On 22 and 23 October 2026, the University of L’Aquila hosted the workshop “Communicating European Universities Alliances”, organised by AICUN (Italian Association of University Communicators). The event brought together communication and internationalisation professionals from Italian universities involved in European Universities Alliances, providing an opportunity to exchange experiences, share good practices and reflect on the challenges of communicating these new forms of transnational cooperation.
The workshop addressed the evolving role of communication within European Alliances, highlighting the need to move beyond simply providing information and develop strategies capable of fostering engagement and a sense of belonging among university communities. In this context, particular attention was given to the importance of building a shared identity and narrative for each Alliance, while preserving the distinctive identities of its member universities.
Another key topic was the coordination between communication activities at Alliance level and those carried out by individual universities. Strengthening cooperation between communication and internationalisation offices was identified as an important step towards ensuring consistent messaging and making the opportunities offered by European Alliances more visible and accessible.
The discussions also focused on student engagement. Students should not be regarded merely as recipients of information, but as active participants and protagonists in the life of the Alliances. This requires the use of appropriate language, communication channels and social media, as well as initiatives that encourage their direct involvement.
The programme featured contributions from several speakers, including Elena Consolini, Head of the International Relations Strategy Support Unit and Local Communication Lead for the Una Europa Alliance at the University of Bologna; Walter Zampieri from the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); Paolo Iabichino, advertising writer and creative director; and Michela Di Michele from the Communication and Social Media Office of the University of L’Aquila. The event also included contributions from AICUN President Gioia Grigolin and institutional representatives of the University of L’Aquila.
The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on how communication can contribute to strengthening the visibility, recognition and impact of European Universities Alliances, while encouraging the exchange of experiences and closer cooperation among the universities involved.
UNISA’s participation in the initiative, within the framework of NEOLAiA and its activities under Work Package 10 (WP10), reflects the University’s commitment to contributing to the development of effective communication strategies and to strengthening the engagement of its academic community in the European Alliance.
All photos of the event are available in our gallery.
