Thanks to the support of the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Coordination Office for the Mediterranean of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI) and in collaboration with the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), implements the project Mentorship – Towards a Network of Inclusive Italian Universities.
Aiming at responding to challenges related to the access to Higher Education for TCNs students, the project is contributing to the institutionalization of mentorship schemes in Italian universities to actively support refugees and TCNs students in their path to academic and social inclusion. In particular, the action proposes the formal recognition of the role of student committees, established within universities involved in the initiative. The 10 universities part of the projects represent unique realities, each with its own peculiarities and range of services already dedicated to the reception of migrant students. Particular attention is paid to universities receiving the largest number of refugees and TCNs students beneficiaries of scholarships promoted by the Ministry of the Interior (in collaboration with CRUI and ANDISU).
Adopting a peer-to-peer approach, students act as ‘mentors’ providing TCNs students with administrative, academic and social support. Exchange among students with different backgrounds and cultural affiliations is emphasized, stressing the role of the whole academic community as place of cohesion and understanding. The initiative is also promoting institutional commitment, strengthening collaboration among universities, encouraging the participation of young people and countering forms of xenophobia and prejudice.
Our network of inclusive universities:
Università di Roma La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di Padova, Università di Napoli L’Orientale, Università di Pisa, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Università degli Studi di Torino, Università di Milano Bicocca, Università di degli Studi di Sassari, Università degli Studi di Palermo,Università di Roma Tre.
