The UNITAFRICA Summer School, an interdisciplinary higher education program that will run until July 4, 2025, has officially started at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) in Dakar. The initiative, jointly sponsored by the University of Brescia and the Senegalese university, is part of the UNITAFRICA project, funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan - Transnational Educational Initiative. The central theme of the edition is “Appropriate Technologies & Digital Solutions to Create Resilient Communities Facing Environmental and Health Challenges,” with the aim of analyzing technologies and digital solutions that can increase the resilience of local communities with respect to current environmental and health challenges of global scope.
The University of Brescia, as lead partner of the UNITAFRICA project, takes a leading role in strengthening academic relations between the two continents, fostering the development of shared models of higher education and scientific cooperation. The project involves 21 Italian and 78 African universities, with the aim of promoting structured and sustainable partnerships between institutions of higher education.
During the inaugural ceremony - in the presence of the Rectors and representatives of the partner universities, the Italian Ambassador to Senegal, Dr. Michele Mazzola representing the MUR, as well as the Vice Rector of UCAD - Rector Prof. Francesco Castelli highlighted the strategic value of international academic cooperation as a fundamental tool for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Prof. Sabrina Sorlini, UniBs lecturer and UNITAFRICA project coordinator, emphasized how the Summer School represents a virtuous model of interuniversity collaboration, aimed at creating joint opportunities in the fields of education, research and innovation.
Students from Senegal, Ghana, Somalia, Tanzania and Italy are participating in the program, with a total of more than 200 enrolled, between presence and online modes. The training includes lectures, group activities and case study analysis on topics such as global health, sustainable water and waste management (WASH), agroecology, animal husbandry and renewable energy. Twenty-five faculty members and international experts help ensure high-profile scientific training.