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By Ezekiel David
Italy is seeking to attract significantly more students from Africa as part of its ambitious “Mattei Plan” for the continent.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking at a conference in Rimini, emphasized the need to boost African student numbers in Italian universities.
“I think the numbers of African students studying in Italy should be increased,” Tajani said, equating the Mattei Plan with the post-World War II Marshall Plan. This new project, named after the founder of the Italian oil mogul Eni, aims to support African growth.
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However, Tajani’s proposal to increase foreign student enrollment comes amidst a heated debate within Italy’s ruling coalition regarding immigration and citizenship. While Tajani’s Forza Italia party supports granting citizenship to foreign minors educated in Italy, the hard-right League and Brothers of Italy parties oppose the idea.
Italy now trails behind other large European countries in terms of drawing in international students. Italy issued about 25,000 study permits in 2022, according to ISTAT data, a significant decrease from the 105,000 and 70,000 that France and Germany issued in the same year.
Experts point to the limited global use of the Italian language and challenges in securing employment as potential factors contributing to the low numbers.
(Source: Reuters)
