Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Two Students from Gaza Welcomed to Unimore under the National IUPALS Programme

Two Palestinian students, a female and a male student, arrived in Modena yesterday from the Gaza Strip and will continue their university studies at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Their arrival is part of the IUPALS – Italian Universities for Palestinian Students programme, an initiative promoted by the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Ministry of University and Research, with the aim of enabling young people from the Gaza Strip to continue their higher education in a safe environment.

The two students are among a group of young Palestinians who have arrived in Italy through university evacuation initiatives established by the Italian higher education system to ensure the continuation of academic programmes that have been severely disrupted since 2023.

Upon their arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, the students were welcomed by Professor Maria Chiara Rioli, Delegate for Peace and Social Equity. Together they travelled to Modena, where, later that evening, they were received by Professor Elena Bassoli, Delegate for Equal Opportunities, and Professor Matteo Al Kalak, Delegate for Social Housing. On behalf of the University, they extended a warm welcome and supported the students during their first steps into the university community, also with the assistance of ER.GO, the Regional Agency for the Right to Higher Education of Emilia-Romagna.

The students were also welcomed by Paolo Prandini on behalf of the Interdiocesan Caritas of Modena-Nonantola and Carpi, which has been actively involved in facilitating the students’ arrival and inclusion within the local community through the commitment of Archbishop Erio Castellucci and Caritas Director Sister Maria Bottura.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, 3 June, the students met with Professor Rita Cucchiara, Rector of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Also in attendance were Professor Paolo Pavan, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Internationalisation; Professor Monia Montorsi, Vice-Rector for the Student Community; Professor Francesco Leali, Director of the Department of Engineering; and Dr Giacomo Guaraldi, Delegate for Academic Pathway Support, Inclusion, Special Needs and Disability.

The meeting was also attended by the student from the Gaza Strip who joined Unimore last October. It provided an opportunity for an official welcome and for discussion of the academic and personal journey that the two students will undertake over the coming months as members of the Unimore academic community.

"The arrival of these two students marks the culmination of an intensive coordination effort among universities, institutions and organisations involved in the IUPALS programme, in close collaboration with the Ministry of University and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It also marks the beginning of a highly delicate journey of life and education. Against a backdrop of systematic violations of international law, which observers and international bodies have characterised as the crime of genocide, and at a time when access to education in the Gaza Strip has been severely compromised by systematic attacks on academic institutions and the targeted killing of hundreds of university lecturers, ensuring that students can continue their studies means safeguarding a fundamental right and helping to preserve skills, aspirations and future prospects. Welcoming these young people significantly enriches our university community, strengthening both its international dimension and its commitment to cooperation," said Maria Chiara Rioli.

"Universities can and must serve as places of protection and opportunity for those whose lives and educational paths have been interrupted by conflict," stated Paolo Pavan. "The collaboration between universities, institutions and student support services demonstrates how solidarity can be transformed into concrete action. We are delighted to accompany these students on both their academic and personal journeys, providing them with the tools to build their future and continue investing in knowledge despite the challenges they have faced."

The reception of these two students forms part of Unimore’s broader commitment to the right to education, international cooperation, and support for academic communities affected by conflicts and humanitarian crises. Through its participation in the IUPALS programme, the University contributes to ensuring continuity of higher education for young people from the Gaza Strip, offering them the opportunity to pursue their studies in a safe, inclusive environment open to international dialogue and exchange.

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng