GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

INVEST YOUR TALENT IN ITALY

The "Invest Your Talent In Italy" program by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of University and Research in collaboration with ICE Agency and Uni-Italy aims to promote the internationalization of the Italian academic system as a center of excellence, offering foreign students opportunities for high-quality educational paths.

The program provides the opportunity to develop academic, technical, and professional skills through a series of Master's degrees and Master's programs in the areas of Engineering-High Technologies, Architecture-Design, Economics-Management, and through the activation of training internships at Italian companies.

The best Italian universities participating in the program offer courses entirely in English to increase job prospects in a competitive landscape. The program offers the opportunity for interested universities to host foreign talents from target markets, specialized in their operational sectors.

Through the Invest your Talent in Italy model, international students (from one of the 17 countries of strategic importance for Italy (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, People's Republic of China, Turkey, Tunisia, and Vietnam) have the opportunity to undergo classroom training at one of the participating Italian universities and to carry out an internship (approximately lasting 3 months and unpaid) at an Italian company.

In this way, the program promotes the internationalization of the Italian academic system as a center of excellence, stimulating synergies between universities and businesses.

The main requirements that universities must have if interested in participating are:

Universities participating in the Program:

In Memory of Giulia Cecchettin

Born and raised in Vigonovo, in the province of Venice, Giulia Cecchettin was attending the Biomedical Engineering course at the University of Padua. On the evening of November 11, 2023, Giulia was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. She was supposed to graduate on November 16.
Giulia's death has sparked a wave of deep emotion across Italy, catalyzing the country's outrage at the intolerable tragedy of femicides and triggering a broad collective reflection on the issue of gender-based violence. Her figure has spontaneously become the symbol of the Day against Violence against Women, celebrated with numerous initiatives and events throughout Italy on November 25, 2023, just a few days after her brutal murder.
Following the tragic events in Vigonovo, the Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, expressed the intention to dedicate a series of government scholarships to the memory of the young woman, intended for young international students "who come to study in Italy and dream what Giulia dreamed".
It was therefore decided to dedicate the "Invest Your Talent in Italy" program to the memory of Giulia Cecchettin.
To ensure that this gesture is not merely symbolic, starting from the academic year 2023-2024, the inclusion in the academic path of IYT scholarship holders of a seminar or training module dedicated to promoting gender equality and combating violence against women is planned.

ALUMNI FARNESINA


Alumni Farnesina is the network created in 2023 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in collaboration with Uni-Italia, to bring together all international students who have benefited from a scholarship offered by the Italian Government during their academic career.
It is a multilateral and multidisciplinary space that promotes dialogue and encourages exchange between old classmates and new friends.
The goal is to contribute to the enrichment of cultural, social, and economic relations between Italy and the communities to which the Alumni belong, to keep alive the bond between Italy and the international talents it has chosen to invest in.
Through the platform, Alumni will have the opportunity to network with other former MAECI scholarship recipients, both nationals and from other countries, and stay updated on activities and events organized by the network of Embassies, Consulates, and Italian Cultural Institutes worldwide.

It is possible to join the platform once the period of study as MAECI scholars is completed by clicking HERE.

The Alumni Farnesina app is also available for iOS and Android systems.

INAUGURATION OF UNI-ITALIA CENTRES IN MOROCCO

Uni-Italia Association is pleased to announce the inauguration of its two Centres in Morocco. The prestigious event took place on the 17th of January at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, His Excellency Armando Barucco.
Uni-Italia was established on July 30, 2010, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Universities and Research and the Ministry of the Interior, the CRUI and ITA-Italian Trade Agency, with the aim of promoting the “Study in Italy” and for this purpose offers guidance to international students and researchers interested in pursuing their studies in Italy. Specifically, its services also include the assistance during the pre-enrolment phase. With a consolidated presence in China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Iran and Vietnam, Uni-Italia is committed to facilitating the attraction of international talents towards Italian higher education institutions and to promoting academic cooperation with other countries.
Uni-Italia’s centres in Morocco are in Rabat, at the Italian Embassy, and in Casablanca at the Italian Consulate General. They play a key role in facilitating students interested in pursuing their studies in Italy. This commendable initiative will contribute to the dissemination of Italian culture and language.
In addition, Uni-Italia is excited to announce its participation in the most famous recruitment fair in Morocco, the “Forum International de l’Etudiant”, on the 18th of January, in Rabat, and on the 19th and 20th in Casablanca.
The participation of more than 10 Italian universities to this fair underline a significant interest, also considering that this is Uni-Italia's first year of activity in the country. This represents a hope that in the coming years this focus will grow even further, highlighting the prospect of an increasingly broad and fruitful future of academic cooperation and student mobility between Italy and Morocco.
Uni-Italia Centres worldwide play a pivotal role in providing assistance and guidance to students interested in starting or continuing their studies in Italy. This laudable initiative, by contributing to the dissemination of Italian culture and language, will be a significant step forward in the promotion and consolidation of the Italian cultural heritage in the Country. The strengthening of academic cooperation between Italy and Morocco will be a flywheel for the enhancement of Italian Moroccan cultural relations.

