Parma, May 13, 2025 - It is called IUPALS - Italian Universities for Palestinian Students and is an initiative conceived by the Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities (CRUI) and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the Consulate General of Italy in Jerusalem.
The project provides 97 scholarships made available by 35 Italian universities, including the University of Parma, for Palestinian students residing in the Palestinian Territories who are interested in attending a full cycle of higher education in Italy.
IUPALS is part of the commitments made by the Italian university system following the May 2024 CRUI assembly. On that occasion, Rectors reiterated the urgency of achieving a stable peace in the Middle East and stressed the crucial role of Universities in promoting openness, dialogue, deepening and the search for solutions for peaceful coexistence.
Twelve months of intense work of coordination among the university autonomies and liaison with the Ministries involved have led to the concrete realization of this project.
The main objective of IUPALS is twofold:
- facilitating the tertiary education of Palestinian students, offering them an opportunity to study in an international academic environment;
- strengthening cooperation between Italian universities and Palestinian educational institutions, promoting processes of internationalization and cultural integration.
Students interested in IUPALS scholarships can consult the specific calls on the websites of the 35 participating universities.
The University of Parma's call for applications is published at this link: to participate in the selection, applications can be sent until May 31 at 12 noon.
The Schools of the Holy Land and the John Paul II Foundation of Bethlehem are local partners in the project.
