Success for the first International Relations Day of the University of Insubria: diplomats from 50 countries in Como

Full success on Friday, May 10 in Como for the first International Relations Day of the University of Insubria, promoted by Professor Giorgio Maria Zamperetti, delegate of the Rector to internationalization, and the University Commission for International Relations.

In the fifteenth-century Cloister of Sant'Abbondio diplomats from almost 50 countries arrived, welcomed by about sixty teachers and researchers from all departments, student representatives and numerous international students from Insubria, who were able to have a first informal discussion with the important guests during the initial networking coffee.

In a packed auditorium, after the greeting of the mayor of Como Alessandro Rapinese, opened the speeches Filippo La Rosa, deputy director general for public and cultural diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy to help the university world in building bridges of knowledge, peace and progress. He was echoed by Veronica Crego Porley, Dean of the Consular Corps of Milan and Lombardy, demonstrating the full willingness of the diplomatic corps you represent to convey the image of Insubria abroad and to support the University in its aspiration for further international growth.

In turn Alberto Novarese, vice president of Confindustria Como, and Giuseppe Rasella, councillor of the Chamber of Commerce of Como-Lecco, institutions who gave their contribution for the Day organisation , have explained to diplomats the aspects of excellence of the local business system, declaring themselves ready to collaborate with them and with the University for the development of an increasingly integrated and effective internationalization. Both emphasized the centrality of the Lombard territory, and insubres especially, as an engine not only of economic promotion but also of the development of the social, cultural and educational dimension.

A video message also came from Attilio Fontana, president of the Lombardy Region, who underlined the role of the University of Insubria as a place for meetings, ideas and visions in an international key; to the words of President Fontana was associated Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary with responsibility for International Relations of the Pirellone, who reminded the many missions of the Lombardy Region in which Insubria has participated and which have opened the way to important agreements, hoping that this fruitful collaboration will continue in the future.

Professor Zamperetti then presented the University to diplomats, first recalling its excellence in research, witnessed by 1400 research products published every year in peer-reviewed journalsreview and the ability to attract external funds amounting to tens of millions of euros; it also recalled the high level of internationalisation achieved in recent years with more than 200 new agreements signed with foreign universities, which have allowed a triplication of the flows of mobility of incoming and outgoing students and teachers. The rector’s delegate concluded by drawing the attention of diplomats on how the University of Insubria is in first place for internationalization among Lombard universities of its size in the annual Censis ranking.

The University has been told through  video «Insubria: the excellence close to you» trasmetted for the first time at this event and created specifically to promote the University internationally.  The video presented  the face of a Sri Lankan student, Deshani Pagoda, enrolled at the first year of Science of Linguistic Mediation in Insubria and who was present at the event. She received applause from the public.

The voice of the students was enriched with the speech of Marica Stoppani, President of the General Council of Students, who wanted to express the full satisfaction of the student body for the international mobility and training opportunities offered in recent years by the University.

The event ended with an appreciated performance by the Insubriae Chorus, which sang four songs including the «Gaudeamus igitur», the international anthem of university students.

The diplomats were then guided on a walk through the historic center of Como where they  could appreciate the beauty of its lake, famous in all the world, through a boat excursion, possible thanks to the beautiful sunny day.

Link to the promotional International video