Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

UNICORE Project: Student from Uganda arrives at Unimore

UNICORE – University Corridors for Refugees is a programme promoted by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in partnership with Italian universities and a number of institutional and third-sector partners. These include Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese and Centro Astalli, as well as ER.GO, the Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for the Right to Higher Education, Approdi ODV, Casa delle Donne contro la violenza ODV, Caritas Interdiocesana and Manageritalia Emilia-Romagna. Through university corridors, scholarships and dedicated support programmes, UNICORE enables refugee students to access higher education in Italy safely.

The students, who are currently refugees in various countries across Africa and Asia, were selected directly by the participating universities on the basis of their academic achievements and personal motivation. With this latest edition, UNICORE has reached a significant milestone: since its launch in 2019, more than 380 refugee students have been given the opportunity to travel to Italy through a safe and regular route and continue their academic studies, developing skills and professional prospects for the future.

The arrival of the student through the UNICORE project takes on particular significance against the backdrop of the dramatic humanitarian crisis in Sudan, one of the countries with the lowest human development indicators in the world, where the ongoing conflict has forced millions of people to flee their homes.

“The arrival of this student reaffirms the value of international cooperation and the responsibility of universities to ensure access to educational opportunities, including for those whose studies have been disrupted by conflict,” says Professor Paolo Pavan, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Internationalisation. “Through UNICORE, Unimore has built a network that enables us to support students and help make the right to education a reality, investing in knowledge, people and the future of our societies.”

The student was welcomed on her arrival in Italy by Professor Maria Chiara Rioli, Unimore’s Delegate for Peace and Social Equity, and Paolo Prandini from Caritas Interdiocesana, as part of the collaboration between the University and local organisations involved in welcoming and supporting refugees.

“Behind migration statistics are people with skills, aspirations and plans for the future,” emphasises Professor Maria Chiara Rioli. “Welcoming this student means recognising her right to build her own future and her ability to contribute to our university community. Cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and all project partners, both nationally and locally, is essential to making this journey possible.”

Access to higher education remains beyond the reach of the vast majority of refugees. According to UNHCR’s annual education report, published on 2 October 2026, only 11 per cent of refugees worldwide have access to tertiary education, a figure that remains below the national average in 80 per cent of host countries. For refugee girls, the chances of completing their education decline even further, starting at secondary school level.

“I had the opportunity to be involved in the launch of this initiative at UNIMORE, in partnership with UNHCR and with the strong support of local partners. Given the particular difficulties women face in accessing education in Africa,” says Professor Tindara Addabbo, Director of the Marco Biagi Department of Economics, “I am especially pleased to welcome the first refugee student to our University through this project. She will be joining a degree programme with a strong international focus, which can help open up opportunities for her to pursue a career in management.”

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng