32nd UNICA IRO Meeting: “IROs in the Next Erasmus+ Era: rethinking the concept of successful internationalisation” | University of Cyprus, 4-6 November 2026

This event is exclusive for representatives from UNICA member universities.

The annual UNICA IRO Meeting is taking place in early November, at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia. This year, the theme of the meeting is “IROs in the Next Erasmus+ Era: rethinking the concept of successful internationalisation”.

Target Group: Heads and Senior Officers of International Relations Offices, Erasmus+ Programme managers from UNICA Member Universities.

About the theme

Internationalisation in higher education is shifting from a focus on mobility numbers to the broader impact of international engagement. As discussions on the future of Erasmus+ beyond 2027 increasingly emphasise skills, inclusion, institutional capacity, and competitiveness, mobility is becoming a means to drive institutional transformation rather than an end in itself. In other words, the focus is moving from mobility as an output (“what we deliver”) to mobility as a driver of institutional transformation (“what we enable”).

This creates new opportunities for formats such as blended mobility, staff weeks, summer and winter schools, and internationalisation at home, while encouraging International Relations Offices (IROs) to adopt a more strategic role. The IRO meeting 2026 intends to provide a timely opportunity to reflect on how mobility can generate lasting institutional impact beyond participation figures.

Schedule (still subject to slight changes)

Wed, 4 Nov 2026	Thu, 5 Nov 2026	Fri, 6 Nov 2026
Afternoon (5pm) Guided walking tour in the old city (meeting point in the city center) Evening: Welcome Reception or dinner	9am-5pm: Working Sessions 5pm: Transfer by bus to Larnaca Walk in Larnaca, followed by dinner Return by bus (stops in the city center)	Morning: Workshop 1-2pm: Farewell Lunch Transfer by bus from the campus to the aiport will be provided – Please indicate in the registration form if you wish to use this service

Practical information

Download the Practical Guide for the partipants here.

Accommodation: please note that the University of Cyprus has secured a number of hotel rooms at special rates for the participants in the UNICA IRO Meeting. The information on the hotels and the booking instructions can be found in the Practical Guide. Due to the limited number of available rooms, early booking is strongly recommended.