Between October 28th and November 1st, 2024, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași hosted the International Staff Week event, named “Effective university’s strategy for a sustainable internationalisation”, organized by the University Marketing Department and the International Relations-Erasmus+ Department, within the International Relations Vice-Rectorate.
During these 5 days, TUIASI became a hub of cultural and linguistic diversity, where 23 representatives from academic communities and support staff from universities in 12 countries attended workshops, presentations, and social activities.
The event was designed to strengthen ties between universities in EU countries and those outside the European Union, to identify and explore the fundamental pillars of an effective strategy for sustainable internationalization, and to facilitate the exchange of best practices regarding English-taught study programmes.
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Eng. Irina Lungu, Vice-Rector for International Relations, who emphasized in her speech the importance of the cooperation between universities and the strengthening of international relations, the promotion of innovation and creativity in the development of English-taught study programs, and TUIASI’s role as a member of the INGENIUM Alliance of European universities.
To foster a deeper cultural understanding, guests embarked on a brief exploration of the Romanian language through a course on Romanian language and culture, followed by university presentations and social activities.
The presentations on the second day of ISW were particularly engaging and were followed by an interactive workshop, during which participants, supported by TUIASI facilitators, identified the most important pillars of higher education internationalization and analyzed the relevant aspects of each, including challenges and KPIs.
The city tour provided guests with a unique experience, taking them from the Rectorate of the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași to the Palace of Culture, along Stefan cel Mare Boulevard and to the National Theater, on Cuza Voda Street, and then to the Union Square, allowing them to immerse themselves in the historical atmosphere of Iași.
The discussions on the following day focused on key aspects of university’s internationalization, such as Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) mobilities, best practices, and challenges in developing sustainable English-taught programs. Erasmus+ coordinators from TUIASI faculties shared their experiences and created a space for dialogue and the exchange of best practices.
The next workshop placed a special emphasis on the INGENIUM Alliance, during which Mr. Jesus Daniel Santos, a key representative of the INGENIUM consortium and Institutional Coordinator of the INGENIUM Project at the University of Oviedo, and also the Alliance Coordinator, presented the success story and the pillars of the INGENIUM University’s cooperation model with stakeholders.
The following day’s workshop was centered around LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, a methodology designed to facilitate effective interactions among team members and adapted to address the challenges faced by international students. Participants demonstrated increased engagement in meaningful discussions on issues specific to higher education internationalization.
As a natural continuation, the subsequent workshop, titled “Student needs come first,” focused on identifying emotional needs, with applications in understanding student needs and fostering a supportive and encouraging academic environment.
The final day of the International Staff Week was dedicated to reflecting on the identified best practices and to continuing efforts to initiate new collaborations, ensuring the continuity of our internationalization endeavors.