Analysis and Figures

ITALIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION


One of the three pillars of the Association is the promotion of Study in Italy. Uni-Italia participates in and organizes various types of events to promote the Italian Higher Education System and contribute to the internationalization of higher education. Participation in the most important international education fairs facilitates the dual objective of promoting the mobility of students and researchers from around the world to Italy and strengthening the international academic cooperation of our country, allowing universities, academies, conservatories, and Italian language schools to interact with representatives of educational systems from various countries within an Italian space or Pavilion.

Promotional events are therefore distinguished into two main areas:

- International students recruiting fairs (B2C)
- Networking events among international academic institutions (B2B)

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS RECRUITING FAIRS

Among the most successful recruiting events, Uni-Italia organizes the Italian Days on Higher Education, promotional days born from collaboration with Embassies, Consulates, and Italian Cultural Institutes worldwide, to facilitate meetings between representatives of Italian universities, academies, and conservatories, and foreign students directly in their home countries. These events take place in countries where Uni-Italia has one or more Centers. The Italian Days on Higher Education can be associated with other events on higher education and student mobility organized by third parties, often preceding them by a few days, such as International Education Fairs, or they can be organized in those countries where such fairs are rarer, representing a valid response to the absence of a structured fair and a great opportunity for local students, universities, and Italian academies.

These days aim to promote Italy as a Country System. They allow individual students to meet representatives of participating educational institutions, obtain information about active courses, requirements, registration methods, and timelines, but also to be involved in edutainment activities aimed at learning the Italian language and culture, even interacting with representatives of the Italian System locally as a whole.

In addition to these events, supplementary activities are also organized to enhance and support the development of relationships between Italian universities and academies and academic institutions in the countries where the events take place, thus creating a unique opportunity for exchange to achieve mobility agreements.

SEMINARS AND TAILORING

Various activities are carried out consistently throughout the calendar year. Among the many proposals put forward, there are opportunities to organize seminars to promote the Italian higher education system tout court, either through Uni-Italia's organization or participation in webinars dedicated to the "Study in Italy" (as occurred for the Philippines, Argentina, Singapore, and Turkey in 2023) or though participation in panel discussions hosted by universities, institutes, or colleges, aimed at selected students.
Upon direct request from Italian institutions interested in concrete promotion, specific sessions are set up, such as seminars between Italian and foreign universities, webinars with students, live interviews through Uni-Italia's platforms and social media with professors and admission officers, during which students can interact through Q&As, etc.

ROADSHOWS

Masterclass sessions at local universities and High schools planned and coordinated by Uni-Italia, in cities where Uni-Italia has a center.

These events may take place alongside other recruitment fairs or institutional visits by university staff and AFAM institutes, as well as being planned in coordination with institutions according to the internal calendar of each university/institute.

These are ad hoc tours lasting up to 8/10 days, during which institutions have the opportunity to intensively engage with genuine students from specific disciplines or faculties belonging to prestigious colleges or institutions selected by Uni-Italia. Through these activities, universities and AFAM institutes have the opportunity to present their educational offerings comprehensively, conduct intensive workshops with student classes, inform them about the selection process of the Italian institution, possible job prospects, success stories, potential application procedures, and more.

In countries considered of strategic interest, Uni-Italia offers sponsorship and total support, mediated and logistical, to important student recruitment fairs, in order to enhance informational offerings possibly by attracting additional institutions or greater visibility.

Upon request from the Italian Cultural Institutes, Uni-Italia assists and cooperates in promoting events and their development. Among the various forms of sponsorship, confirmed collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Bogotà, the organizer of the successful Aula Italia fair, now in its 4th edition in 2024. New and fruitful collaborations are always expected with other providers and international agents.

