The University of Sassari, being deeply rooted in a complex island environment in the heart of the Mediterranean, has decided to focus on the internationalization of education and research. This approach aims at fostering the acquisition of skills (which are exploitable in the labour market) and the employability of its graduates through policies centred on international exchange and mobility. The University has participated in the Erasmus programme since the beginning of the '90s, study and training abroad being an integral part of its curricula. There have been relevant efforts in order to foster exchange opportunities through the following measures: Adoption of University Regulations for student international mobility, in compliance with the requirements of the Bologna Process. Boosting of the collaboration between the International Relations Office and the departments, launch of Erasmus tutorship programmes and help desks, managed by former-Erasmus students, who support and assist mobility students. Introduction of a grant advance payment system: the top 200 students of the ranking lists (based on family income) receive an advance of either € 2000/1500. The rest of the students receive a 80% advance of the total EU grant. Provision of free foreign language courses addressed to outgoing students and Italian language courses for incoming students. Implementation of a merit-based award system that considers the Erasmus outgoing students' academic results attained abroad: part of the regional dedicated funds are allocated to the students who attained the best results based on a credit/month ratio. This measure resulted in an increase of the number of credits attained abroad by outgoing students. In some departments, students may be awarded additional 1-2 points to be added to their final mark upon successful completion of their study or traineeship mobility. Strengthening of the welcome system for incoming students, thanks to the cooperation with the Erasmus Student Network, that manages airport pick-up services, assist in the search for a suitable accommodation and dealing with administrative procedures, the organization of cultural, recreational and sports activities, including Welcome Days, in collaboration with the University. Establishment of an ombudsperson position to assist incoming students. For incoming students, free access to: medical assistance, libraries, broadband; canteen service at bargain prices; 1 free night at a hotel on the arrival day. Provision of questionnaires for incoming students to help improve available services and gain a better understanding of students’ needs. The measures for the promotion of international mobility have allowed to significantly increase the number of mobility flows, which rose from 343 in 2008/09 to 699 in 2014/15, which earned the University its top position in the national ranking lists for the number of outgoing trainees. The quality of the mobility experiences has increased with the average number of credits attained abroad, with a steady growth. This policy has also resulted in the boosting of mobility towards partner countries: in 2014/15 over 100 students studied or worked in non-EU countries by participating in the “Ulisse” programme. The participation of professors and non-teaching staff in Erasmus mobility programmes for teaching and training purposes, has experienced a significant increase in recent years. This has led to an increase of the professionalization of the staff involved and has fostered the improvement of the quality of their work and the exchange of best practices with partners. The involvement of local and regional institutions, with a steady increase in funding for international mobility, bears witness to the recognition of the role of a programme that aims to strengthen and improve the skills of participants and to promote employment prospects, resulting in a positive impact on economic competitiveness at the local and regional level. The results obtained in the framework of international mobility were also highlighted in the latest Almalaurea report, showing that the average of UNISS graduates, who have enjoyed one or more experiences abroad, is much higher than the national average. In the report released by Indire, the percentage of UNISS outgoing Eramus students, compared to the number of enrolled studenta, reached 4.2% compared to the national average of 1,5%. The establishment of a partnership with local institutions and businesses, aimed at creating internship opportunities for incoming students (Erasmus Traineeship in Sardinia), which has greatly increased the number of incoming students for traineeship, is a testimony of the commitment to involve the local community in the opportunities provided by the Erasmus programme, as an effective means to promote the internationalization and development of the University and its region.