Italy-Africa Summit: the cooperation project of the University of Parma and CNR-IMEM cited as a model by Ursula von der Leyen
GREATER, the international cooperation project in Rwanda led by the University of Parma with the participation of CNR-IMEM, was cited as an example of good practices by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in her speech during the Italy-Africa Summit, which was held on 29th January 2024 in Rome.
“Currently over 50 Italian universities – said the President – have exchange programs with their African counterparts. The University of Parma, for example, coordinates an Erasmus project to develop skills in clean energy in Africa. We want to invest in this type of cooperation."
GREATER (Growing Rwanda Energy Awareness Through higher education) aims to accompany the energy transition in Rwanda by training professionals and creating structures that facilitate and make the country's social and economic growth "smart". The project obtained a 800.000€ funding from the European Union through the "Erasmus+ Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices" program - "Capacity Building in higher education - Joint Projects" action.
This project involves four Rwandan institutions (INES-Ruhengeri, Rwanda Polytechnic, University of Technology and Arts of Byumba and University of Rwanda) and four European ones (University of Parma, Italy; National Research Council, Italy; Hochschule Niederrhein, Germany; Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Germany).
The project aim to contribute the fight against energy poverty and inequality in access to electricity, which still characterizes many African countries. GREATER's activity is on the one hand the design of 8 new or renewed curricula in the field of intelligent and green energy, and on the other hand the creation of 4 "Living Labs" accessible to local communities, where they can get in touch and familiarize themselves with the technologies.The role of CNR-IMEM, in particular, is linked to the development of these "Living Labs", in which systems powered by photovoltaic energy will be created to solve specific problems (water purification, food preparation, etc.).
Date: 29th January 2024
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