A delegation from the University of Pisa took part in the fifth edition of the Erasmus+ International Staff Week organized by the University of Jordan in Amman (4-8 May 2025) within the framework of the COMMO Consortium (COoperation in Mediterranean and Balkans through MObility). The event brought together over 60 participants from 23 universities in 13 countries, aiming to strengthen international dialogue and establish sustainable academic partnerships.
COMMO, an initiative promoted by UNIMED (Union of Mediterranean Universities), supports academic mobility between Italian universities and partner institutions in countries such as Albania, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco and others in the Mediterranean area, with the aim of internationalising higher education and strengthening robust academic networks.
The week in Amman was celebrated as “a festival of cooperation” by Sameh Al-Zubiedi, the Director of the International Affairs Unit at the University of Jordan. The Rector Nathir Obeidat reiterated the university’s commitment to internationalisation, while the EU Ambassador to Jordan, Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, highlighted the crucial role of the Erasmus+ programme in fostering mutual understanding between Europe and the Middle East.
The University of Pisa participated with a delegation of 12 members, including both lecturers and administrative technical-staff, selected through an open call of UNIMED. The representatives took part in sessions on topics such as academic mobility, sustainability, Erasmus+ good practices, and had the opportunity to present projects and initiatives of the University of Pisa, as well as to participate in guided tours and networking events. In addition to academic aspects, the week included cultural activities and an international university fair, with significant moments of human and cultural exchange.
“I firmly believe that participating in events like this Erasmus+ Staff Week in Jordan is a wonderful opportunity and even a duty for those belonging to the academic world,” commented Professor Tarita Biver, Area Coordinator for Internationalisation at the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, among the participants in the Staff Week. “Opening up to the world is an essential part of the university mission. This experience has shown us how the Mediterranean continues to be a point of contact between peoples and cultures.
The Prorector Giovanni Federico Gronchi highlighted the strategic importance of academic cooperation in Jordan, recalling the long tradition of the University of Pisa in managing Erasmus+ projects and joint initiatives such as the BASE project (Bologna for Science Education in Palestine and Jordan): “In Jordan, we have strong and diverse collaborations ranging from scientific research to academic training, having also participated, in 2018, in the signing ceremony of the agreement between Italy and Jordan to enhance university cooperation between the two countries. The Amman experience is a crucial step towards a deepening Mediterranean academic integration, centred on education, research, and sustainable development.
The delegation from Pisa included: Dr. Lorenza Bizzari, Prof. Tarita Biver, Dr. Maria Caccamo, Dr. Martina Calamusa, Prof. Pietro Ducange, Dr. Tania Farci, Prof. Elisabetta Ferraro, Prof. Stefania Giannarelli, Prof. Nicola Perilli, Dr. Anna Maria Pulina, Dr. Emanuele Taccola, and Dr. Chiara Tarantino.
