International affairs
International affairs
The Universidad San Sebastián (USS) continues to enhance its global presence, expanding its reach in teaching, research, and community engagement through international networks. This ongoing effort integrates international, cultural, and global perspectives across all areas of the university, raising academic standards and aligning with best practices in higher education worldwide.
A look towards the future
USS has set forth an ambitious Strategic Plan aimed at strengthening its academic programs with an interdisciplinary approach, providing comprehensive support to students and making internationalization a core pillar of both undergraduate and postgraduate offerings. Accreditation by the German agency AQAS underscores these efforts, solidifying USS’s commitment to upholding the highest international quality standards.
In 2024, USS significantly expanded its international participation by signing over 70 agreements with renowned institutions, joining six global networks, and building partnerships with new countries such as South Africa, India, and China. These initiatives enable students to access exchange programs at more than 100 universities, participate in short courses, and soon engage in language programs including Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, and Korean.
Academic mobility and "Internationalization at home"
USS’s internationalization strategy operates on three levels. The first level promotes student mobility through exchange programs and collaborative activities with partner universities. The second level focuses on “internationalization at home” by offering programs such as COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning), mirror classes, and virtual activities that connect students and faculty with international institutions.
Agreements with Ibero-American universities
The second level also emphasizes strengthening relationships with leading universities in Latin America and Spain. This year, USS signed agreements with institutions such as Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru, Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia, and Pontificia Universidad Católica de São Paulo in Brazil. USS also expanded its collaboration with the Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud (FUCS) in Colombia, incorporating new faculties and academic programs.
In Spain, notable progress has been made through joint initiatives and new agreements with the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid stand out.
Collaboration with renowned global institutions
The third level of the strategy involves forging partnerships with prestigious universities worldwide across various fields. These collaborations extend beyond academic exchanges to include doctoral internships, research partnerships, and double-degree initiatives.
USS has established ties with institutions like the University of Chicago and the University of Alabama at Birmingham for Medicine; the University of Nottingham and UC Davis for Engineering; Kedge Business School and the University of São Paulo for Economics and Health Sciences, respectively; SUNY at Buffalo for Education, and the University of Pennsylvania for Dentistry, among others.
Through these advancements, USS reaffirms its commitment to providing a high-quality education aligned with the challenges and demands of a globalized world. By making internationalization a strategic priority, USS not only strengthens the academic foundation of its students but also expands their professional horizons, preparing them for successful careers in an international context.
