New Delhi: On Friday, 18 October 2024, Uni-Italia in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy and the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre (IIC) in New Delhi organised IDOHE - Italian Days on Higher Education, an international study fair dedicated exclusively to higher education opportunities in Italy. The annual event was organised for the first time in the Capital, within the premises of the Italian Embassy Culture Center.
The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy to India, where he mentioned:
“Italy’s appeal to Indian students is evident in the rising numbers. A decade ago, there were around 250 Indian students in Italy. Today, there are more than 12,000. In the last academic year alone, over 2,500 Indian students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the 100 universities and higher education institutions across Italy's diverse regions. Additionally, the number of female students is almost equivalent to that of male students (48.7% vs. 51.3%).
We are fully committed to strengthening the bonds between our two nations through education and exchange. I wish each of you the best of luck in your academic pursuits and hope that many such initiatives will continue in the future to enhance the connection between our two countries in this strategic area of higher learning.”
It was followed by a presentation on India–Italy Student Mobility delivered by Dr Sergio Ledda, Scientific Attaché, Embassy of Italy in New Delhi, who stressed on the importance of the exchange of values attained through student mobility. He stated,
“In recent years, Italy has attracted a growing number of Indian master's students. This trend highlights students' desire for both theoretical and practical knowledge, which Italian universities are well-equipped to provide with emphasis on practical, hands-on experiences through internships, laboratory work, and industry collaborations.
This educational migration benefits both parties: Italy gains diverse perspectives, enriching its academic environment, while Indian students access high-quality education, and international networks that boost their career prospects. The growing number of Indian students choosing Italy for their master's studies reflects a mutually beneficial exchange, showcasing the strength of Italian higher education in an interconnected world.”
Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of AIU (Association of Indian Universities), explained the role of Association of Indian Universities as the possible facilitator to enable Italian Higher Education Institutions identify the right Indian Universities for partnerships with the Italian counterparts.
Andrea Anastasio, Director Istituto Itaiano di Cultura delivered a speech on the model of Italian language classes taught in Indian universities, which was followed by a presentation by EEAS (European External Affairs Service) delegates Mr. Kinchit Bihani & Ms. Sagarika Bhattacharyya who presented opportunities offered by the Erasmus exchange program.Faculty and representatives of close to 30 prestigious Indian academic institutions and government also attended.
Bengaluru: On Monday, 21 October 2024, Uni-Italia in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Bengaluru organised IDOHE - Italian Days on Higher Education at the Lalit Ashok Hotel. Activities commenced within the premises of the Consulate General of Italy in Bengaluru where Italian delegates had the opportunity to interact with Consul General Alfonoso Tagliaferri in a closed door meeting. This was followed by a dedicated bi-lateral matchmaking session, a form of speed networking where invited representatives from 10 prestigious institutions located in and around Bengaluru had the opportunity to interact with Italian counterparts. For many, this marked the first time a point of contact was created, and for others, it led to further evolutions from previous interactions.
Across both cities, IDOHE India attracted a total of 4000+ leads and welcomed a total of 512 visitors across both events, 386 in New Delhi and 126 in Bengaluru.
The audience included enthusiastic prospective Indian students and parents interested in choosing Italy as their destination of choice for higher studies. Visitors had the opportunity to interact with and hear from representatives from prestigious Italian Institutions including Universitá Bocconi, Accademia Italiana, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Domus Academy, Universitá IULM, Raffles Milano, Istituto Europeo di Design, Istituto Secoli, Polimi Graduate School of Management, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti and Istituto Marangoni. Representatives from University Living addressed the student accommodation landscape in Italy, while the Uni-Italia India team addressed scholarship opportunities, application procedures and study visa application processes for aspiring students.
