In the solemn and evocative setting of Palazzo d’Orléans, seat of the Presidency of the Sicilian Region and emblem of the Island’s most significant institutional decisions, a memorandum of understanding of extraordinary strategic importance was signed between the Sicilian Region, UniCamillus University and the Fondazione Giglio in Cefalù.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Sicilian Region, Hon. Renato Schifani; the Rector of UniCamillus, Prof. Gianni Profita; the Regional Councillor for Health, Dr Daniela Faraoni; Senator Simona Vicari; the Director General of the Regional Health Department, Dr Salvatore Iacolino; and the Director General of the Giglio Foundation, Dr Giovanni Albano.
The agreement, strongly supported and shared by all the institutions involved, has as its primary objective to enable students enrolled in the UniCamillus MSc in Medicine and Surgery at the Cefalù campus to undertake their clinical training within the Giglio Hospital and other affiliated healthcare facilities, while simultaneously ensuring that the Faculty fulfils its institutional mission through full integration with the Regional Health Service.
A Strategic Agreement
This Protocol marks another milestone in an already well-established collaborative path, further consolidating the creation of a centre of academic and healthcare excellence in the heart of Sicily.
The UniCamillus MSc in Medicine and Surgery has been active since 2024. Hosted at the Giglio Foundation in Cefalù, it is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and high-quality educational experience, integrating teaching, research, and clinical practice within a state-of-the-art environment.
With this new agreement, another decisive step has been taken towards the growth of an institution that aims to become a national and international reference point for medical education and the advancement of biomedical research.
The Memorandum foresees, among other initiatives: the designation of Cefalù Hospital as the reference facility for integrated teaching, research, and healthcare activities; the opportunity for students to undertake professional training placements included in the academic curriculum under the supervision of qualified tutors; the launch of joint biomedical and healthcare research projects for the benefit of the entire regional system; the involvement of Regional Health Service staff in teaching and mentoring activities; and the provision by the Foundation of appropriate facilities and infrastructures to ensure optimal integration between academic training and healthcare provision.
A Model of Synergy
“A collaboration that enhances the educational opportunities of our Region,” stated Renato Schifani, President of the Sicilian Region, “and that will enable many young Sicilians to study, specialise, and, hopefully, remain and work in their own land. This is a virtuous example of public-private partnership, which will also have a significant socio-economic impact on the territory.”
“Today’s agreement represents a milestone in UniCamillus’ mission to train highly qualified healthcare professionals, ready to respond competently and responsibly to the needs of an increasingly complex healthcare system,” affirmed Rector Profita. “Thanks to this agreement, Sicily is equipped with a university centre that combines education, research, and healthcare, positioning Cefalù at the heart of an extraordinary healthcare challenge. Special thanks go to President Schifani, who has believed in the strategic value of this project from the very beginning.”
“We are diversifying educational opportunities within our Region,” added Regional Councillor for Health Daniela Faraoni, “and giving further momentum to the training needs of Sicilian youth. Offering medical students new opportunities for growth means not only strengthening their skills but also fostering the prospect that, in the future, they may become part of the Island’s medical leadership. Our commitment is to invest in education and training in order to build a stronger, modern healthcare system capable of nurturing the talents of our territory.”
Through this Memorandum, the Region of Sicily, UniCamillus, and the Giglio Foundation renew their commitment to building a virtuous model of collaboration between academia and the healthcare system, in the conviction that investing in medical education means investing in the future of citizens.
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