Bocconi Joins University Corridors for Refugees

Bocconi is taking part in the University Corridors for Refugees (UNI-CO-RE) project, thanks to which 24 Italian universities will give 43 refugees the opportunity to continue their academic career in Italy. Students will be selected on the basis of merit and motivation, through a public call for proposals launched today. 

The University Corridors for Refugees project, now in its third edition, offers refugees residing in Ethiopia the opportunity to enter Italy on a legal and secure basis to continue their studies. This aligns with UNHCR's goal of strengthening channels of entry for refugees and of reaching an enrollment rate in higher education programs of 15% in countries of first asylum and developing countries. 

"The project aims to contribute to the social inclusion of refugees with the aim of enhancing the skills and knowledge they have developed during an educational path that now risks interruption,  a loss for them and for the whole of society", explains Antonella Carù, dean of Bocconi Graduate School. "It is consistent with the new strategic plan of our university, which will have an increased focus on inclusion and social engagement and which aims to offer support to students who come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds". 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency, Italian Caritas, Waldensian Diaconia, Centro Astalli and Gandhi Charity all collaborate in the project. 

"They are determined young people who legitimately aspire to build a dignified future for themselves and want to make their contribution to society. Thanks to projects such as UNICORE, the commitment of Italian universities and partners, these aspirations can now become reality", declared Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino. "Allowing refugees to arrive safely and develop their talent is even more important today in light of the worrying situation in Ethiopia, where the safety and well-being of refugees and thousands of civilians are now in danger." 

The UNICORE project was born in 2019 with a first pilot phase during which six students were welcomed by two universities, and then expanded in 2020 with the participation of twenty refugee students from Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Eritrea who currently attend undergraduate courses at eleven universities. 

The call will close on 1 April 2021 and can be consulted on the universitycorridors.unhcr.it website