National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 1 “Strengthening the Provision of educational Services: from Nursery Schools to Universities” – Investment 3.4 “Advanced University Teaching and Skills” – Sub-investment T4 “Transnational Initiatives in education,” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
The University of Padua participates in 4 TNE projects funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan - Pnrr. The Transnational Educational Initiatives (TNE) have as their general objective the promotion of cooperation with foreign University Institutions in order to encourage the internationalization of Italian Universities and promote the Italian higher education model as best practice at an international level.
To participate in one of the Advanced Training Programmes, you must apply through the call for applications for the allocation of places, referring to the information provided in the factsheet for the specific programme.
the programme outlined in this call may be subject to minor adjustments. The final and official version will be communicated to the selected participants upon completion of the selection process.<
Project Cooridnator: Alma Mater Sudiorum - Università di Bologna
Start date 01/10/2024 – End date 31/03/2026 (18 months)
Project Objectives
HerIt4Future aims to enhance collaboration and synergies among partner institutions in Italy and Latin America (LATAM) to develop innovative transnational education programs focused on Heritage. Partner universities will engage in collective reflection on the diverse meanings and impacts of a profound understanding, preservation, and promotion of cultural and natural heritage, contributing to the design of innovative solutions for global challenges. These impacts span various domains, from inclusive education to public health, sustainable development to environmental protection, and digital transformation to migration.
Given their shared cultural heritage, reinforced by the presence of significant Italian-descendant communities in LATAM, universities in both regions have fostered strong, enduring partnerships. These collaborations involve a broad range of stakeholders committed to preserving and advancing a legacy that transcends generations. Since 1998, the Project Coordinator (UniBO) has maintained a permanent representation in Buenos Aires (Representación en la República Argentina - Centro de Altos Estudios de la Università di Bologna). Building on this foundation, HerIt4Future seeks to elevate these collaborations by intensifying internationalization efforts through the joint planning and implementation of innovative academic programs.
Specific Objectives (SO)
SO1: Establish an inclusive and diverse mobility program for students and academic staff between Italy and LATAM.
SO2: Develop and implement innovative joint second- and third-cycle academic programs with partner universities.
SO3: Create a structured framework for joint Advanced Skills Courses (ASCs).
SO4: Set up two hubs in Latin America to serve as focal points for project activities and ensure long-term sustainability beyond the project's duration.
Implementation Strategy
The mobility program (SO1) will leverage existing collaborations to provide participants with robust administrative support and ensure mentorship for students during their international experiences. A rigorous selection process will uphold the program's quality, fostering inclusivity in terms of gender and socio-economic diversity.
In exploring the multifaceted nature of heritage, partner institutions will collaboratively design innovative educational programs (SO2) that emphasize mutual learning. These programs will primarily target Master’s and PhD students, with a specific focus on doctoral studies related to digital and green transitions.
The joint Advanced Skills Courses (SO3) will cater to early-career researchers, university staff, and former students/professionals interested in lifelong learning. These courses will be conducted in both Italy and LATAM, ensuring accessibility and knowledge exchange across regions.
The academic excellence of SO1, SO2, and SO3 will be reinforced through the thematic specialization of the Work Packages (WPs, see 3.1), designed to offer interdisciplinary, well-structured, and diverse learning opportunities.
To support long-term impact, SO4 entails the establishment of two teaching and learning hubs: one in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Hub1 - Cono Sur) and another in Cuenca, Ecuador (Hub2 - Andes). These hubs will coordinate activities within two major geographical regions in LATAM—the Southern Cone and the Andean region—providing the necessary infrastructure, logistics, and facilities to ensure the project's successful implementation.
Partners
Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna; Politecnico di Torino, Università di Brescia, Università della Calabria, Università di Messina, Università di Napoli Federico II, Università di Padova, Università di Pavia, Università del Salento+ 69 università di Argentina, Brasile, Cile Colombia, Cuba, Equador, Messico, Perù, Uruguay
Project Coordinator: Interuniversitario Italiano per l’Argentina (CUIA)
Start date: 01/10/2024 – End date: 31/03/2026 (18 months)
Project Objectives
General Objectives
A. Strengthen the Italian higher education system in Argentina and contribute to the consolidation of the European Higher Education Area, in line with the Bologna Declaration and subsequent inter-ministerial communications. B. Enhance the attractiveness and interest in the Italian higher education system in Argentina, promoting it as a model of international higher education. C. Support guidelines and strategies derived from bilateral government agreements on higher education, cultural and scientific cooperation, as well as directives from the EU, OECD, UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) principle.
Project Lines
The following project lines will effectively contribute to achieving the general objectives described above:
TNE Double/Joint Degree
Encourage the joint implementation of academic courses, introducing double degrees and co-supervised doctorates between Italian and Argentinian universities. This initiative will promote a balanced territorial distribution between the two countries and ensure the participation of universities of different sizes. Given the structural differences between the two higher education systems, it is crucial to develop comparative frameworks. Studies on the recognition of Italian and Argentinian university qualifications, the integration of joint programs, and the co-supervision of doctoral theses will be conducted. Unlike Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Italy has yet to formalize a reference framework in this regard. This project line will contribute to objectives A, B, and C.
TNE Professors/Researchers
Promote bilateral cooperation in teaching, research, and knowledge and skills transfer through a mobility program for professors and researchers, embedded in research projects of mutual interest. This strategy will strengthen the European Higher Education and Research Area, enhancing scientific and cultural cooperation between Italian and Argentinian academic institutions. Additionally, it will identify new international collaborations and consolidate existing networks. This project line will contribute to objectives A and C.
