Study in Italy - Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

UCSC and ACU affix signatures in Milan

by Maria Strumendo

MILAN - A six year collaboration between Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) and one of Australia's top Catholic Universities has recently become the subject of a long term agreement of exchange and cooperation initiatives.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) has been looking to expand its international network, and with strong interests in Italy, talks of an agreement with UCSC began in September 2011 at the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC).

ACU Vice-Chancellor Greg Craven at UCSC Milan     campus

Since 2011, strong relationships were created and decisions were taken. But in order to formalize agreements, Professor Greg Craven, Vice-Chancellor Australian Catholic University, accompanied by Chris Riley, Executive Director International Australian Catholic University, made a special visit to UCSC Milan campus at the beginning of July to meet Franco Anelli, Deputy Rector Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and UCSC personnel. 

Wednesday, 4 July 2012 marked a special day for the two institutions, as Professor Greg Craven, together with Deputy Rector Franco Anelli, exchanged handshakes and signed the Memorandum of Understanding, and the Implementation Agreement for Student Exchanges.

The memorable occasion was also celebrated with Professor Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, UCSC Rector's Delegate for Internationalization, and Giancluca Samsa, Head Manager Outbound Programs UCSC International.

Professor Craven and Mr Riley confirmed that Australian students are very interested in studying in Italy and the pair look forward to sending and receiving students.

Professor Greg Craven (ACU) and Deputy Rector Franco     Anelli (UCSC)

"Australia is a young country so the exposure to culture and European civilization is attractive for our students especially on an educational platform," Professor Craven said.

One of the unique aspects for students studying at UCSC is the international and multicultural perspective.

"The idea that our students can take English-taught programs, whilst studying in Italy is a concept beyond the language unit perspective which allows for cultural exposure and really broadens learning," Chris Riley said.

Professor Greg Craven and Chris Riley also got a true taste of the city of Milan, which Professor Craven described as "a beautiful but quite secret city."

ACU was one of the first Australian universities to work with UCSC, and after years of collaboration, the two insitutions have finally signed an exchange agreement, which will take off as of September 2012.  

ACU has six campuses across Australia with approximately 23,000 students. The Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's) is the biggest campus and is home to around 8,000 students. Next year, ACU is expecting to host 25,000 students which will make it one of the largest native English speaking Catholic University in world.