TNE UNITAFRICA

The University of Brescia coordinates the project "UNITAFRICA - Empowering the Academic Cooperation between Italy and Africa for fostering the quality and effectiveness of the higher education systems in a mutual learning environment", which involves 21 Italian universities and 78 African universities as partners.

The general objectives include:

• the creation of both physical and virtual learning environments, also through international mobility programs;
• student training;
• the development of advanced skills among academic and administrative staff;
• the evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of training activities.

The project is structured into six strategic Work Packages (WPs):

• WP1 focuses on project management,
• WP2 on the establishment of the UNITAFRICA Alliance and the digital platform,
• WP3 on innovative training for students,
• WP4 on skill development for academic and administrative staff,
• WP5 on retrospective analysis and impact assessment,
• WP6 on communication and awareness-raising.

Strategic activities include the creation of the UNITAFRICA Alliance and a Platform for Innovative Teaching and Mobility (PIT) to support the project's initiatives.

Approximately 590 two-way mobility exchanges are planned for students, teaching, and non-teaching staff. Master's and PhD students will participate in mobility programs (WP3) for thesis work, research, and training courses.

Special attention is given to the promotion of advanced training courses for teaching and non-teaching staff (WP4), both in Italy and in Africa. The project aims for systemic innovation in capacity building through the implementation of:

• 13 training courses for master's and doctoral students (WP3),
• 10 advanced training courses for academic staff, and
• 1 course for administrative and technical staff (WP4).

The project’s focus areas for the courses include: health, environment and ecological transition, rural development, sustainable energy, digital transition, entrepreneurial and industrial development, cultural heritage, and social and human sciences.