How are the activities structured and what is their added value?

The activities are organised through two complementary formats, each offering students a different perspective on international collaboration. The project with Penn State University follows a hybrid model: students travel to the United States, usually in February, to launch the projects together, before continuing their work remotely throughout the semester. The activities then conclude with a final week in May, this year from 11 to 15 May, when the Penn State group comes to Lugano to complete the programme.

The initiatives with Virginia Tech mainly take place in Ticino. The university operates the Steger Center for International Scholarship in Riva San Vitale, which serves as a hub for its activities in Europe. Their students spend the semester in Ticino and work closely with SUPSI students in mixed teams, between Riva San Vitale and Lugano. Whenever possible, local stakeholders are involved as well, allowing students to work on concrete challenges and develop skills that can be directly applied in a professional context. Final presentations in Riva San Vitale also create opportunities to engage local authorities and the wider community.

How are these activities integrated into the study programme?

Although participation is optional, these activities are fully integrated into the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering curriculum as elective courses. They are designed with clear learning objectives and include formal assessment, just like any other module. This allows the international dimension to become a structured part of the educational path, ensuring consistency with the programme’s expected competencies while adding recognised professional value.

How important is language in these experiences?

Language plays a central role. All projects are carried out in English and give students the opportunity to practise communication in a real professional setting. This approach helps develop language skills in an accessible and continuous way, without necessarily requiring a full study-abroad experience. We see this dual “International at Home” offer as a unique opportunity for our students.

What is the value of international collaborations in education?

International collaborations are becoming increasingly strategic in a global context marked by strong interconnections between markets, technologies and skills, while at the same time growing political fragmentation. Working with international academic partners helps students develop competencies that are now essential, such as collaborating in distributed teams, adapting to different cultural contexts and managing complex projects. These experiences strengthen students’ professional profiles and prepare them to operate confidently in an increasingly demanding global job market.

*SUPSI and Virginia Tech students at the conclusion of the project activities carried out between Lugano and Riva San Vitale.