Fairs promoted by foreign governmental bodies, such as the China Education Expo (CEE) and the China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET), are important exhibition moments where various international entities, with the endorsement of the host countries' governments, promote and support the internationalization of higher education.

Events like Study in Europe and European Higher Education Fairs (EHEF) are organized worldwide by the European Commission and EU delegations present on-site. The aim of both projects is to showcase to students worldwide what European higher education institutions have to offer. The European Commission and EU delegations on the ground provide information on the organization and funding of study and research periods abroad in the 33 European countries, members of the Erasmus+ program, and act as intermediaries with European higher education organizations to connect with potential students and partner organizations. Uni-Italia, as a stakeholder of the Study in Europe Consortium, actively participates in exhibition activities promoting the country.

Private providers manage international fairs for student recruitment and tailor-made promotional campaigns worldwide. With hundreds of events organized every year, private providers connect higher education institutions from around the world with potential students from countries worldwide.
Uni-Italia regularly collaborates with some of the most famous private providers in countries considered of strategic interest. Some synergies between Uni-Italia and these providers allow advantageous discounts for Italian institutions participating with the Association.

NETWORKING EVENTS

The second major strand of activities organized and/or supported by Uni-Italia aims to facilitate the creation and enhancement of relationships between Italian and international institutions in the field of higher education.

Participation in such events is supported, where possible, by the organization of the "Study in Italy - Uni-Italia" pavilion allowing Italian Higher Education Institutions to benefit from a dedicated stage to present themselves to foreign stakeholders as part of the Italian System.
During these events, participating institutions have the opportunity to showcase their programs, services, and opportunities for academic collaboration, as well as to establish contacts with potential international partners. Participants also have the chance to attend seminars, workshops, and presentations aimed at sharing ideas and best practices.

Uni-Italia staff organizes and attends the pavilion, assisting participating Italian institutions and providing general information to international visitors.
Additionally, on these occasions, Uni-Italia organizes social events in collaboration with Italian Diplomatic Missions on-site, to which all Italian institutions participating in the pavilion and their foreign partners are invited to attend.

Among the most important networking events worldwide, the following stand out:

Among regional networking events, Uni-Italia participates in:

Activities of Uni-Italia abroad

Uni-Italia boasts a widespread presence in third countries through centers located at Italian diplomatic-consular Missions and Italian Cultural Institutes around the world, a Regional Hub as well as a EU Liaison office located in Brussels.

UNI-ITALIA CENTERS ABROAD

Through its Centers abroad, Uni-Italia promotes the Italian educational system directly in the territories where it operates by organizing and/or participating in promotional events organized by third parties, with the aim of attracting international students to Italy and facilitating Italian academic Institutions in international cooperation activities.
Additionally, through its Centers abroad, Uni-Italia provides support and guidance to all international students interested in pursuing higher education in Italy.
Finally, by collaborating with Italian Cultural Institutes, Embassies and Consulates, Uni-Italia Centers actively promote the Italian language, culture, and various excellences of Italy as a country system.

Uni-Italia is currently present in the following countries: 

  • China (Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou); 
  • India (Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru); 
  • Indonesia (Jakarta),
  • Iran (Tehran); 
  • Morocco (Rabat, Casablanca); 
  • Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City). 
    This latter also works as regional hub with competence on Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines, and with promotional activities conducted in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea

Promotional activities
Among the promotional activities organized by Uni-Italia Centers abroad:

1) the Italian Days on Higher Education (IDOHE):
Promotion days for the Italian education system, resulting from collaboration with Embassies, Consulates, and Italian Cultural Institutes worldwide, aimed at facilitating interactions between representatives of Italian universities, academies, conservatories, and international students in their home countries.
These days aim to promote Italy as a country system. They allow individual students to meet with representatives of participating educational institutions, obtain information on available courses, requirements, enrollment procedures and timelines, as well as engage in activities to learn about Italian language and culture.
Furthermore, these events are organized to enhance and support the development of relationships between Italian academic institutions and academic institutions in the countries where the events take place, thus creating a unique opportunity for exchange to reach mobility agreements.

2) Custom promotional tours:
Ad hoc promotion days for individual Universities/AFAM Institutes in local academic institutions  selected by Uni-Italia, aimed at bringing Italian academic know-how into students' classrooms through specific masterclasses, workshops, seminars conducted by professors and/or professionals representing Italian academic excellence.

