The University of Bologna and Fondazione CEUR join forces to offer the SAIS accommodation service

The collaboration born to offer international students at the University of Bologna a free and innovative accommodation search service.

Fondazione CEUR won the tender organized by the University of Bologna to manage the service, thanks to a project developed to satisfy more swiftly the needs of international students searching for accommodation: the website www.saisaccommodation.it/en/

Fondazione CEUR, who had already activated the SIAS service in 1996 to support students searching for accommodation to study and enter the world of work, presented a new SAIS website which includes a comprehensive information section, accessible to everyone, containing information about accommodation in Bologna. The website allows students to view the full content of the ads, select properties filtered by specific requirements and read ads with descriptions and photographs. Owners can upload videos or 360° images of their properties to include in their ads.

A section dedicated to registered users allows to request information directly from the owner and easily book the accommodation online, subject to the payment of a deposit to the owner of the property.

Additionally, students looking for accommodation have access to online support to request an “Accommodation Declaration” to obtain visas from Italian embassies abroad, information about long- and short-term accommodation in Bologna, assistance with the rental agreement or the language, to communicate with property owners. Users can also book one of the properties on the Fondazione CEUR database and receive assistance to solve issues between owners and international users or individual support to find accommodation.

The additional services offered to students include access to an FAQ section, operators available to assist via chat, “contact us” area on the website, with forms designed for specific queries, email and telephone contact details. Support will be provided online, to allow students to research and book remotely. However, an information office is also available in Bologna, near the University, for students who are in the city.

The new SAIS website created by Fondazione CEUR, with its free ad posting and easy browsing service, is a new reference point for international students and property owners. Students will also be able to leave their feedback on properties, which will be visible in the ad, to help other students in their search for accommodation.

The website also has a News section, which publishes important communications, videos and has a section providing assistance on crucial contractual and legal aspects of rental agreements and cohabitation and management issues (difference between general and recoverable costs, bills, extraordinary maintenance, etc.) between owners and tenants.

“The number of international students who choose to study at the University of Bologna keeps growing– said Rector Francesco Ubertini – this year the number of international students who enrolled in second cycle degrees grew by 10%; the figure reaches 20% in sectors such as engineering and economics. Additionally, Bologna is the University with the largest number of Erasmus students in Europe: every year approximately 3200 exchange students choose our university. These are important achievements that require us to keep up the high welcome service standards this city and this University traditionally offer. This is the reason why we have renewed and improved our welcome and accommodation search services dedicated to international students. Thanks to the online platform provided by Fondazione CEUR, who won the tender organized by our University, students will have assistance during the entire accommodation search process: from finding a home to signing the rental agreement”.

Maurizio Carvelli, CEO of Fondazione CEUR said “We are very proud to have been awarded this tender again and to be able to continue our collaboration with the University of Bologna. This year we start with a new website, to provide a faster and more comprehensive service to students looking for accommodation and offer them all the support they need. We have been working to provide accommodation for university students for over 30 years, and during this time we have helped many young people to study and concentrate on their university careers without worries, by taking care of all issues related to accommodation and assisting them in one of the best and most important periods of their lives. We will continue to work hard to guarantee a right to higher education system to all students and assist and support them during the process of building their future”.

Fondazione CEUR - European Centre for University and Research – was founded in 1990 thanks to the efforts of university teachers, entrepreneurs and professionals, as a training and cultural institution, to offer young university students the best conditions to take the future in their own hands. It offers accommodation and additional training with the aim of encouraging students to express their personality, skills and professional vocation to the fullest. For over 20 years, Fondazione CEUR has collaborated with Fondazione Falciola, founded in 1985, a pioneer in social housing in Italy. In 2007 their partnership led to the creation of the Camplus brand and in 2017, the two foundations merged. Fondazione CEUR is credited as a network of colleges of excellence by the Ministry of Education, University and Research and is part of the Conference of University Colleges of Merit. An essential part of its work also includes post-graduate and research development programmes, assigning scholarships to worthy students.

Published on: 12 July 2019