By: Abdulaziz Abeid

The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) is hosting Ms Fernanda Torre an administrative staff member at the Politecnico di Torino (Polytechnic University of Turin) in Italy under the Erasmus+ Mobility Programme, a European Union-funded initiative that promotes international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional development among higher education institutions. 

The visit marks another significant milestone in the growing partnership between TUM and Politecnico di Torino, reinforcing both institutions' commitment to internationalization, academic cooperation, and the sharing of best practices in higher education. 

During her stay at TUM, Ms.Torre will undertake a series of professional development and job-shadowing activities within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme is designed to provide an opportunity for the exchange of experiences and innovative approaches in student welfare, social inclusion, community engagement, and support services for vulnerable and disadvantaged students. 

As part of her engagements, Ms. Torre will interact with staff involved in student support services, community outreach programmes, student welfare initiatives, and the Centre for Religion, Conflict and Peace Building to learn about the University's approaches to fostering dialogue, peacebuilding, and social cohesion. She will also meet student leadership, coordinators of student associations, and campus support units to gain a deeper understanding of the organizational structures that promote student participation, collaboration, and inclusion within the University community.

In addition, she will also participate in training sessions and workshops focusing on counselling practices, social development programmes, mentorship initiatives, and support mechanisms aimed at enhancing the well-being and success of students from diverse backgrounds. The mobility programme will further provide a platform for the exchange of methodologies in managing social projects and mentoring programmes while exploring the digital and administrative tools utilized by TUM to coordinate student engagement and support services. 

The experience is expected to strengthen Ms. Torre's professional competencies in designing, coordinating, and evaluating social initiatives targeting refugee and vulnerable students at the Politecnico di Torino. It will also enhance her intercultural understanding, project management skills, and capacity to develop collaborative approaches with student associations and community-based organizations. 

Beyond professional development, the visit is anticipated to generate lasting benefits for both institutions through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and innovative practices. The engagement is expected to open new avenues for collaboration and contribute to the development of inclusive and student-centred support systems that respond effectively to contemporary social challenges. Torre's visit also includes engagements aimed at encouraging young women to explore scholarship opportunities and advanced studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines at Politecnico di Torino. The initiative seeks to inspire more women to pursue careers in engineering and related fields while promoting greater gender representation in postgraduate education. 

Torre further stated that, TUM's community-centred approach and commitment to engaging socially marginalized groups provide valuable insights that can contribute to the enhancement of student support programmes at her home institution. The exchange further aligns with the modernization and internationalization strategies of both universities by promoting mutual learning, strengthening international partnerships, and fostering more inclusive and globally connected academic environments. 

The visit is built upon the longstanding partnership between TUM and Politecnico di Torino under the Erasmus+ Credit Mobility Programme. Through this collaboration, students from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment (DABE) have participated in academic exchange programs at Politecnico di Torino, gaining valuable international exposure and enriching their educational experiences. The partnership aims to facilitate exchanges, strengthen research collaboration, and promote intercultural learning opportunities.