Double Degrees: A Pathway to Global Competence and Enhanced Employability
Double Degrees are gaining recognition and popularity in universities worldwide, providing students with the opportunity to broaden their perspectives, develop cross-cultural communication skills, and enhance their employability in a globalized economy.
These programs offer an integrated curriculum between two partner universities, enabling students to study in two different countries and earn two separate degrees from two different higher education systems. This academic experience has numerous benefits, including the development of cross-cultural communication skills, intercultural competence, and a competitive edge in a globalized job market.
From a higher education perspective, collaboration among universities is key to creating a shared knowledge base, advancing research, and providing an academic offering with recognized quality. Double Degrees are becoming increasingly prevalent in higher education as institutions around the world acknowledge the significance of incorporating them into their academic offerings.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy is at the forefront of this trend, offering an exceptional academic journey that exemplifies the essence of higher education today. The university offers a wide range of Double Degree programs and collaborates with more than 40 top institutions worldwide, providing students with exposure to different cultures, languages, academic systems, and employment opportunities.
For example, in a groundbreaking move in 2019, Università Cattolica established a pioneering Double Degree partnership with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, marking the first-ever recognized Double Degree program in Medicine and Surgery between the European Union and the United States. Additionally, Università Cattolica formed collaborations with the University of Western Australia and Boston University, enabling students to pursue a Master of Science degree in Management and earn a valuable Double Degree qualification while doing so.
Professor Stefano Baraldi, the former coordinator of the Master of Science in Management at Università Cattolica, highlights the value of Double Degree agreements for higher education institutions. "It was an opportunity for us to work collaboratively with international partners to develop and design educational programs at our respective universities. We asked ourselves: what are the objectives we want to achieve with these programs, what approaches should we take in designing and delivering them, what makes these programs unique, and how can we use e-learning technologies to enhance the learning experience?"
Professor Baraldi also emphasizes the role of internationalization in EFMD Accreditation and how it has contributed to the recognition of degree programs. He believes that implementing a genuine international development strategy requires embracing the logic of global competition, with accreditation being one aspect of this. In 2022, the Master of Science in Management at Università Cattolica received the EFMD Accreditation for five years, recognizing the excellence of this degree program.
The success of Double Degree programs at Università Cattolica exemplifies the significant impact they can have on learning mobility and cooperation. As a result of integrating Double Degree programs, the university has experienced a 90% increase in domestic students who participate in international Double Degrees at one of the partner institutions and an 80.4% increase in international students who choose to study at Università Cattolica. Double Degree agreements have created a diverse and international profile in classrooms and have allowed students to obtain two degrees by studying in a different context, benefiting significantly from personal and academic growth.
Moreover, Professor Baraldi highlights the dual benefits of Double Degree programs. Firstly, they serve as a valuable network for universities, facilitating collaboration and research among faculty members, which can boost the university's reputation and the overall quality of degree offerings. Secondly, Double Degree programs directly benefit students by preparing them for a globalized world, ultimately enhancing their employability.
Indeed, Double Degree programs are a significant factor for students when choosing their academic path, particularly in a world where more and more companies operate on an international scale. Guaranteeing a classroom with an international profile is a significant advantage. In this way, a Double Degree offers students an exceptional academic journey, preparing them for an interconnected world and enhancing their employability in a competitive job market. "The possibility of obtaining a Double Degree is a direct driver of choice," Baraldi says. "Over the last 10 years, during various Open Houses, more and more students have been asking for information about these types of programs," showing that the interest is growing, not only in higher education institutions but among students as well.
All in all, with collaboration among universities being key to creating a shared knowledge base, advancing research, and providing an academic offer with recognized quality, and for the inherent benefits it holds for students, it is no surprise that Double Degrees are becoming increasingly prevalent in higher education today.
This content was paid for and created by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.
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