TNE Students
Bring talented Argentinian students closer to the academic life of Italian degree programs and vice versa. The mobility program will encourage participation in Italian university courses, allowing students to attend classes, take exams, and obtain academic credits. This mobility scheme aligns with internationalization indicators for higher education set by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and will gradually enhance integration between the Argentinian and Italian academic systems. This project line will contribute to objectives A and B.
TNE Advanced Skills
Organize joint educational activities in Argentina and/or Italy, selecting the most suitable territorial and academic context to achieve educational objectives. Italian and Argentinian professors will collaborate to ensure high-quality standards in the courses offered. The initiative aims to share knowledge and skills, foster cultural and professional growth, and promote innovation and experimental development in scientific and social fields of mutual interest. This project line will contribute to objectives A and B.
An information system, integrated with digital tools, will monitor project line outcomes, providing data on quantitative indicators and impacts, thereby contributing to the creation of a mutual learning platform.
Partners
Consorzio Interuniversitario, Italiano per l’Argentina, Università degli Studi del Molise, Università degli Studi Messina, Università degli Studi di Torino, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Sapienza Università di Roma, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Università degli studi della Tuscia, Università degli Studi di Padova, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Università degli Studi di BARI Aldo Moro, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Università Politecnica delle Marche + 52 università argentine
UnITAFRICA is an initiative led by 21 Italian universities within the University Network for Development Cooperation (CUCS). The project strategically engages 93 university institutions across 18 African countries to foster joint education, research, and international academic collaboration aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of higher education.
To achieve these goals, the project promotes academic mobility, facilitating physical participation in training programs for students and faculty, as well as thesis research opportunities for master's and PhD students. Additionally, innovative teaching methodologies such as "learning by doing," "job shadowing," and hybrid learning models (both virtual and in-person) will be adopted, encouraging a co-design approach between Italian and African partner universities.
A key focus is also placed on training administrative staff to ensure the necessary support for academic cooperation. The broader objective is to strengthen academic partnerships between Italy and Africa, reinforce educational systems, enhance student inclusion, foster intercultural exchange, and develop multidisciplinary knowledge transfer through student and faculty mobility. Moreover, the project seeks to introduce innovative educational approaches for sustainable academic development.
Activities:
Establishment of the UnITAFRICA Alliance between 21 Italian universities and 93 African universities.
Development of a Platform for Innovative Teaching (PIT) and a dedicated project website.
Promotion of international mobility programs.
Educational programs targeting Master’s and PhD students.
Advanced skills courses for faculty members and early-career researchers.
Training programs for administrative staff to support academic collaboration.
Thematic Courses Offered in Africa & Italy:
a) Rural development, land management, agrifood, and food supply chains. b) Health, water sanitation, hygiene, and One Health approach. c) Sustainable energy, environmental conservation, and natural resource management. d) Entrepreneurship and industrial development for local economic growth. e) Cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism. f) Social sciences and humanities.
Key Goals:
Higher Education, Capacity Building, Science Diplomacy & International Cooperation
a) Establishing guidelines and best practices for effective teaching methodologies. b) Developing joint training programs between Italian and African universities. c) Promoting the adoption of innovative teaching strategies. d) Enhancing the internationalization of both Italian and African higher education institutions. e) Redefining the role of science in human development and growth through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Partners
Università di Brescia (Coorinator), Politecnico di Milano, Università di Bergamo, Università Alma Mater Studiorum di Bologna, Università di Firenze, Università La Statale di Milano, Università di Padova, Università di Parma, Università di Pavia, Università di Pisa, Università di Torino, Università di Trento, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Università di Verona, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Università della Basilicata, Università di Messina, Università Federico II di Napoli, Università di Genova, Università di Udine + 93 African Universities of the Sub-saharian area.
Project Coordinator: Fondazione per la Formazione Universitaria in Paesi Africani (Fondazione IHEA)
Project Objectives
General Objective
The project seeks to establish Italy-Africa scientific hubs to support long-term cooperation in education and research while fostering the development of Italy-Africa scientific ambassadors, thereby providing policy recommendations to strengthen scientific diplomacy.
Specific Objectives
Enhancing innovative educational potential through a mutual learning process.
Fostering effective international research capacity for PhD students to support joint research initiatives, co-supervision, co-authorship, and open-source tool sharing.
SHARE_AFRICA will develop a high-quality educational portfolio, co-designed with African partners.
This portfolio will include six inter-university specialization master's programs (60 ECTS each), covering key topics for both Africa and Italy.
The themes will be aligned with the EU’s six structural missions for the PNRR, as well as resilience and the ecological and digital transition.
SHARE_AFRICA’s research mobility program will be based on the joint identification of research topics, aligned with the educational portfolio.
Work Package (WP) Structure
To achieve these objectives, the project is structured into three main types of work packages (WP):
Core Work Packages (WP2, WP3, WP4): Addressing the two specific objectives.
Sustainability Work Packages (WP5, WP6): Ensuring the project's long-term impact.
Cross-cutting Work Packages (WP1, WP7): Providing overall coordination and transversal activities.
SHARE_AFRICA represents a strategic initiative for strengthening scientific collaboration between Italy and Africa, promoting innovation in education, research, and policy development within an international framework.
Partners
Fondazione per la Formazione Universitaria in Paesi Africani (Fondazione IHEA), Politecnico di Milano, Università degli studi di Bologna, Università degli studi di Firenze, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Università degli studi di Padova, Università degli studi di Roma “La Sapienza”