3) Online activities: webinars, open days, Instagram Lives.
In addition to in-person promotional activities, Uni-Italia promotes the Italian education system through a series of online activities, with a triple purpose:

  • provide international student audiences with all kinds of information on new available study courses, call for applications, etc.;
  • create a direct online link between aspiring students and international students currently in Italy;
  • allow Italian universities/AFAM to promote themselves directly using Uni-Italia's official communication channels and/or initiate a dialogue with local academic institutions if unable to travel abroad.

Orientation and assistance activities for international students
In addition to the promotional activities listed above, Uni-Italia Centers abroad offer "Study Guidance" services designed to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their academic journeys. 

This orientation service includes:

  • information on the functioning of the Italian academic system, educational offerings of individual universities and academies, pre-enrollment course availability and application procedures;
  • information on the availability and application procedures for scholarships offered by individual universities and Afam Institutions, the Italian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and local entities for the right to study;
  • information on life in Italy and useful updates on bureaucratic procedures to be faced upon arrival (residence permit and renewal, health insurance, tax code, etc.). Students interested in receiving orientation from Uni-Italia staff abroad can either go directly to the center or contact them by email or phone.

All students who wish to get in touch with Uni-Italia offices abroad may visit the following link

EU LIASON OFFICE IN BRUXELLES

In addition to the Uni-Italia Centers around the world, which primarily focus on promotional and orienteering activities for international students, Uni-Italia is also Uni-Italia also maintains a presence in Brussels with an office dedicated to strengthening liaison with the Institutions of the European Union.

The main tasks of Uni-Italia-EU Liaison Office are the following:

  • involvement in the EU decision policy making process, by means the predisposition of position papers and the activities of advocacy and multilevel lobbying;
  • branding and marketing activities at European level;
  • funds raising activity to identify the financial resources coming from the EU programmes (direct/indirect management) and by means the use of the tenders, grants and financial instruments;
  • monitoring the EU policy developments within the sectors of education, research and innovation.
  • providing information on European higher education policy to the stakeholders interested
  • participating in the meeting with the European Commission to provide technical contribution on specific initiatives during the EU programmes’ implementation period;
  • participating in the informal networks at European level;
  • participating in the technical WGs at national and European level;
  • scouting of projects’ partners;
  • organising events in Brussels on topics related to the education, research and innovation;
  • welcoming delegations from Italian higher education institutions and from Uni-Italia;
  • organising training courses in Brussels devoted to the technical staff of the HEIs and Uni-Italia to deepen some specific domain of interest.

THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OF UNI-ITALIA

The Scientific Committee of Uni-Italia is the advisory body of the Association, composed of numerous Italian Universities and AFAM Institutes, whose activity consists of analyzing and proposing actions aimed at developing the internationalization process of Higher Education.
It meets periodically as a place for discussion and scientific exchange to support ministries in implementing internationalization policies and therefore policies to attract international students, highlighting best practices and issues.

It operates through working groups - some of them temporary - to draft analyses and studies on topics of interest to the Board of Directors, especially the founding ministries.

Finally, it proposes solutions for strengthening academic cooperation, international mobility of students and researchers from universities and artistic and musical institutes worldwide, through the production of documents and contextual analyses.

President of the Scientific Committee: Prof. Vincenzo Mannino, formerly Vice-Rector for International Relations at Roma Tre University and, since November 2022, appointed responsible for managing institutional relations for the Italian Minister of Education.

Vice President of the Scientific Committee: Dora Longoni, Head of Education and Student Affairs at the University of Milano-Bicocca, previously responsible for internationalisation departments at the University of Padua and the Politecnico di Milano.

INSTITUTES THAT ARE PART OF IT:

WHERE WE ARE

In addition to its headquarters in Rome, located at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Uni-Italia is present with its offices within the premises of the Italian Embassies and Consulates of several countries such as China (Beijing, Shanghai, Canton, Chongqing), India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru), Indonesia (Jakarta), Iran (Teheran), Marocco (Rabat, Casablanca), Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh).
The latter center serves also as a Regional Hub with competence on Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea.
Additional Centers will be opened in other strategic countries, such as Turkey, Central Asia, and the sub-Saharan Africa area.

Finally, Uni-Italia has a Liaison Office with the EU in Brussels, aimed at facilitating fundraising and advocacy activities to increase and strengthen Italian participation in European networks.

