Virtual Exchange and blended mobility
Virtual Exchange is an innovative and accessible international experience that does not involve physical mobility, but relies on the support provided by technologies and the use of a lingua franca as a means of communication.
It consists of a learning activity, organised in synergy with international universities, in which face-to-face/traditional teaching plays only a marginal role, in favour of a collaborative experience centred on the student and group work, with the aim of developing a shared project and/or discussing interdisciplinary topics, according to a challenge-based approach.
The groups, made up of students from different institutions, meet on remote collaboration platforms independently or with the support of facilitators, whose role is to encourage the active participation of all group members, fostering the creation of a positive and collaborative environment for discussion.
Virtual Exchange therefore differs profoundly from virtual mobility, which instead consists of attending classes delivered remotely (in synchronous or asynchronous mode) by lecturers from the host university, which will also award the academic credits at the end of the course.
Blended mobility programmes consist of international educational activities that combine virtual collaboration and a short period of physical mobility, offering “challenge-based” activities. The main objective is to promote the development of transversal and intercultural competences, as well as relational, collaborative and teamwork skills.
The duration depends on the specific course and ranges from a few weeks to a whole semester.
All students of the University of Padua who meet the entry requirements set out in the specific call for applications may take part in the project.
In general, it is necessary to:
- have access to a computer with an internet connection
- have a good command of the working language (usually English)
- be willing to step outside your comfort zone
It is therefore not necessary to have the physical, time and/or financial means to travel to another university.
Virtual Exchange is an experience that enables participants to:
- develop and strengthen transferable skills, which are increasingly in demand in the world of work (the ability to work in groups and with people from different cultural backgrounds, the ability to communicate in a foreign language, learning different communication styles, and the ability to adapt one’s communication to the specific interlocutor and cultural context)
- develop and strengthen their global identity, learning to understand diversity as a value
- explore interdisciplinary topics in greater depth, which would otherwise not be addressed during the traditional course of study
- develop digital skills, especially those relating to remote interaction and group work on sharing platforms
- prepare for physical mobility, helping to avoid culture shock and improve integration in the host country
- make new friends
- step outside their “comfort zone”
There are various forms of recognition for participation in Virtual Exchange projects.
If the course is included in the academic programmes of the University of Padua, credits are awarded as:
- elective credits (with mark/pass), within or outside the study plan
- restricted credits, if included within the course of the relevant teaching staff member
- traineeship
If the course is included in the academic programmes of the foreign university, the credits may be recognised according to the procedures for the recognition of credits earned abroad.
If the course is not included in the academic programmes, students may be issued with an Open Badge.
Students are always advised to check in advance for any limitations and rules relating to their degree programme. In case of doubt, they should contact the President of their degree programme or the President's delegate for confirmation.
Arqus MoVEs is a virtual exchange programme designed as a pre-mobility project.
The initiative is aimed at:
- Students preparing to undertake an international mobility experience in the spring/summer semester of the 2026/2027 academic year;
- Students who have not yet completed a study period abroad but wish to open themselves up to an intercultural and multilingual context.
The project brings together participants with different academic backgrounds, cultures, languages, ages and time zones, promoting exchange and cohesion within the Alliance.
The Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) are a new funding scheme under the Erasmus+ Programme. They consist of international teaching activities that combine virtual collaboration and a short physical mobility period, offering “challenge-based” activities. Blended Intensive Programmes must award at least 3 ECTS credits to students.
NICE is a virtual exchange programme aimed at all students at the University of Padua. It is structured into 7 teaching modules with the objective of promoting the development of transversal skills, in particular entrepreneurial and intercultural skills, relationship-building and collaboration skills, teamwork skills, and a problem-solving approach, with the aim of fostering professional growth and entry into the world of work.
Students will work both individually and in interdisciplinary and multicultural groups with the objective of reaching the solution to an operational question (Global Challenge).
CVEinAI is a virtual exchange programme aimed at all students at the University of Padua. It is organised into 5 modules of synchronous and asynchronous activities, with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue and a critical approach to the topic of artificial intelligence.
Students will work both individually and in interdisciplinary and multicultural groups with the aim of reaching the solution to an operational question, together with peers from the other universities participating in the programme.
CliVEx is a virtual exchange programme aimed at all students of the University of Padua. It is organised over 10 weeks of synchronous and asynchronous activities, with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue on the topic of climate change.
Students will work both individually and in interdisciplinary and multicultural groups with the aim of reaching the resolution of an operational question (Climate Action Project), together with fellow students from the other universities participating in the programme.
Projects and Mobility Office
Lungargine del Piovego 1, 35131 Padua
email: virtual.exchange@unipd.it
