HomeNews„‚International Staff Training Days‘ increase our quality of consulting of exchange students“ – A conversation with Trudi Ackermann

„‚International Staff Training Days‘ increase our quality of consulting of exchange students“ – A conversation with Trudi Ackermann

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrated by the University of Liechtenstein in 2011, 25 International Office managers and staff from six European partner universities convened for the first “International Staff Training Days” at Vaduz Campus from May 18 to 20, 2011.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrated by the University of Liechtenstein in 2011, 25 International Office managers and staff from six European partner universities convened for the first “International Staff Training Days” at Vaduz Campus from May 18 to 20, 2011. Trudi Ackermann, Head of the International Office at the University of Liechtenstein, looks back on the three-day event, which was supported by the Erasmus Lifelong Learning Programme.

International Fair
Presentation of partner universities: students and staff of VAMK University of Applied Sciences in Vaasa/Finland at the University of Liechtenstein's 'International Fair' .

Networking
Networking: "International Office" staff meets the Ambassador of Colombia (from left: Mirjana Matic-Schädler, Claudia Turbay Quintero / Colombia, Trudi Ackermann, Gabriela Cortés)

Trudi, which key objective did you pursue with the ‘International Staff Training Days’?

“We aimed to achieve an exchange of ideas and best practices regarding the international mobility of students, to enlarge the participants’ professional network and to offer hands-on learning experiences. By applying an integrated approach, we complemented the exchange of know-how on professional topics with some cultural experiences as well as insights into Liechtenstein’s economy. Some programme highlights were a classic concert with a welcome address by Prince Nikolaus and a guided tour at Hilti Corporation in Schaan.”

How does the University of Liechtenstein benefit from this event?

„The ‘International Staff Training Days‘ can increase the quality we provide in consulting exchange students – both incoming and outgoing – and develop our competences through benchmarking with partner universities.”

And how does the University of Liechtenstein perform in this respect?

„In comparison with significantly larger universities, employees of other international offices perceive us as ‘very personal’ and we received excellent feedback regarding our efficiency, the inspiring atmosphere and our campus.”

What’s next?

„I am convinced that we have to position the University of Liechtenstein as one of the country’s spearheads in internationalization and ((international??)) networking. Future ‘Staff Training Days’ should continue to support this objective. We are striving to achieve this objective and highly appreciate the feedback from participants, who see the University of Liechtenstein as ‘perhaps the most international University in Europe’.”

Thank you for your time!