ABOUT THE UNIMED GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The UNIMED General Assembly is an important annual event, bringing together around 150 representatives from our member universities and institutional partners over two days. It serves as a crucial platform for rectors, delegates, partners, and international stakeholders to discuss policies for higher education and strategies for enhancing the EuroMediterranean university landscape.
The 2025 UNIMED Assembly is particularly significant for fostering dialogue and collaboration due to several key factors:
- 30th Anniversary of the “Barcelona Process”: This year marks three decades since the launch of the Barcelona Process in 1995, which established a new framework for EuroMediterranean cooperation, leading to numerous achievements.
- Renewed Focus by the European Commission: The European Commission is reinforcing the importance of Euro-Mediterranean relations by appointing a Commissioner for the Mediterranean and initiating a consultation process to develop a new "Pact for the Mediterranean," set to be adopted this autumn.
- Addressing Regional Crises: Given the multiple crises affecting the Mediterranean region, higher education institutions must strengthen their capacity to support at-risk scholars and refugees.
- Strengthening Collaboration: Universities need to enhance cooperation with regional authorities and foundations to improve collaboration between the academic community, local authorities, and civil society.
- Adapting to AI: The rise of AI requires university systems to rethink their educational processes and develop a robust, modern higher education framework.
This year's Assembly program reflects these priorities, all aimed at revitalizing Euro-Mediterranean Partnerships in Higher Education.
WEDNESDAY 9 July 2025
THURSDAY 10 July 2025
| 08:30 – 09:00 |
Registration of participants |
| 09:00 – 10:00 |
OpeningsNicola LeoneRector of University of Calabria Kherieh Rassas UNIMED President and Vice President of An-Najah National University Hmaid Ben Aziza UNIMED Secretary General and former Rector of the University of Tunis Roberto Occhiuto President of Calabria Region and President of the Intermediterranean Commission (CIM) Anna Maria Bernini* Italian Minister of University and Research |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | For a new Mediterranean University Initiative Romano Prodi* The Pact for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica* Commissioner for the Mediterranean - European Commission |
10:30 - 11:00 |
Family Picture, Coffee break and networking *Short laboratory, technology centers and other campus tours available for interested participants |
11:00 - 11:30 |
Keynote speechThe Mediterranean: Knowledge as a bridge, Innovation as a force for unityFrancesco Profumo President of Isybak and Rector of Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) |
11:30 - 12:00 |
UNIMED activities and future plansMarcello ScalisiUNIMED Director |
12:00 - 13:00 |
Panel discussion on the Pact for the MediterraneanIn this session representatives of the European Commission, of the Union for the Mediterranean and of the European Institute for the Mediterranean – IEMED will present and discuss the main priorities of the “Pact for the Mediterranean” that will be adopted by the European Commission in Autumn 2025 |
13:00 - 13:15 |
Announcement of the Start Cup Competition results |
13:15 - 14:30 |
Light lunch and networking |
14:30 - 15:30 |
Showcase of the UNIMED projects and activities |
15:30 - 16:30 |
Panel discussion about Artificial Intelligence for EducationSeveral Universities representatives will address to the UNIMED members and partners, the most relevant trends of AI for Education looking in particular to our network dimension. |
16:30 - 17:30 |
Panel discussion on Academic freedom and support to scholars at risks and refugeesRepresentatives of important international organizations, and UNIMED members will explain the current initiatives to support scholars at risk, refugees and students that are living in critical situation. |
18:00 |
Social event and Gala dinner |
| 09:00 – 11:00 | UNIMED Assembly - only for members |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee break and networking *Short laboratory, technology centers and other campus tours available for interested participants |
| 11:30 - 12:30 | Plenary session The Union for the Mediterranean platform on Research and Innovation in the Euro-Mediterranean region |
| 12:30 - 13:30 | Parallel Sessions |
|
Session 1: |
Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability |
|
Session 2: |
The “Mediterranean Students Summit” recommendations and its implementations by the UNIMED members |
|
13:30 - 14:30 |
Light lunch and networking |
|
14:30 - 15:30 |
Parallel Sessions |
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Session 3: |
UfM and UNIMED initiative on Climate Change |
|
Session 4: |
New and disruptive technologies in medicine |
|
15:30 - 16:30 |
Parallel Sessions |
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Session 5: |
Employability and entrepreneurship |
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Session 6: |
European University alliances and internationalisation |
|
16:30 - 17:00 |
Closing remarks |
Download the Programme
(Updated on 30 April 2025)