MoU signed between AII-PS and UNIVPM – 6 July 2021
On July 6th 2021, AII Secretary General and President of the AII-PS Foundation, Amb. Giovanni Castellaneta, and Marche Polytechnic University Rector, Prof. Gian Luca Gregori, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions for the development of new scientific teaching activities on issues relating to European integration.
The Memorandum foresees the creation of 10 two-year scholarships which will be granted to students coming from the Adriatic-Ionian region and the Western Balkans for enrolment in one of the four master's degree courses taught in English at the Marche Polytechnic University (International Economics and Commerce, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Food and Beverage Innovation and Management).
In addition, the AII-PS Foundation will finance a university course on issues relating to European integration and the economic-political development of the countries involved in the AII and EUSAIR Strategy.
"In the context of internationalization policies, the Marche Polytechnic University has undertaken the commitment to encourage student mobility - said Rector Prof. Gregori - and to attract foreign students. With this protocol, the fundamental role of academic-scientific collaboration with the countries of the Western Balkans is consolidated by promoting actions for the development of research and teaching activities, promoting knowledge, integration and mutual enrichment between cultures and the circulation of knowledge".
Amb. Castellaneta underlined how investing in young people is one of the best ways to strengthen the Western Balkans, as well as consolidating the spirit of collaboration and friendship between the countries of the Adriatic-Ionian basin which is at the basis of the "Ancona Declaration". “The 10 scholarships and the university course on issues relating to European integration and the political / economic development of the AII/EUSAIR countries, fit well within the youth dossier that the AII Permanent Secretariat has fully promoted in recent years and that will continue under the Albanian Chairmanship of the Initiative”, said Ambassador Castellaneta.
The UNIVPM hosts the Permanent Secretariat of UniAdrion, the association of Adriatic Ionian universities, which has been cooperation with the AII-PS for over 20 years.