Getting your Degree Recognised in Italy: An Interview with Expert Michela de Julio

If you decide to settle in Italy, you'll probably need to have your academic title officially recognised. (If you want to know more, email me).
That's no easy feat. You truly need an expert. ​So just go on and read my interview with Michela de Julio, the  expert for Italy. 

Can you introduce yourself?

Hello there, and thank you, Natalia, for inviting me to showcase my story with your esteemed audience!
I'm Michela de Julio, the founder of MMW Translations in Rome and MMW Europe in London. My journey in legal translations began in 1995, aiming to establish a global network of professional translators. Embracing the burgeoning Internet era, I expanded my venture in 2014 to London, where MMW Europe was born, combining linguistic services with cross-border legal consultation, specifically in recognising academic and professional qualifications in Italy and abroad. In my capacity as an official translator for the General Italian Consulate in London and the Court of Rome, I specialise in English, Italian, French, and Spanish, offering legal consultancy on academic and professional titles.

My mission is to ensure clear, culturally-informed communication across different legal systems, guiding clients in navigating through their academic and professional journeys, when they decide to relocate to Italy or abroad.
 
2) Why work with an academic title recognition expert?

Working with an academic title recognition expert is essential because they possess specialised knowledge in navigating the complexities of international educational and professional standards.
This expertise is crucial for accurately interpreting and aligning academic credentials with the legal and educational requirements of different countries. Such professionals play a key role in ensuring that qualifications are properly recognised and valued in new jurisdictions, thereby facilitating smoother transitions for individuals pursuing academic or professional opportunities abroad. Their role is particularly significant in a globalised world where educational and professional mobility is common.

Relying on the expertise of a skilled professional, is even more vital when considering that many individuals are unaware that their foreign qualifications may lack legal value in Italy. This is due to the principle of 'legal value' in the Italian system, where a foreign title needs to be formally recognised by the relevant ministerial or academic authorities to have full legal validity within our country's framework. Legal value refers to the official status and legal effects associated with a qualification issued by an accredited educational institution, whether public or private, authorized by the state.
An expert in this field can navigate these complex recognition processes, ensuring that international credentials are appropriately validated and legally recognised in Italy or in any other country.
In today's highly globalised scenario, characterised by a trend of mobility aimed at developing and integrating education and skills abroad, the recognition of qualifications obtained undoubtedly allows students and professionals to enhance their resumes, facilitating integration into the job market or access to higher education. The fundamental issue in this field is that foreign qualifications do not have legal value in Italy. Therefore, both Italian and foreign citizens who intend to use their foreign qualifications for public competitions, higher education, or professional licensing exams must obtain recognition to make them valid within the Italian legal system.
 
3) How did you become an academic titles recognition expert?

My journey towards becoming an academic titles recognition expert was both gradual and intentional; it began many years ago, sparked by a fascinating array of applications from a different range of clientele. These were not just any requests of assistance – they were from individuals poised to leap into new careers in distant lands, or from Italian professionals seeking to translate their foreign diplomas as part of this big move. Each case was like a new chapter in a novel, filled with dreams, aspirations, and the pursuit of success in unfamiliar territories. This was more than just translation; it was about helping people embark on life-changing adventures, armed with their hard-earned qualifications, ready to be recognized in a new world, and moreover it was not just in Italy, but also in other countries, broadening my understanding of international legal systems.
These individuals ranged from professionals like engineers, doctors, and architects, to students fresh out of university, all seeking to leverage their qualifications for career advancements abroad.

The core of my work initially involved providing official translations of these diplomas - a crucial step in the broader process of academic and professional recognition. However, I soon recognised a gap in the services available to these individuals. Post-translation, many clients were often at a loss regarding the next steps in the recognition process. They sought guidance on navigating the complex administrative and legal landscapes, both in Italy and internationally. This need inspired me to expand my services beyond translation, addressing the broader scope of academic and professional qualification recognition.
With time and hands-on experience, I transitioned naturally into a consultancy role, driven by the desire to offer more comprehensive support to my clients. Recognising the need for a deeper legal understanding, I embarked on a journey to earn a second Degree in Law. This pursuit was aimed at enhancing my capabilities as a legal consultant, equipping me with the knowledge and authority to handle my clients' intricate demands more effectively.
Currently, I am training as a solicitor in England to augment my skills as a lawyer in Italy. This progression in my career is aimed at enhancing my ability to support clients around academic and professional title recognition by offering comprehensive assistance in such technical and specific field.
 
4) Any client stories you remember?
One particularly compelling case was that of a young woman who held a double degree in architecture from an English university. She was a qualified architect, full of talent and dreams, but faced uncertainty in Italy due to the complex process of getting her English qualifications recognised. I worked closely with her, meticulously translating, and aligning her impressive credentials with the stringent Italian standards. This was no small task, as it involved understanding and interpreting two very different educational and professional systems. After a detailed and thorough process, her qualifications were successfully recognised in Italy. Her experience highlights the crucial role played by an expert in academic title recognition in converting international academic credentials into recognised professional qualifications in new countries.

Fortunately, this young architect had a good grasp of Italian, which significantly aided our collaboration. Through the implementation of compensatory measures, her double degree from England was eventually recognised. It was a complex and documentation-heavy process, but her persistence and our joint efforts paid off in the end. The journey was intricate and required a detailed understanding of the necessary paperwork, but the satisfaction of seeing her qualifications accepted in Italy was immense.

The simplest and quickest case I handled was that of an Italian Ph.D. graduate of Philosophy from a prestigious American university. The process was straightforward: authenticating her diplomas, carrying out the necessary legalisations and sworn translations, and applying for the declaration of value. Within just a couple of months, she received her recognition decree directly from the Italian Ministry of University and Research. This was a true testament to efficiency and success in the recognition process!
 
5) Pro tips

For any student or professional considering relocating to another country, I recommend following these steps before the move. It's crucial to prepare your academic or professional documentation in your home country, considering authentication, legalisation, and declaration of value processes. Additionally, for translations, it's best to entrust them to an official translator in Italy who specialises in title recognition, ensuring accurate and appropriate translations. This proactive approach will streamline the recognition process and avoid potential complications down the road.

Here are my pro tips for anyone navigating the recognition of academic and professional titles and streamline the intricate process:

1. Start early: begin the recognition process well in advance to avoid delays.
2. Research requirements: familiarise with the specific requirements and documentation needed for each case.
3. Seek expert guidance: consult with an academic titles recognition expert to navigate complex procedures.
4. Keep records: maintain clear records of all documents, translations, and communications with all parties involved in the process.
5. Patience is key: recognising qualifications can be a lengthy process which does not happen overnight, so patience and perseverance are essential.
6. Stay informed: stay updated on changes in recognition laws and regulations in both your home and your target country.
7. Professional translations: ensure all documents are professionally translated and meet legal standards.
8. Verify credentials: verify the credibility of the institution that issued your qualifications.
9. Seek legal advice: in complex cases, consult with legal experts to address any legal challenges.
10. Plan ahead: Plan your career or academic path with recognition in mind to maximise its benefits.
 
Where can we find you?
You can reach me for consultations at the following email address: [email protected]
I'm here to help with any academic and professional title recognition inquiries you may have.
Ciao a tutti!
michela​