Naples, December 10 – The University of Naples Federico II has opened its doors to 24 Palestinian students, who have arrived in Italy thanks to the Iupals (Italian Universities for Palestinian Students) program. This initiative, promoted by the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI), has so far involved 35 Italian universities, demonstrating a widespread commitment to supporting Palestinian youth in their educational pursuits.
Meeting with University Officials
This morning, the students met with the university’s top officials in the Sala del Consiglio (Council Room). Rector Matteo Lorito and Pro-Rector Angela Zampella were present, alongside Alessandro Buttà, General Director of Federico II, Guido D’Urso, the Rector’s Delegate for Cooperation, and Gianluigi Mauriello, the university’s reference person for the Iupals project.
Rector Lorito expressed his enthusiasm for the program: «We are very happy to have you here and to have invested in this program, thanks to which you can now study in Naples, and at Federico II. We have had consolidated relationships with Palestinian universities for years, and we will do our best, even knowing that not everything is perfect, to do what is possible so that you can stay and achieve your aspirations.»
A Complex Journey from Gaza and the West Bank
The group of students comprises 11 individuals from Gaza, with the remaining students hailing from various locations in the West Bank. For those coming from Gaza, the journey was particularly complex, involving travel first to Jordan and then to Italy via state flights, highlighting the extraordinary efforts made to facilitate their arrival.
Gianluigi Mauriello, the Iupals project reference person, explained the academic opportunities available to the students: «The students had the opportunity to enroll in all 14 of our master’s degree courses taught in English, and therefore, they are now regularly enrolled and attending classes.» He added that while the university initially committed to 10 scholarships, funding from the Campania Region allowed them to expand the program to accommodate 24 students.
Two Years of Study and Community Support
The students are scheduled to remain at Federico II for two years. Accommodation arrangements include stays at Campus X and with volunteer host families, underscoring a community-wide effort to support their integration. This comprehensive welcome process was significantly aided by Alì Shaikh Ibrahim, a Federico II graduate who serves as the coordinator for participating universities in the region and provides support to the Palestinian students within the Iupals program.
The Iupals program stands as a testament to international academic solidarity, providing crucial educational opportunities for students from challenging circumstances and fostering cultural exchange within the Italian university system. The commitment of Federico II, along with the support from the Campania Region and dedicated volunteers, ensures that these students have the resources and environment necessary to pursue their academic goals.
Source: https://napoli.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_dicembre_10/la-federico-ii-di-napoli-accoglie-24-studenti-palestinesi-grazie-al-programma-iupals-7e75b57d-29a4-4309-852f-47c802c8dxlk.shtml
