ITERSS originates from the collaboration between the International Relations and Study Abroad Service of USI and the International Office of SUPSI within the framework of targeted funding under the Equity program – Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion at all levels of higher education institutions. The two institutions combine expertise and services to promote access to tertiary education for people with an asylum background living in Italian-speaking Switzerland. Franklin University Switzerland participates as an external partner, contributing to the exchange of best practices and activities dedicated to personal development. The project is also part of the third mandate of USI and the third mission of SUPSI, actively contributing to the commitment of both institutions to dialogue with society, the promotion of social inclusivity, and the development of initiatives with direct impact on the region.

At the core of the ITERSS project is the development of a shared model aimed at the systematic integration of language measures, preparatory pathways, and academic support tools that take into account the challenges faced by participants and enable them to reach their full potential. The initiative aims to support more equitable access to higher education for people seeking asylum in Switzerland, enhancing synergies between the two institutions and improving academic guidance through structured collaboration with relevant cantonal services.

During the three-year funding period, activities will focus on consolidating preparatory pathways and academic support tools, while also integrating awareness-raising activities for academic and administrative staff on themes related to inclusivity.

Planned actions include Italian language courses, peer-to-peer activities to develop digital skills, learning coaching services, dissemination of multilingual informational materials, and initiatives that foster engagement in university life. These actions also contribute to promoting the international dimension of the institutions, fostering an inclusive and intercultural university environment. The project also includes a feasibility study to develop continuing education programs aimed at refugees with professional qualifications, improving their access to the labor market and contributing to strengthening the project’s sustainability beyond undergraduate and graduate education.

ITERSS represents a collaborative effort that promotes an inclusive approach to tertiary education and supports the development of a more open, accessible university system capable of representing the diversity of pathways and experiences that characterize contemporary society.