PoliTO on institutional mission in Mozambique

As part of the BRIDGE MOZAMBICO – Building Resources for International Development and Growth through Education project proposal, currently being developed for submission to the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Politecnico carried out an institutional mission to Maputo, Mozambique, from 19 to 22 May.

The PoliTO delegation, led by Vice Rector for Internationalization Alberto Sapora, included Francesca De Filippi, Deputy Vice Rector for International Scientific Cooperation; Fabrizio Bonani, Coordinator of the University’s Strategy for the Development of Relations with Africa within the framework of the Strategic Plan; Cristian Campagnaro and Massimo Crotti, faculty members of the Department of Architecture and Design-DAD; and Mario Ravera, Director of INCAM Division.

"Mozambique, one of the pilot countries of the Mattei Plan, is a country in which Italy has long played a significant role - commented professor Bonani - Although limited to the capital city of Maputo, the visit clearly highlighted the potential for collaborations with local universities across all fields of Engineering, Architecture and Design, as well as the opportunity and importance of contributing to the country’s cultural, infrastructural and economic development".

The primary objective of the mission was to conduct a series of technical site inspections on a plot of land located in the city of Matola, near Maputo, with a view to designing a building dedicated to training activities within the framework of the cooperation project. The initiative envisages the creation of an integrated educational and community hub combining vocational and technical training, digital and transversal skills development, housing services for vulnerable students, community spaces, and a structured system for connecting learners with businesses and the labour market.

“The institutional mission to Maputo combined field assessments, discussions with project partners and institutional meetings, yielding positive prospects both in the short term, for the finalisation of the project proposal, and in the medium to long term, through the identification together with partners and the institutions involved of further initiatives of shared interest and new avenues for collaboration", added professor De Filippi.

The visit also provided an important opportunity to strengthen relations with the Mozambican higher education system. The delegation met with representatives of two of the capital’s leading universities, the Pedagogical University of Maputo and the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM). With the latter, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, laying the groundwork for future collaborative activities between the two institutions.

During the mission, the delegation also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Italian Embassy in Maputo, taking part in discussions with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and in a meeting with the Agency ICE, which is responsible for promoting Italian businesses abroad and supporting their internationalization.

“The institutional visit to Mozambique confirmed that the country is fully aligned with the priorities set out in Politecnico di Torino’s International Strategic Plan, launched two years ago - concluded Vice Rector Sapora - The meetings with partner universities, the Italian Embassy and AICS representatives highlighted the strategic value of academic and scientific cooperation in a context with significant development potential. The cooperation project currently under development represents a tangible opportunity to strengthen long-term partnerships and expand Politecnico’s international presence across the African region".