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 to higher education opportunities in Italy. The annual event was organised within the premises of the Italian Embassy Culture Centre.
Growing educational ties
H.E. Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy to India, 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%).”
Indian students attended IDOHE
He further added, “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.”
Strengthening India-Italy student exchange
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.”
Presentation on India-Italy Student Mobility was presented
“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 the Association of Indian Universities as the possible facilitator to enable Italian higher education institutions to identify the right Indian universities for partnerships with their 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 the government also attended.
