Cooperation: Italian Ambassador visits UDs

A pivot for fostering ties

Dschang,UDs/SIC-25/02/25.The Arrival of the Italian Ambassador to Cameroon H.E Filippo Scammca del Murgo was marked with a warm reception at the esplanade of the Rectorate of the University of Dschang by the Rector of the University, Prof Roger Tsafack Nanfosso, members of the Rectorate Council and key University dignitaries today, 25^th February 2025. This reception was followed by a working session between the Italian Ambassador and university dignitaries at the Fotso Victor Conference hall with the aim of fostering cooperation ties.

The Rector, Prof Roger Tsafack Nanfossoin his speech welcomed the Ambassador and his delegation, while tracing the cooperation ties that has existed between the University of Dschang and Italy dating back as 1995 which saw the creation of the trilingual department at the Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences. The ties have been fostered with the teaching of the Italian language and culture over the years in the institution and is worth nothing that UDs has established links with the University of Udine, Università di Perugia, University of Urbino, University of Rome Tor Vergata among others in the domains of biomedical sciences, pharmacy, Kinesiotherapy, agriculture, pedagogy just to name a few.

This robust cooperation bond has made UDs an applaudable reference, being the only University in the Country with a Doctor in Kinesiotherapy trained in Italy. UDs, however, sustains a very good ERASMUS connection with Italy and this serves as a platform for the lecturer and student mobility. Furthermore, UDs is involved in an outreach societal approach programme with Italy dealing in renewable energy and access to portable water in rural areas. With its Italian language Centre, UDs stand as a reputable and a pioneer having a host of cooperation links which trains experts since 2006.

 H.E. Mr. Filippo SCAMMACA DEL MURGO on his part applauded the continuous collaboration with UDs stating that the Italian government is poised at ensuring training and continuous mobility in universities in Africa. He stated that the teaching of the Italian language has made Dschang a pioneer to follow .He commended the availability of over 20 scholarships by the Italian government and stated that Africa must be handled with unique preference “The idea is to use cooperation for development, but also Africa must be treated differently today” the Ambassador stated. In addition, he also mentioned his wish to see more and more Cameroonians express themselves in Italian “I hope that Italian language will be spoken more and more in Cameroon”.  The Ambassador praised the quality of training in UDs, “you have students here who speak like Italian even though they have never been to Italy« .

After the working session the Italian Ambassador was guided to the Kinesiotherapy Unit of the Dschang General District Hospital, the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Italian Language Center of the Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences. Here, he had an exchange session and was acquainted with the faculties and possible areas of cooperation. There is hope in the horizon for a fruitful bond in the years ahead between UDs and Italy/.