Italy: Rector of the Orientale University of Naples visits Pakistan
Rome: To strengthen academic cooperation between Italy and Pakistan, Professor Roberto Tottoli, Rector of the University of Naples L’Orientale, arrived in Karachi at the invitation of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).
The visit underlines the Italian Consulate’s commitment to strengthening academic exchanges and cooperation between the two nations.
During his visit, the Rector met with important academic leaders, including the Vice-Rectors of the IBA and the University of Karachi.
Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in education and exploring new opportunities for collaboration between the institutions.
The University of Naples L’Orientale, which already has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Karachi University signed in 2022, is now looking to establish a long-term partnership with the IBA. The visit also highlights L’Orientale University’s commitment to promoting Urdu language and culture through its dedicated department, reflecting the deepening cultural ties between Italy and Pakistan.
Accompanying Tottoli was the Consul General of Italy in Karachi, Danilo Giurdanella, who emphasised the growing interest among students from Sindh and Balochistan in pursuing higher education in Italy. “In the past year alone, over 600 students from these regions have enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes at Italian universities,” Giurdanella said.
The influx of Pakistani students to Italy has increased in recent years, partly due to the availability of degree programmes taught in English. Italian and Pakistani universities have traditionally collaborated in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, medicine and technology.
“However, this visit aims to broaden the scope of cooperation, particularly in the promotion of the Italian and Urdu languages,” stressed Consul Giurdanella. The Italian Consulate in Karachi has long been a supporter of university cooperation, which has led to numerous joint research projects and academic exchanges for the benefit of both countries.
