On 9th May 2025, an intensive seminar was organized by the University Language Centers of UNIBS and UNITO in Brescia. The event was held under the patronage of AICLU (Italian Association of University Language Centers) and CEL/ELC (European Language Council) and in collaboration with LinE (Language in Education).
The academic debate, which was conducted throughout the day, focused on the 21st-century university, which is increasingly oriented toward international and multilingual dimensions. The following themes were addressed: languages and internationalization in Italian universities, intercomprehension, and English Medium Instruction.
Following the institutional greetings from the Rector, Professor Francesco Castelli, and from the UNITA Coordinator for the University of Turin, Professor Alessandra Fiorio Pla, the audience was offered the opportunity to listen to a series of insightful contributions from esteemed scholars. These contributions were delivered by Professor Monica Barni (Sapienza University of Rome) and Professors Elisa Corino, Sandra Garbarino, and Alessandra Molino (University of Turin).
The seminar concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring Professor Marie-Berthe Vittoz (CLA – University of Turin), Professor Annalisa Zanola (CLA – University of Brescia), and three students from UNIBS. These students had the opportunity to apply intercomprehension techniques in the field during the BIP Intercomprehension for Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) organised by the University of Timișoara (UVT).
The initiative, which was officiallyinaugurated in Brescia, is scheduled to continue during UNITA Week, which is to be held at the University of Turin on 16–17 September 2025.