Unipr in Rwanda: CUCI strengthens cooperation with two universities in the country

The mission, carried out as part of the Erasmus+ KA171 programme, opens up new opportunities in research, teaching, and training in the field of psychology.

Parma, 16 July 2026 – As part of the 2025 Erasmus+ KA171 programme, CUCI – the University of Parma’s University Centre for International Cooperation – carried out an academic mission to Rwanda aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the field of psychology. The initiative was led by Francesca Cavallini of CUCI, who is also a lecturer in the Master’s Degree programme in Clinical and Social Intervention Psychology at the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries.

As part of the University’s internationalisation activities, the mission helped strengthen relations with the University of Rwanda and the Catholic University of Rwanda, promoting new opportunities for cooperation in student mobility, research and training. The initiative was also attended by Valentina Tirelli, head of the Tice centre in Piacenza, and Laura Borghi of the Bolognese Centre for Family Therapy, both graduates in Psychology from the University of Parma.

During the visit, the delegation met with representatives of the two universities to explore potential joint initiatives in research, the mobility of students and thesis students, and the strengthening of teaching and training activities. Francesca Cavallini and Valentina Tirelli also conducted teaching activities for students enrolled in the Master’s Degree programme in Psychology at the Catholic University of Rwanda.

Particular attention was paid to clinical and social psychology, trauma, and the development of research and intervention models that are sensitive to cultural differences. The mission also laid the groundwork for new international project initiatives, with the preparation of two proposals aimed at accessing funding to support joint research, training and cooperation activities.

The initiative confirms CUCI’s commitment to promoting the University of Parma’s participation in international cooperation programmes and fostering partnerships with academic institutions and organisations in the territories involved. The mission thus contributes to strengthening the network of relations between Italy and Rwanda and creating new opportunities for mobility, research and training.