Rimini, Italy, 8 November 2024 – Yesterday, Mediterranean innovators Hasan Jaafar, Guadaluna Chaer, and Marilu Suc were awarded the CIHEAM Youth Innovation Award for their groundbreaking projects in sustainable and innovative agriculture. Hasan Jaafar secured first place for his project YY ReGen-R8, which focuses on renewable energy solutions, sustainable agriculture models, and water management. Guadaluna Chaer, recognized as Mediterranean Day hero for combating environmental degradation, earned second place for her AI-driven, chemical-free weed control system, LUXEED Robotics. Marilu Suc placed third with her initiative, the Network of Women in Aquaculture (NOWA), dedicated to promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the… read more
25 September 2024, Rome – After Barcelona and Tangiers, the third edition of the Mediterranean Student Summit, launched by UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union and the ESN – Erasmus Student Network, took place in Palermo, September 26 – 28. The Summit is organised under the patronage and financial support of the Union for the Mediterranean. Hosted by the University of Palermo, almost 30 students gathered to carry out the debates foreseen in this Summit edition. The event saw the participation of students coming from the Mediterranean Region and Ghana, the latter representing the All-Africa Students Union – AASU, the largest… read more
3 October 2024, Cairo, Egypt – Officials from the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), European Commission, and the League of Arab States (LAS) met yesterday in Cairo to advance the role of science in foreign affairs under the High-level Meeting on Science Diplomacy. In a region facing increasing cross-border challenges such as climate change, food and water security, and energy resources, science and innovation could play a significant role in bringing regional actors together. Participants discussed approaches to strengthen research infrastructures, mobility and training, and science advice for foreign policy. Held at the LAS Secretariat, the meeting was attended by… read more
25 September 2024, Rome – The University of Palermo hosted the Third Mediterranean Student Summit from September 26 to 28, bringing together nearly 30 students from across the Mediterranean region and Ghana. This three-day event, organized by UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union and the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), provided a space for peer-to-peer exchanges and discussions on student engagement, a core priority for UNIMED. The Summit aimed to enhance mutual understanding among students and empower them as advocates for the Mediterranean by fostering discussions on key topics relevant to academic cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region. With students from the Mediterranean… read more
12-13 June 2024, Algiers, Algeria – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), supported by the German Development Cooperation, recently concluded its second regional workshop on integrating green skills into academic curricula, focusing on renewable energy. This initiative is part of the UfM’s commitment to fostering innovative approaches to learning, teaching, and research to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The workshops, designed to prepare Mediterranean graduates and researchers for evolving job markets, underscore the critical role of education in the green transition. A holistic approach encompassing higher education, vocational training, and continuous professional development is essential, as outlined in the… read more
16 May 2024, Lisbon, Portugal. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and NOVA University of Lisbon, in collaboration with the Portuguese National Erasmus+ Agency, organised the UfM Higher Education Stakeholders’ Meeting, which took place on 16 May 2024 in Lisbon. The event was attended by approximately 40 participants, including university rectors and directors of regional higher education networks. The opening of the event featured remarks from Fernando Alexandre, Portuguese Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA University, and Itaf Ben Abdallah, UfM Senior Advisor on Higher Education and Research. Additionally, there were online contributions from representatives… read more
16-18 April 2024, Brussels – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the European Commission announced the launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Hub for Research and Innovation (R&I) during a series of R&I events held within the framework of UNIMED Week in Brussels. This groundbreaking initiative aims to serve as a pivotal platform for learning and collaboration, fostering Mediterranean cooperation while advancing the UfM Regional Policy Dialogue on R&I. The Hub will play a crucial role in facilitating the implementation of R&I roadmaps focusing on critical areas such as health, renewable energies, and climate change. The newly inaugurated portal, accessible at… read more
The Workshop on Green Skills in the Mediterranean, held in Zaragoza, Spain, addressed high unemployment rates and skills gaps in the region, emphasizing the role of education and research in fostering sustainable food systems and careers. It attracted participants from 15 Euro Mediterranean countries, representing academia, industry, policymakers, and civil society, highlighting the event’s multi-sectoral approach to sustainability and regional collaboration. The workshop aimed to inspire participants to integrate green skills into academic curricula and professional practices, focusing on technical green skills related to sustainable food systems. Through interactive sessions, participants developed strategies for incorporating green skills into their work…. read more
Naples, 15 November 2023. Innovation, employability, and the green transition are interrelated challenges that require cooperation across societal pillars, such as universities and research centers, industry and governments, as highlighted in the UfM Ministerial Declaration on Research and Innovation (2022). In order to explore policies and initiatives that contribute to this dialogue, a conference was organized by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), also as part of the activities part of the Mediterranean Day (28 November). The primary aim was to explore the requirements and possibilities for strengthening collaborative endeavors among Academia,… read more
3 October 2023, Barcelona – The Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Science Diplomacy, co-organised by the Union for the Mediterranean in partnership with the European Commission, took place with the aim of highlighting state-of-art of science diplomacy in the Mediterranean, its obstacles and opportunities, and discussing future steps. More than 80 people from 22 countries attended, including scientists, diplomats, and research and innovation officials who had been welcomed the evening prior to Antoni Gaudí’s La Pedrera to learn about La Pedrera Foundation’s Science Academy. Participants exchanged ideas on highly relevant topics such as research infrastructures, mobility and training, and science advice for… read more
