1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your role at the University of Salerno?
My name is Giuseppe Ferrara, I am 36 years old and I am from Cava de’ Tirreni. I studied Communication at the University of Salerno, where I obtained a Master’s degree in Theories and Techniques of Audiovisual Languages. After working for around ten years in journalism, collaborating with various newspapers, television newsrooms and local online publications, I was appointed to the University of Salerno in 2023 and assigned to the Quality Assurance Office. My current role involves overseeing activities related to the University’s accreditation and quality processes, supporting the work of the University Quality Committee and liaising on a daily basis with the quality officers of the departments, degree programmes and PhD programmes.
2. What were the main motivations that led you to take part in a mobility period at a university within the NEOLAiA Alliance?
One of the reasons I decided to take part in an Erasmus mobility period was my curiosity and desire to experience different working and academic environments. I knew about the programme and the activities of the Alliance, but I was particularly interested in understanding how another European university approaches and manages issues and procedures related to quality, comparing our working methods with their approach. I thought it would be a useful opportunity to collect new ideas and see solutions that, with the necessary adaptations, could be applied in our own university.
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?
I undertook an exchange programme at Örebro University in Sweden from 21 to 27 September 2025. During the week, I was supported by Örebro’s Quality Assurance Coordinator and had the opportunity to discuss matters with colleagues from various related departments at the Swedish university. Together, we explored their quality assurance system and the way in which they organise certain administrative activities relating to teaching and research, staff development, the methodological approaches used, and quality strategies in specific academic disciplines (such as economics and engineering) aimed at particular types of accreditation in Sweden. Among the aspects that struck me most were the direct discussions with colleagues, the emphasis on staff training, and certain models used in engineering courses, such as the CDIO. Seeing all this at first hand was far more useful than simply reading about it in a document.
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?
Yes, definitely. From a professional point of view, it has given me new insights and allowed me to see a different way of tackling the very issues I deal with every day. Some of these ideas have already become a topic for discussion and exchange with my colleagues. It was an important experience also on a personal level. Working for a week in an international setting takes you out of your routine, exposes you to different people and customs, and allows you to view your work from a broader perspective.
5. Would you recommend this experience to your colleagues? If so, why?
Absolutely. It’s an experience I’d recommend to anyone who has the chance. It’s not just a training opportunity, but also a way to engage with different academic and cultural environments and with different approaches to the work. It’s an opportunity to forge new professional relationships and return to the university with practical ideas to share with colleagues. I believe that experiences of this kind help people to grow, but also have a very positive impact on day-to-day work and, more generally, on the whole university.
