Researchers

Valerio’s secondment experience:

He was seconded to UPTEC in Porto, Portugal, for one month, and here he shares his experience with us:

•  If you could provide one piece of advice to anyone thinking about doing a secondment, what would it be? 

I believe that secondments, like all international experiences, are fundamental in work and study paths but also as personal experiences. I believe that if you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in cultural contexts different from yours, it is always a challenge that must be accepted.

• What is something new that has been embedded into your approach to your research as a result of your secondment, how has the secondment impacted your research? 

Interacting with foreign environments always provides extra skills, at professional and personal level. I’m not referring only to my personal secondment, but also to the network of which my university is part and which brings foreign researchers to my workplace.

• Can you give us an example of a tangible knowledge transfer / exchange that took place during your secondment? 

During my secondment I understood better how a start-up incubator works and what it offers to its clients, in terms of services and relationships. The secondment has helped me in being in contact with incubator management and with the management of some incubated companies  

• What was the most valuable aspect of your secondment? 

The fact that my university is part of an international research network, which I consider fundamental in my academic career.