1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your role at the University of Salerno?
My name is Tiziana Varani, and I work at the University of Salerno as an Administrative Officer within the Academic Staff Recruitment Office.
My office is responsible for planning, coordinating and managing the entire lifecycle of selection and recruitment procedures for academic staff and researchers at the University. In particular, my role involves managing the procedural process from the drafting and publication of calls for applications, through the appointment of selection committees and support for their establishment and activities, to the final approval of the proceedings, which precedes the signing of contracts and the commencement of service.
Throughout the process, I ensure that every administrative step complies with the complex and constantly evolving regulatory framework, both at national level and within the University.
2. What were the main motivations that led you to take part in a mobility period at a university within the NEOLAiA Alliance?
The NEOLAiA Project Management Committee selected me to participate in the activities of the HRS4R (Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) network.
I embraced this opportunity because I strongly believe in the value of international cooperation and in the development of a European Higher Education Area. The University of Salerno’s membership in the NEOLAiA Alliance has represented an exceptional opportunity for me to enhance my linguistic and intercultural skills, exchange experiences with colleagues from other European academic institutions, discover new working methods, and gain a better understanding of how processes similar to those we manage can be organised and implemented through different approaches.
At the same time, this experience has allowed me to contribute to strengthening the network of professional relationships within the Alliance and to fostering greater collaboration among its partner universities.
3. What activities did you carry out during your mobility, at which Alliance university, and which aspects of the experience did you find most interesting or useful for your work?
My mobility took place at the University of Tours in France in November 2024, where I participated in meetings and thematic workshops attended by colleagues from the partner universities of the NEOLAiA Alliance.
The most interesting aspect was the opportunity to compare the procedures adopted by the respective universities in relation to the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R). I found it particularly valuable to discover innovative solutions that could also be adapted and implemented within the operational context of the University of Salerno.
The informal moments of exchange also proved to be an important added value. They laid the foundations for new professional connections and further strengthened cooperation among the working groups of the Alliance’s partner universities.
4. How has this experience contributed to your professional and personal growth? Do you believe it has also had an impact on your daily work at the University of Salerno?
From a professional perspective, this experience allowed me to develop greater flexibility, improve my language skills, and gain a broader perspective on administrative work within the university context.
On a personal level, it was an extraordinary opportunity for cultural enrichment. In my day-to-day work, the experience has translated into a more open approach to change and into the ability to introduce procedural improvements inspired by the good practices I observed abroad.
5. Would you recommend this experience to your colleagues? If so, why?
Absolutely. I highly recommend this experience. It is a unique opportunity to challenge yourself and to grow professionally by stepping beyond the boundaries of your everyday work.
I believe the human aspect of the experience is equally important. Building relationships with colleagues from other countries makes you feel truly part of something bigger, showing that, beyond geographical distances, we are all part of one large European university community.
Taking part in a NEOLAiA mobility not only enhances the value of our role within the University, but also creates a direct network of international contacts that is essential for the collective growth and development of the University of Salerno.
