MILAN - The University of the People of Milan has donated 50,000 euros in grants to African students, legally resident in the EU without adequate financial funding.

  The donation was officialised at a ceremony attended by Professor Marco Grappeggia, the President of the University, the University's Rector Professor Giovanni Neri and Koffi Michel Fadonougho, from the African Company, an association for social promotion.

  In addition to the donation, the University has created a University Science Centre for Education, Study and Research on Migration. It will be led by Professor Nicola Crozzoletti, Vice President and Professor of Clinical Psychology, who is aiming to reunite university realities of third countries into one structure, enhancing the importance of relations and cultural differences. 

  In the past five years there has been a remarkable increase in applications for courses from students from developing countries, especially from Africa, according to the University. Many highly motivated young students are able to catch up quickly and achieve excellent results, despite their poor preparation and language difficulties. After the first semester of their studies, two thirds of foreign students manage to excel in exams, with an average mark of 28/30.

  Mr Grappeggia said at the ceremony, "we believe the world can be better and more meritocratic, and we often ask ourselves precisely what can we do to help. For this reason we have decided to implement this important initiative aimed exclusively at migrant students, too often abandoned, orphaned by global institutions... The University of the People of Milan has always been inspired by international culture. There is no doubt that intercontinental knowledge is the real answer for a better world. With this project, women and men around the world will be able to study and increase their knowledge and their culture." 

  The fund is already available for the first applicants.