Category: International

From 15 to 19 June 2026, AANT took part in the 4th International Week “Internationalization at Home – Everyone can Make a Difference” in Valencia, hosted by Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera as part of the BIP IWeek programme.

AANT was represented by Federica Stortiero, Head of the Education Office, and Gaspare Talarico, IT Manager, during a week of training, exchange and international dialogue focused on the role of internationalization in contemporary higher education.

The programme brought together professionals from different countries and institutions, creating a space for exchange among academic, administrative and technical staff. The activities focused on the concept of internationalization at home, the development of more open and inclusive university environments, the sharing of good practices and the implementation of concrete tools to strengthen the international dimension within higher education institutions.

Throughout the week, participants attended training sessions, workshops and networking activities dedicated to topics such as inter-university cooperation, the COIL for Staff model, intercultural communication, participatory culture and the transversal skills needed to work in international contexts.

AANT’s participation, through two profiles connected to complementary areas such as academic services, quality, information systems and digital support, offered a cross-functional perspective on internationalization. It was an opportunity to gather new insights, share experiences and build relationships with professionals and institutions across Europe and beyond.

Internationalisation is built through dialogue, the exchange of expertise and the development of new academic networks. With this spirit, AANT took part in the Erasmus International Staff Week, organised by VERN’ University in Zagreb. Held from 15 to 19 June, the international event brought together lecturers, researchers and professionals from numerous European higher education institutions to discuss the challenges of higher education, innovation and international cooperation.

Representing the Rome-based Academy were lecturers Alessandro Alfieri and Massimo Valente, who participated in a programme focused on the exchange of best practices, the exploration of innovative teaching approaches and the development of future collaborations within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme.

Among the highlights of the event, Massimo Valente delivered the lecture “Space as a Silent Teacher: Interior Design, Perception and Learning Experience”, reflecting on the role of space as an active component of the educational process. Through an analysis of learning environment design, perception and students’ experiences, the lecture demonstrated how architecture and spatial design can become powerful tools for fostering engagement, creativity and high-quality teaching.

The International Staff Week at VERN’ University was designed to encourage dialogue among European higher education institutions by promoting the exchange of innovative methodologies, the integration of new technologies into education and the development of long-lasting international partnerships. Under the theme “Connect, Collaborate, Create”, the programme combined workshops, seminars and networking opportunities, contributing to the growth of an increasingly open, collaborative and internationally connected academic community.

From 11 to 15 May, Professor Cristian Sammarco, lecturer at AANT, was a guest of IPCA – Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave in Barcelos, Portugal, as part of an academic exchange experience dedicated to the dissemination of design culture and international dialogue on design-related topics.

The professor carried out teaching activities for students at the Portuguese institution through two seminar lectures and several project review and discussion sessions focused on work developed within the courses. 

The programme explored some of the most significant themes in the history of Italian design. On 12 May, he delivered the seminar “Vico Magistretti. An Italian Architect”, dedicated to the renowned Milanese architect and designer and his contribution to the development of contemporary design. On 15 May, he presented the lecture “Radical Architecture and Design in Italy”, which examined the experiences of Italian Radical Architecture and Radical Design during the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting their cultural legacy and their influence on the international design discourse.

The initiative represented an important opportunity for exchange between students and faculty members from both institutions, strengthening dialogue between different educational contexts and fostering a shared reflection on the history, theory, and practice of design.

From April 27 to 29, AANT took part in the International Days hosted by the Artevelde University of Applied Sciences in Ghent, Belgium, as part of the Erasmus activities dedicated to international exchange among students, lecturers and European academic institutions.

Representing the Rome-based Academy was Valerio Di Paola, lecturer and coordinator of the Diploma course in Videomaking, Story, Cinema and Media Design, invited by the Department of Communication, Media and Design of the Belgian university to deliver the lecture and workshop “Populism on Screen: Cinema, TV and AI-driven Communication”.

The event offered a reflection on the relationship between audiovisual languages, political communication and generative artificial intelligence, exploring how cinema, television series and advertising contribute today to the construction of collective imagination and dynamics of consensus. Through examples drawn from contemporary visual culture, the workshop examined the growing role of entertainment within political narratives and the impact of AI on communication processes in the post-truth era, characterized by narrative fragmentation, hyperconnectivity and new forms of representation of identity and conflict.

The Erasmus experience in Ghent also provided an opportunity for international discussion around GeniaLAB, AANT’s research hub dedicated to the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital culture and design practices. The dialogue with students and lecturers from different European contexts opened new perspectives for research and collaboration on the ongoing transformations in visual communication, audiovisual culture and contemporary design.

From April 27 to 30, a group of students from AANT Academy’s Bachelor’s Degree programs in Art Direction, Advertising, and Graphic Design took part in the Blended Intensive Programme “Summer of Branding”, organized by Artevelde University of Applied Sciences in Ghent.

The experience involved Alessandro Arnold, Francesco Cimmino, Giorgia Sofia Fede, Giuseppe Maria Falso, Enrico Pezzali, Luca Porfirio, Nicolò Portarelli, Carlo Renato Popescu, Giulia Ragusa, and Viola Rinaldi, accompanied by lecturers Daniel Bedusa and Antonio De Falco.

During the intensive week, students collaborated with participants from partner European universities, working in international teams designed to encourage the exchange of different approaches, skills, and creative perspectives.

The core of the workshop focused on analyzing and reinterpreting selected locations in the city of Ghent through branding and visual communication tools. The project required direct observation, on-site research, and the ability to transform urban, historical, and cultural elements into contemporary visual narratives. Alongside the design activities, the programme included meetings with industry professionals, typography workshops, cultural visits, and moments of urban exploration, offering students an immersive experience within the creative landscape of the Belgian city. Activities also included a visit to Ghent’s Industry Museum and a workshop dedicated to letterpress printing, where participants experimented with analog processes and traditional composition techniques.

For the students of the Rome-based Academy, the BIP represented a valuable opportunity for international exchange, creative and professional growth, and the development of an increasingly open and collaborative design practice capable of connecting design, storytelling, and cultural identity.

From March 30 to April 3, a group of students from AANT – Academy of Arts and New Technologies took part in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences in Ghent, engaging in an international learning experience focused on creativity, collaboration, and experimentation.

The project involved Gaia Piersanti, Gaia Amoruso, Ludovica Petrella, Aurora Iodice, Elena Costantini, and Giulia Zamboni, accompanied by professors Luana Fedele and Alessandra Reggiani. In a dynamic and multicultural environment, the students worked alongside international teams to explore the narrative and communication potential of some of Belgium’s major cities: Ghent, Ostend, and Antwerp.

At the core of the experience were city marketing and storytelling applied to urban contexts: participants analyzed cultural identities, historical heritage, and contemporary atmospheres, transforming them into visual and multimedia narratives designed for a young audience.

Through the creation of content such as photo series, videos, and blogs, the students of Interior & Product Design e Videomaking, Story, Cinema e Media Design developed advanced creative storytelling skills, while also strengthening teamwork and strategic planning abilities. The programme concluded with the presentation of the projects to an expert jury, representing a key moment for professional feedback and critical development.

Beyond the academic dimension, the BIP offered an immersive experience within the Belgian urban landscape: train journeys between iconic cities, the discovery of lesser-known places, and direct observation of cultural dynamics enriched the creative process, turning each movement into a narrative opportunity.