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It’s easy to feel lost in a big university in a new country – but that’s not the case for international students at the University of Parma. Although the university community is made up of over 33,000 students and close to 2,000 instructors, researchers, and staff, you are never just another number on its 77-hectare campus and 10 departments.
In fact, students here are front and centre of everything. From the moment you apply to the university until the day you graduate, the university is with you every step of the way. Whether it’s about your learning or living, you’ll have people, tools, and resources to turn to – as the stories of two Communication Engineering students below show.
At every step of his MS in Communication Engineering journey at the University of Parma, Mohammadreza Raeesodati has people, tools, and resources to turn to. Source: University of Parma
From Iran to Italy
Mohammadreza Raeesodati, 32, had applied to several programmes in Italy before choosing the University of Parma’s MS in Communication Engineering for several reasons. He was impressed by the faculty’s renowned professors and wide range of specialties which included IoT, optical communication, photonics, wireless technology, and digital systems.
He was just as won over by the admissions committee. “Compared to other universities they were fast and highly responsible in handling applications, which gave me confidence in the institution’s commitment to its students,” he says.
Raeesodati would spend the next two years getting more competent and confident in this field. The MS is run by the Department of Engineering and Architecture and is fully taught in English. Raeesodati need not learn a new language and could focus on exploring various fields and discovering his true interests, thanks to the wide range of elective courses available. “This flexibility enables students to gain a solid foundation in communication engineering while also providing the opportunity to delve deeper into their chosen area of expertise,” he says. “In my opinion, this helps students prepare for their next steps either in industry or further study.”
Programmes here stand out for giving students a solid foundation through compulsory courses and up-to-date applications in electives. All teaching materials, from lecture slides to recorded class videos, are easy to access. Those unable to attend classes in person due to visa delays can take their first semester classes online too.
To Raeesodati, however, the programme’s best feature is its professors. They were always available to help. Raeesodati describes the student-teacher relationship as “exceptional” and with professors “fully dedicated to supporting students and helping to resolve issues.”
“They are equally supportive when it comes to personal challenges, offering assistance wherever they can,” he says. “For example, when we first arrived in Parma after the pandemic, we were unfamiliar with the city. Prof. Alberto Bononi, the program director, went out of his way to help us find accommodation, which was a huge help at the time.”
Moving from one coutry to another can feel like a neverending to-do list, which is why the University of Parma has a dedicated team that provides constant support for international students. That includes resources for direct counselling to help you navigate any practical issues faced, whether that’s smoothing out the arduous process of getting an Italian visa, or finding job and internship opportunities.
MS in Communication Engineering graduates have gone on to carve careers in research centres all across Europe, like the Nokia Bel Labs France, and the European Space Agency (ESA). Others, like Mahum Angelina (pictured above), pursue further study and land jobs in academia. Source: University of Parma
A great start to an academic career
When Mahum Angelina decided to apply to the MS in Communication Engineering at the University of Parma, it came with the promise of professional and personal development. The Pakistani was enticed by the “versatility and richness” of research activity, as well as the cosmopolitan campus community. “Parma’s multicultural environment has been full of learning and refreshing experiences in which I can hang out with friends from different parts of the world — these social interactions broaden my spectrum and encourage respect for different traditions and perspectives,” she says.
Angelina had studied Computer Science and Information Technology during her undergraduate years. While working as a software engineer and dealing with servers and machine-to-machine communication, she discovered a new interest in communication technologies. Hence why she was drawn to the MS’s specialisation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its courses in three major domains – Telecommunication, Computer Engineering and Electronics.
She saw the growth in human-machine interactions and was curious about emerging technologies, like IoT and machine learning. As the curriculum covers both in English, the MS stood out as the top choice for her.
Two years in, Angelina is set to graduate and aims to pursue a PhD in Information Technology with a focus on Machine Learning at the University of Parma. She feels assured taking this next step, crediting the many experiences she gained during her MS. For example, the seminar with the research and development team from Nokia and a day trip to Nokia Bell Labs in Milan deepened her knowledge and sparked a new passion for independent research. During job fairs and placement days, she had the chance to interact with the tech industry as well.
“My goal is to contribute to research and innovation, and either work as a professor or work in a research and development role within the tech industry” she says. “University has prepared me for this by providing a solid foundation in theoretical and practical work, through challenging coursework and hands-on projects. The faculty is also very supportive – professors and senior students provide guidance on research methodologies, publishing papers, internship opportunities, which has helped me to make better decisions for my career.”
Learn more about the MS in Communication Engineering Programme today.
