The University of Pisa joined in the University Corridors Project for Refugee Students, together with other Italian universities.
The project is promoted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and counts on the direct involvement of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, the Waldensian Deaconship, along with the participation of the regional agency for the right to higher education DSU ( Diritto allo Studio Universitario) Toscana and other local institutions and authorities.
The Project’s aim is to consolidate and strengthen a legal and safe entry channel to facilitate the access of refugees to higher education in Italy. It will also promote their social integration and active participation in the academic life, in harmony with the Global Compact on Refugees and with the Manifesto for the Inclusive University, developed by UNHCR and endorsed by the University of Pisa.
The University of Pisa published the call UNI-CO-RE 2.0 (University Corridors for Refugees a.y. 2020-2022), to select two refugee students from Ethiopia holding a higher education qualification suitable for the admission to master’s degrees held in English. The students will be selected on merit criteria. They will be provided with financial support during their application procedure for VISA, their arrival in Italy, and throughout the standard duration of their study programme.
Benefits
Beneficiaries of the UNICORE 2.0 project will benefit from full support in:
- pre-enrolling at the Italian Embassy in Ethiopia and carrying out immigration procedures;
- applying for admission to one of the Second Cycle degree programmes held in English at the University of Pisa, listed in Annex 2;
- integrating into the local students’ life and community.
Beneficiaries of the UNICORE 2.0 project at the University of Pisa will also receive specific financial benefits and support, consisting of:
- Full coverage of the expenses incurred in Ethiopia before the arrival in Italy (e.g. flight tickets, visa application and preparation of supporting document) covered by Caritas Italiana;
- € 3,000 per year covered by the University of Pisa, paid into instalments;
- Support in applying for Diritto allo studio Universitario (DSU Toscana) benefits.
In the event the beneficiary is not awarded the DSU benefits for the Academic Year 2020/2021 and/or 2021/2022, a supplementary grant of 3,000€ per academic year will be awarded by the University of Pisa in compliance with the merit requirements listed in the Call for applications:
- Free accommodation in a shared room from arrival to October 2020;
- Tuition fee exemption (still, the student must pay € 16 for the revenue stamp – amount subject to change for A.Y. 2020-21);
- Monthly allowance of 200 € for additional cost throughout the study programme duration, covered by the Waldensian Deaconship;
- Mentoring services in administrative, logistical and educational issues throughout the study programme, provided by the International Office and the teaching staff in charge of the project;
- A Buddy service to facilitate the integration in the local students’ life and community;
- Additional support from local partners signing the cooperation agreement.
Requirements
Application is open to candidates who:
- are residing in Ethiopia and have been recognized the refugee status/International Protection by UNHCR;
- hold a qualification valid for admission to the selected Second Cycle degree programme, issued by a higher education institution accredited in the Ethiopian higher education system. The qualification must be obtained between the year 2015 and the 20 May 2020 with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 according to the Ethiopian tertiary education grading system;
- are interested in one of the Master’s degree programmes held in English at the University of Pisa and meet the specific admission requirements.
Call and Annexes
• Call for applications
• Annex 1 – Application form
• Annex 2 – List of the Master’s degree programmes and entry requirements
• Final ranking list of selected candidates
• Candidates not selected