Italy

Uni-Italia Headquarters, c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
P.le della Farnesina, 1 - 00135 Roma (RM)

Instagram: Uni_italia_official
Facebook: Uni-Italia Rome
X: @Uni_Italia


Cina 

Head of Uni-Italia China Offices: Xing Jianjung

  • Beijing
    Address: Uni-Italia Office, c/o Embassy of Italy in Beijing
    San Li Tun, 2 Dong Er Jie - 100600 Pechino
    Ph: +86 10 65325039
    Fax: +86 10 65325072
    E-mail: beijing@uni-italia.it
  • Shanghai
    Address: Uni-Italia Office, c/o Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai
    The Center, 19 floor, Unit 7/11 n. 989, ChangLe Road 200031 Shanghai
    Ph: +86 21 65965900/116
    Fax: +86 21 64716977
    E-mail: shanghai@uni-italia.it
  • Canton
    Address: Uni-Italia Office, c/o Consulate General of Italy in Canton
    Unit 1403, International Finance Place (IFP), No.8 Huaxia Road, Pearl River New City, 510623, Guangzhou
    Ph: +86 20 38396225141
    Fax: +86 20 85506370
    E-mail: guangzhou@uni-italia.it
  • Chongqing
    Address: Uni-Italia Office, c/o Consulate General of Italy in Chongqing
    188, Min Zu Road, World Financial Centre (WFC), 49 Piano, 400010 Chongqing
    Ph: +86 23 63319092
    E-mail: chongqing@uni-italia.it

WeChat: Uni-Italia


India

Head of Uni-Italia India Offices: Arkaprabha Biswas

  • New Delhi
    Address: Uni-Italia office, c/o Embassy of Italy in New Delhi
    Istituto di Cultura Gate, 50E Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021
    HP/WhatsApp : +91 99586 97396
    Email: newdelhi@uni-italia.it

Indonesia

Head of Uni-Italia Indonesia Office: Romero Sinaga

Instagram: uni_italia_id
Facebook: Uni-Italia Indonesia
X: @UniItalia


Iran

Head of Uni-Italia Iran Office: Khatereh Faramarziha

  • Teheran
    Address: Uni-Italia Office, at "Pietro della Valle" Italian School of Tehran
    n.47, Shahid Dr. Lavassni (Farmaniyeh) Ave., Tehran, Iran, P.O.BOX 19546 – 559
    Ph: +98 21 26149768
    Fax: +98 21 22286501
    E-mail: iran@uni-italia.it

Instagram: uniitaliairan


MOROCCO

Head of Uni-Italia Morocco Offices: Najate Es Sadeqy

  • Rabat 
    Address: Uni-Italia, c/o Ambassade d’Italie au Maroc 
    2, Zankat Idriss Al Ahzar 
    Ph: +212 662515055
    E-mail: rabat@uni-italia.it
  • Casablanca 
    Address: Uni-Italia, c/o CONSULAT GENERAL D’ITALIE A CASABLANCA 
    21, Avenue Hassan Souktani - 20000 Casablanca 
    Ph: +212 662515052
    E-mail: casablanca@uni-italia.it

Instagram Uni-Italia Marocco
Facebook uni_Italia_marocco
X: @marocco_uni


VIETNAM - REGIONAL HUB

Countries of competence: Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. 

Head of Uni-Italia Vietnam Office: Tranhong Hanh

  • Hanoi
    Uni-Italia Office, c/o Embassy of Italy in Hanoi
    9 Le Phung Hieu - Hoan Kiem - Hanoi – Vietnam
    Ph: +84 24 38240579
    E-mail: vietnam@uni-italia.it

Facebook: Uni-Italia Vietnam


EU LIASON OFFICE

  • Bruxelles
    Head of Uni-Italia EU Liason office: Maria Rinaldi
    maria.rinaldi@uni-italia.it

ORGANISATION CHART

President
Francesco Profumo

Secretary General
Annalisa Di Calisto

Board Members:
Filippo La Rosa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation)
Gianluigi Consoli (Ministry of University and Research)
Sabina Madaro (Ministry of Interior) 
Giampaolo Azzoni (Ministry of Education and Merit)
Matteo Zoppas (ITA Agency)
John Francis McCourt (Conference of Italian University Rectors)
Riccardo di Stefano (Confindustria)
Sebastiano Salvatore Vizzini

Board of Trustees:
Maurizio Melani – President
Stefania Bariatti
Giovanni Rovetta

Offices

  • Office of Promotion and Marketing
  • Office of Projects and International Partnerships
  • Office of Information on Studying in Italy
  • Communication Office
  • Office of Administration, Control, and Procurement
  • Brussels Liaison Office
  • General Secretariat
  • Liaison Office to the Ministry of University and Research