Carlo Santoro| Internal and External Communication Ferrara, 10/06/2014 Focus Group A International Communication

Internal and External Communication

Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication Definition of International communication

… and much much more … and much much more …

Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication Definition of International communication

Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication How does it develop within a University Normally there are several offices dealing with international activities. Just a few examples: -International mobility office -International research office -Students and Phd careers office -International affairs -Language centre 12345

Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication How does it develop within a University A well organized university has a department including all this offices in ONE main shared structure, however it’s more likely to see the following situation: International Mobility Office Language Centre International Research Office

Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication How does it develop within a University Unfortunately working seperately takes to a lack of communication and most of the times it also: Slows down administrative procedures Increases the risk of missing important deadlines Doesn’t allow staff to be updated and informed Gives an idea of bad administration

Within the university it occurs often to be involved in international activities, for example dealing with International students, paying an invoice of a foreign company, hosting staff from all around the world (i.e. Erasmus STA). What happens most of the times is that this people or activities are redirected to an «international» office. Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication How does it develop within a University Should it really work in this way? Most of the times it wouldn’t even be necessary to involve other offices if there is a good communication and information strategy.

Probably problems would be easily solved with a really common tool, extremely useful but not always efficiently used: Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication How does it develop within a University There a no specific studies or analyses on this matter but I’m quite sure that at least a third of the requests forwarded/redirected to any international office could be dealed by other offices.

Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication Which are the most common ‘tools’ used Social networks Social networks Internet webpages Internet webpages Newsletters Newsletters Web platforms Web platforms Webinars or web conferences Webinars or web conferences

On the other side in order to further internationalize Universities, also cooperation tools have been used as: Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication Which are the most common ‘tools’ used BILATERALAGREEMENTS NETWORKS INTERNATIONAL JOINT PROJECTS

Internal and External Communication Internal and External Communication How to improve international communication skills

An idea could be to organize, in cooperation with a group of international Universities, a series of Staff training weeks.

ferrara/international-staff-training-week-iii-edition