A journey through two countries in Southern Africa, Zambia and Malawi, distinguished by astonishing diversity in environments, peoples, languages, and activities. The purpose of the trip was to strengthen existing contacts with universities, training institutes, and research organizations, initiate new collaborations, and connect with some Italian NGOs active in these countries.
The first part of the journey took place in Zambia. While staying in the capital, Lusaka, we visited the campus of the University of Zambia (UNZA), where Professor De Meneghi introduced 5th and 6th year Veterinary students and faculty to the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ partner countries program. This program, established with the School of Veterinary Medicine-UNZA, involves student, faculty, and staff exchanges. A similar program will also be initiated for Agriculture students, faculty, and staff.
In Zambia, we also reactivated connections with local NGOs (Masifa and MUzika) operating in rural development, particularly in agriculture and livestock. We conducted visits to research organizations (CVL-Central Veterinary Laboratory, Balmoral) and training institutes (ZIAH-Zambian Institute for Animal Health, Mazabuka) in the Southern Province, where Professor De Meneghi had previously worked on a cooperation project. Additionally, we met with the Italian ambassador in Lusaka (also responsible for Malawi) to explain the purpose of our visit and establish further contacts with other organizations and NGOs active in the agricultural and veterinary sectors.
In the second part of the journey, in Malawi, we visited the Bunda campus of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), where Professor Fortina finalized a framework agreement with UniTo and a specific agreement with DISAFA. Both agreements, soon to be signed, will facilitate student and staff exchanges. LUANAR also requested UniTo’s support, particularly from DSV, in refining the curriculum for a newly established veterinary medicine degree program at the university.
Furthermore, we held meetings with the Italian NGO CISP (International Committee for the Development of Peoples), active in Malawi for over 20 years, which offered to collaborate and provide on-site support for internships and field visits for students in the Cooperation curriculum of the Master’s Degree Program in Agricultural Sciences.
The mission was very interesting and useful, allowing us to both strengthen existing cooperation contacts and relationships and establish new collaborations and synergies for research, training, and outreach activities, which are fully within the statutory duties of CISAO…
Finally, a special thanks to our Zambian colleagues (“Twalumba” in the Tonga language) and Malawian colleagues (“Zikomo” in the Chewa language) whom we had the pleasure of meeting and engaging in interesting discussions and idea exchanges during our mission.
Prof. Fortina Riccardo and prof. De Meneghi Daniele
