The External Relations Department at the Islamic University of Gaza recently participated in the opening meeting of an international exchange project with Siena University in Italy. The project, which is funded by the Erasmus Plus program, is set to run from 2022 to 2025. The meeting was held online, with the project team at Siena University represented by Professor Fabio Magnani, Professor Nadia Marcatini, and Ms. Candida Calvo. The Islamic University team was represented by Engineer Amani Al-Maqadma, the Head of the External Relations Department, and Ms. Walaa Safi, the Coordinator of International Exchange Projects. Also present were external relations teams from other Palestinian partner universities, including Birzeit University, Hebron University, Al-Quds University, Bethlehem University, and Al-Quds Open University.
During the meeting, Professor Marcatini expressed her pleasure in maintaining a sustainable partnership with Palestinian universities, which have participated in international exchange projects with Siena University since 2015.
Ms. Candida Calvo provided an overview of Siena University, including the available specializations for exchange with Palestinian universities, the available opportunities for each university, the exchange period, and the budget allocated for the opportunities.
Ms. Miri Calvelli from the Italian Center for Cultural Exchange spoke about the visa application process and the support provided by the center to facilitate the process.
Ms. Safi shared the previous successful experience of hosting the first international exchange student from Italy at the Islamic University of Gaza in the Faculty of Medicine, student Riccardo Corradini. She expressed her confidence that the Islamic University could host international students from Siena University in the current exchange project.
The opening meeting for the international exchange project between the Islamic University of Gaza and Siena University was a success. The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange information and ideas and pave the way for the successful implementation of the project activities. This project represents an important opportunity for students and staff of both universities to gain valuable international experience, broaden their horizons, and strengthen the bonds of cooperation and friendship between the two institutions.