DESCRIPTION AND METHODOLOGIES
In 2019/20, the University was partner of the initiative promoted by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) "Partnership for knowledge". The project aims to create opportunities for higher education and research dedicated to young students and, in parallel, to foster cooperation as a tool to strengthen the dialogue between Italian and foreign university systems.
The initiative provides a total of 99 scholarships at Italian Universities (73 Master's Degrees and 26 PhDs), starting from the academic year 2019-2020, divided into four thematic platforms: 1. Rural development and land management; 2. Health and WASH; 3. Sustainable energy, environment and industrial innovation; 4. Cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.
Special attention is paid to the arrival of students from countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Cuba and El Salvador. The University of Florence is the leader of Platform 1, in close collaboration with the Universities of Padua, Pisa, Siena and Turin. The countries eligible for this platform are Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Niger and Senegal.
RESULTS AND IMPACT
This project has posed new challenges to the University for the promotion of an inclusive university based on principles such as: equality and non-discrimination, welcoming and integrating students from contexts where the possibility to study and do research in a free way is seriously compressed, conditioning the opportunities and life choices of many young students and researchers.
