
ITESHS
Integrated Transcultural Educational Synergy in Health Sciences
ITESHS Project


ITESHS, which stands for Integrated Transcultural Educational Synergy in Health Sciences, is an ambitious and innovative project led by UniCamillus University. Created with the aim of improving university education and developing health skills in Africa, the project involves an international group of academic and institutional partners.
Key collaborators include the University of Chieti-Pescara, the University of Foggia and prestigious African institutions such as the Jaamacadda Ummadda Soomaaliyeed (Somali National University), the Hanseatic Institute of Technology and Applied Sciences (HITAS) in Cameroon and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.
Project leader and scientific coordinator: Emiliano Maiani, Delegate for Research at UniCamillus
A structured plan for quality health education
ITESHS plans to establish new health programmes in Somalia and Cameroon, as well as international exchange programmes with Ethiopia. UniCamillus will play a central role by starting a BSc programme in Physiotherapy and a CPD course in Orthopaedics at the University of Mogadishu. This is a concrete response to the serious consequences of the civil war that has plagued Somalia for over 30 years, causing thousands of casualties, serious injuries and mutilations. In this context, it is essential to train health professionals capable of providing the highest level of orthopaedic and rehabilitation care to improve the quality of life of the local population.
To support this initiative, UniCamillus will set up a state-of-the-art orthopaedic laboratory on its campus in Rome. This facility will be a reference point for Somali students, who will be able to carry out practical work using modern and advanced instruments. The collaboration with Confimi Industria Sanità will also provide important technical and organisational support.
Partner Universities:
- The University of Foggia will develop a BSc in Nursing at the Hanseatic Institute of Technology and Applied Sciences (HITAS) in Douala, Cameroon, and improve the University’s technological infrastructure. International mobility programmes for students and teachers will also be set up to promote the exchange of expertise between Italy and Cameroon.
- The University of Chieti-Pescara will work with the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to develop an international mobility programme for students and tutors of the BSc in Psychology.
The project also includes the creation of modern IT classrooms in Somalia and Cameroon, equipped with advanced technologies to support blended learning (online and face-to-face), ensuring inclusive and flexible access to higher education.
ITESHS funded by the EU under the NRRP
The ITESHS project has been funded by the European Union under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP): of the funds provided—by the Ministry of Universities and Research in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation under Mission 4, Component 1, Investment 3. 4, Sub-Investment T4 ‘Transnational Initiatives in Education’ NextGenerationEU— UniCamillus received the largest support with funding of €1,264,954, while the project as a whole was funded with €2,467,099.00.
Press Releases
The ITESHS project presented at UniCamillus University strengthens education and healthcare in Africa
Iteshs: al via il progetto per l’Africa di UniCamillus per formare medici pronti ad affrontare le emergenze (Il Sole 24 Ore, october 2024)
Formare medici per l’Africa, parte il progetto Iteshs (Corriere della Sera, october 2024)
Upcoming Events
Parenting and Culture Workshop 2025 | 9 - 10 may 2025, Department of Psychology. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara
The international workshop “Parenting and Culture: Cross-Cultural and International Migration Perspectives” will take place on May 9-10, 2025, hosted by the Department of Psychology. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara. This two-day event, organized in a hybrid format (both in-person and online), aims to bring together scholars, professionals, and researchers to foster meaningful dialogue on key issues surrounding parenting in diverse cultural and migration contexts.
The workshop will explore how parenting practices are shaped by cultural norms, migration experiences, and transnational influences. It will provide a unique platform to share cutting-edge research, practical experiences, and innovative approaches.
Participation is free of charge, and the event encourages broad involvement from around the world.