The Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, visited Pisa today, where she was welcomed by Rector Riccardo Zucchi, to greet Aya, the first Palestinian student hosted by the University of Pisa through the university humanitarian corridors established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI), in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Jerusalem.
“I came to Pisa to meet Professor Casella, following the events of a few weeks ago,” said Bernini, “and above all to welcome the student Aya, whom we brought last week from Amman through the first university humanitarian corridor opened in Europe. I wish to thank Rector Zucchi for hosting her. I am very happy to see her here, so full of joy. I saw her there and now I see her here, and I must say it is quite a change of scenery. We have brought 39 Palestinian students, visiting professors and researchers to 15 Italian universities, but that is not enough: the corridor remains open, and we will continue to welcome more. In total, the rectors have offered 170 grants. We believe in scientific, cultural and academic diplomacy as the best way to build dialogue and peace.”
Aya Almaghari arrived in Italy from Gaza via Amman, Jordan, on 1 October and has begun attending the English-taught Master’s Degree Programme in Exploration and Applied Geophysics at the Department of Earth Sciences.
During her visit, Minister Bernini also reaffirmed her solidarity with Professor Rino Casella following the incident that took place at the University on 16 September and his subsequent report of assault. “From the very beginning, I expressed my support for him,” Bernini recalled. “As a liberal, I believe it is essential to uphold freedom of thought and expression, both within and beyond the university, with one clear and inviolable boundary: there can be no place for physical or verbal violence, for that is no longer freedom of expression but coercion—and a criminal offence.”
“We were very pleased to welcome the Minister’s visit,” commented Riccardo Zucchi, Rector of the University of Pisa, “who, in addition to expressing her closeness to Professor Casella, wished to personally greet Aya. The Italian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the development of this project, which will soon bring more students to our University.”
