UNIMED, the Mediterranean Universities Union, founded in October 1991, is an association of Universities from Mediterranean basin countries. It counts 113 associated Universities coming from 23 countries of both shores of Mediterranean (data updated to October 2018). UNIMED’s aim is to develop university research and education in the Euro-Mediterranean area in order to contribute to scientific, cultural, social and economic cooperation. The Universities in UNIMED’s network operate in many different fields, and thus UNIMED operates on many different fronts. The image that best represents our association is that of a University Without Walls.

UNIMED carries out the following activities in favour of the associated Universities:

Promotion of the international dimension of universities;

Encouraging the participation of its members in international projects;

Planning and fundraising activities: information on call for papers and opportunities offered by international organisations and the European Commission, partnership search, technical assistance, planning, dissemination;

Promoting mobility in the Euro-Mediterranean region, for students, researchers and academic staff;

Creation of thematic Subnetworks to foster scientific cooperation within specific fields;

Organization of meetings, discussions, seminars and roundtables both at a national and international level;

Training for academic and administrative staff of Universities, particularly for the personnel of International Relations Offices.

Through the many initiatives carried out over two decades, UNIMED has promoted collaboration between the universities of the Mediterranean, becoming a point of reference of international university cooperation.

UNIMED SUBNETWORKS

UNIMED has also supported the establishment of a second-level network, constituted of SubNetworks focused on specific sectors. The SubNetworks structure allows for an intensive exchange of information among the participating actors of the two Mediterranean shores for the creation of partnerships, collaborations and projects. The aim of the SubNetworks is to strengthen economic and social cohesion, in order to promote, on the one side, cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation and, on the other side, local sustainable development.

UNIMED “FRANCO RIZZI” STUDY CENTER

Created in 2017, the UNIMED “Franco Rizzi” Study Center produces analyses on the Mediterranean Region using primary sources, as well as original and in-depth studies written directly by researchers of the UNIMED Study Center or by university professors, and specialists who are part of the UNIMED network. The main activities of the UNIMED Study Center are publications of e-book monographs on topics of particular relevance to the Mediterranean region from a socio – political and academic perspective and the organization of seminars, events and roundtables. The UNIMED Study Center is dedicated to the memory of prof. Franco Rizzi, Secretary General and Founder of UNIMED (1944-2017).

UNIMED OFFICES

The UNIMED headquarter is in Rome (Italy). UNIMED has five other branches: one in Palermo (Italy), one in Palestine, at the National University “An-Najah” of Nablus, one in Morocco at the University Mohammed V of Rabat, one in Portugal at the University of Evora, one in France at the University Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne.

INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION

UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN (UfM)

In 2013 UNIMED signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the Union for the Mediterranean aimed at establishing cooperation to further develop areas of common interest, particularly in higher education and research. The agreement aims to establish greater cooperation through the realization of regional and international initiatives in order to enhance the impact and increase synergies in higher education and academic mobility by developing educational and scientific cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK (EIB)

In May 2007, the European Investment Bank and UNIMED signed a “Memorandum of Understanding”. This cooperation agreement was established within the framework of the “EIB University Networks”, a Group’s partnership system with the networks of universities aimed at strengthening the particularly notable initiatives that are in line the EIB international cooperation politics.

PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D’AZUR REGION

In October 2015, UNIMED signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the Regional Council of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. The Memorandum of Understanding will seek to realize a cooperation on Euro-Mediterranean issues.

ASSOCIATION OF ARAB UNIVERSITIES (AArU)

In 2014, UNIMED signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the Arab Universities Association which foresees the collaboration between the two partners for the realization of joint activities.

HOW TO JOIN THE UNIMED NETWORK

To become a member, the President/Rector of University or Research Institute has to send an official request to the UNIMED President, prof. Wail Benjelloun, by e-mail: unimed@uni-med.net and to the UNIMED address: UNIMEDMediterranean Universities Union – Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 244 – 00186 Rome (Italy);

The University/Research Institute is also required to send a brief description of its history and main fields of training and research as well as its international activities, indicating the name and coordinates of a Focal Point;

The UNIMED body in charge of accepting requests of adhesion is the Assembly of the members, which is composed by the Rectors/Presidents or their delegates of all the associated Universities;

A 3.000 euro yearly fee, to be paid by March, 31st of each year, is foreseen in order to enter the network. The amount was determined by the shareholders at the General Assembly held in Algiers in 2003 and can be changed only by the Assembly of the members;

The membership is valid until withdrawal. To withdraw from the association, an official letter has to be signed by the Rector/President of the University/Research Institute and addressed to the UNIMED President. The letter, which can be sent to the email address: unimed@uni-med.net must also be mailed to: UNIMED Mediterranean Universities Union – Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 244 – 00186 Rome (Italy).

The withdrawal shall take effect, however, the year after it has been notified to UNIMED.