are also the goals of the institutions that made reciprocal institutions that made reciprocal agreements with extra European agreements with extra European countriescountries
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
The lows are mostly due to bureaucratic The lows are mostly due to bureaucratic issues in spite of the excellent work done issues in spite of the excellent work done by the staff and the professors involvedby the staff and the professors involved
1.1. Education systems are different even at the Education systems are different even at the high school level: Italy, Switzerland, Austria high school level: Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany have a 13-year primary and and Germany have a 13-year primary and secondary education, while most other secondary education, while most other countries have a 12-year system, and some countries have a 12-year system, and some even 11- o 10-year systems. The even 11- o 10-year systems. The backgrounds of the enrolling university backgrounds of the enrolling university students are necessarily very differentstudents are necessarily very different
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
2.2. The compulsory education not necessarily The compulsory education not necessarily coincides with the complete duration of the coincides with the complete duration of the primary and secondary schools; for example primary and secondary schools; for example in Italy school is compulsory only for 10 in Italy school is compulsory only for 10 years, but the secondary education allowing years, but the secondary education allowing enrollment in the university lasts 3 more enrollment in the university lasts 3 more years; this implies that the last three years of years; this implies that the last three years of the secondary school are by definition “not the secondary school are by definition “not for everybody’’ and there exists a moderate for everybody’’ and there exists a moderate selectionselection
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
3.3. In principle the Austrian, German, In principle the Austrian, German, Italian, and Swiss students should have Italian, and Swiss students should have less general education in university, less general education in university, since they had more in high schoolsince they had more in high school
4.4. And this is what really happens; in And this is what really happens; in facts the university curricula in these facts the university curricula in these countries contain more professional countries contain more professional courses and less general education courses and less general education onesones
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
5.5. The traditions of some countries are The traditions of some countries are such that the 3+2+3 scheme hardly such that the 3+2+3 scheme hardly will be ever adopted. will be ever adopted.
• For example the For example the Grands EcolesGrands Ecoles system is system is based on the 2+3+3 scheme, where the based on the 2+3+3 scheme, where the first two years are done outside the first two years are done outside the university, in the university, in the classes préparatoiresclasses préparatoires
• As we have seen, also the As we have seen, also the Instituts Instituts Nationaux PolytechniquesNationaux Polytechniques are based on a are based on a 2+3+3 system2+3+3 system
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
6.6. The different time schedules for The different time schedules for courses and exams make student courses and exams make student mobility a little difficult; in Sweden mobility a little difficult; in Sweden courses start just after the middle courses start just after the middle of August, while in Italy they may of August, while in Italy they may start even by the middle of October start even by the middle of October (by the middle of September in our (by the middle of September in our PolitecnicoPolitecnico))
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
7.7. In Italy we have from three to five In Italy we have from three to five examination periods; one of these examination periods; one of these periods occupies the time from the periods occupies the time from the end of summer vacations (August) end of summer vacations (August) to the beginning of the fall to the beginning of the fall semestersemester
8.8. In some countries, among which In some countries, among which Italy, exams may be repeated at Italy, exams may be repeated at will (but only once per session)will (but only once per session)
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
9.9. Even some terminology is Even some terminology is confusing: confusing:
• Industrial engineering Industrial engineering means different means different things in different countriesthings in different countries
• Information technologyInformation technology is sometimes is sometimes confused with confused with Computer scienceComputer science
• ArchitectureArchitecture may imply something may imply something very similar to very similar to Civil or Building Civil or Building EngineeringEngineering
• Et cetera…Et cetera…
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
10.10. Due to different timings and Due to different timings and different bureaucratical procedures different bureaucratical procedures for recording the exams and for recording the exams and producing the transcripts of grades producing the transcripts of grades there might be delays for the there might be delays for the validation and accreditations of the validation and accreditations of the exams passed abroadexams passed abroad
11.11. Let’s not speak of the different Let’s not speak of the different grading systemsgrading systems
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
12.12. The ECTS credit system is not The ECTS credit system is not adopted everywhere, and even adopted everywhere, and even where it is, the word where it is, the word creditcredit has has different meaningsdifferent meanings
13.13. The ECTS grading system is even The ECTS grading system is even less adopted, but even where it is, less adopted, but even where it is, the percentages of the various the percentages of the various populations are computed in populations are computed in different waysdifferent ways
Highs and Lows Highs and Lows of our mobility programsof our mobility programs
I would not insist on these topics; I believe I would not insist on these topics; I believe that these problems may be overcome that these problems may be overcome with good will and with a lot of open-with good will and with a lot of open-mindednessmindedness
Sometimes it’s even necessary to tweak Sometimes it’s even necessary to tweak the law…the law…
We all are obliged to do our best in order We all are obliged to do our best in order to have our Parliaments modify the to have our Parliaments modify the legislation so as to make it work in favor of legislation so as to make it work in favor of the internationalization of our students the internationalization of our students and our universitiesand our universities
ConclusionConclusion I am very glad that this meeting I am very glad that this meeting
allowed us to compare our mutual allowed us to compare our mutual systems of university education, our systems of university education, our practice of managing our student practice of managing our student mobility, our difficulties in assessing mobility, our difficulties in assessing our student achievementsour student achievements
I hope the rest of this meeting brings I hope the rest of this meeting brings useful results for everybodyuseful results for everybody