University in Southern Madagascar, Storchi: “We are entering the executive phase”

As regards the headquarters of the nascent University: a property in Farafangana already used as a seminary will be used

REGGIO EMILIA – Operational road map for the University project in Southern Madagascar. The ranks are closing among the actors of the initiative, to see its realization after the approval of the CEI for its complete financing.

Diocese of Reggio Emilia, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore) and the working group: Fabio and Paolo Storchi, Mauro Garlassi, Chicco Benedetti, Don Luca Fornaciari, are working to define times and objectives. The creator of the project is Don Fornaciari, parish priest of Manakara.

In a recent meeting between the Reggio Emilia promoters and the Embassy of Pretoria, in South Africa, which has jurisdiction over the Malagasy territory, the operational map was defined to train the first students, with the aim of making them become an active part of the new university as teachers.

“In the spring of 2025 – explains Paolo Storchi – a selected group of girls and boys from the Manakara region will arrive in Reggio Emilia to enroll in UniMoRe master’s courses. In the meantime, Don Luca is following the students – who are completing their first cycle academic studies – in perfecting the Italian language, to an adequate level not only to obtain a temporary residence visa, but above all to undertake university studies”.

The University of Reggio Emilia has already formalized its availability to welcome young students and to select the most suitable study courses to prepare them for enrollment in specialization courses, to obtain a master’s degree.

Students will be hosted by some families from Reggio Emilia, for easier integration into the local community, in an environment suitable for carrying out their studies with the right serenity, and for a path of human growth. The students, who already attend the Malagasy University of Antsirabe, will be carefully selected by Don Luca, who bets on their will and determination.

As regards the headquarters of the nascent University: a building in Farafangana already used as a seminary will be used, which will be completely renovated with funds from the Italian Episcopal Conference. The executive project for the renovation and redevelopment works is already available, just as the construction company that will carry out the works has already been selected.

The project was born only in October 2022, and is now taking shape. It is a demanding initiative that requires the contribution of those who can participate even to a minimal extent.
“The objective is to change the fate and future of the country, creating the cultural and knowledge conditions necessary to trigger growth and development of the whole of Madagascar” concludes Storchi.