From 22 to 26 June 2026, representatives from higher education institutions across Europe and Latin America came together at Sorbonne Université in Paris for the NANOMER Staff Training Week in International Cooperation. Organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme, the week-long initiative aimed to strengthen the competencies of international relations staff while supporting the internationalization strategies of universities participating in the NANOMER consortium.

Hosted by Sorbonne Université (France), in collaboration with ENS de Lyon (France) and Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain), the Staff Training Week welcomed participants from Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (Argentina), Universidad San Sebastián (Chile), Escuela Politécnica Nacional (Ecuador), and Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador). The programme provided a platform to exchange experiences, share best practices, and deepen collaboration between European and Latin American partner institutions.

Sylvain Briens, Associate Vice-President for Erasmus+ and International Mobility at Sorbonne Université, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative: "Erasmus+ Capacity Building projects are at the heart of Sorbonne Université's international strategy. Staff Training Weeks like this are not simply training events—they are opportunities to build lasting partnerships, develop new research and education initiatives, and strengthen international cooperation between Europe and Latin America. Our ambition is for internationalization to become part of the university's DNA, empowering students, researchers, faculty and administrative staff to engage in international collaboration throughout their careers."

Throughout the week, participants took part in a comprehensive programme covering key topics in international higher education, including the organisation of International Relations Offices, international mobility management, the development of strategic partnerships, Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education funding opportunities, Horizon Europe research and innovation programmes, quality assurance in international projects, and inclusion strategies. The sessions combined expert presentations with practical discussions, enabling participants to identify new opportunities for institutional cooperation and future joint initiatives.

In addition to the academic programme, participants visited Sorbonne Université's scientific facilities and took part in cultural activities designed to encourage networking and strengthen professional relationships across the consortium.

The Staff Training Week reflects NANOMER's commitment to building sustainable institutional capacity through the professional development of International Relations Office staff. “By strengthening expertise in international mobility, European funding programmes, and strategic partnership development, the project contributes to more resilient institutional networks and supports the long-term internationalization of its partner universities”, said Stephanie Zimny, International Project officer of Sorbonne Université.

NANOMER is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project that brings together universities from Europe and Latin America to promote excellence in nanoscience education, pedagogical innovation, and international cooperation. Alongside its academic objectives, the project includes dedicated actions to reinforce institutional capacity and foster sustainable collaboration among partner universities.

Cecilia Rubin, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (Argentina) 

"This has been an excellent experience. We had the opportunity to work not only with our European partners but also with universities from across Latin America. By sharing our experiences, we realized that we have many opportunities to collaborate and develop new projects together. We are institutions with great potential, and having the chance to learn more about European programmes has given us the confidence to take the next step, pursue new initiatives, and strengthen our international collaboration."

Mariana Hott, Universidad San Sebastián (Chile)

"Participating in this Staff Training Week has been a truly inspiring experience. Sharing experiences reminded us that every university and every country has unique strengths to contribute, and that building synergies is the key to creating meaningful international partnerships. I leave with new knowledge about international cooperation and European funding opportunities, but above all with the confidence that we have the potential to achieve much more together. Beyond the professional growth, I am taking home new friendships, renewed motivation, and the conviction that the true purpose of initiatives like Erasmus+ is to translate international collaboration into tangible benefits for our universities, our educational communities, and the territories we serve."

Tania Tufiño, Escuela Politécnica Nacional (Ecuador)

"For me, as a representative of a public university in Ecuador, this has been a truly enriching experience. I am taking home new knowledge, fresh ideas, valuable professional connections, and even friendships from this wonderful country that has welcomed us so warmly. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and for everything we have learned. I leave feeling like an ambassador for the Erasmus+ programme, and I hope this is just the starting point for continued collaboration between our institutions. If I had to summarize this experience in one word, it would be gratitude".

Michelle Dávila, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador)

"This Staff Training Week has been a valuable opportunity to connect—not only to exchange good practices, but also to recognize the strengths of our institutions and the contributions we can make from Latin America. I believe we can strengthen the relationships that already exist between our universities while also creating new partnerships, projects, and joint initiatives. One of my key takeaways has been the willingness of French universities to strengthen their ties with Latin America. I look forward to turning these conversations into concrete collaborations that benefit both our students and university staff through research, mobility and academic cooperation. "