(24 May 2017) Sudanese students enrolled at the University of Khartoum will be able to take advantage of a room devoted entirely to Italian language teaching and Italian culture called "Marco Polo". It was inaugurated on May 23 in the Department of Linguistics in the presence of the Rector of the University, the Directors of the Faculties of Languages and Art, and a large number of students and sympathizers. The first 60-hour Italian course, designed with the expertise of the syllabus, texts and the experience of the Dante Alighieri Society is under way. The students are ready to face a second year of education this coming September to accompany them to Dante's PLIDA exams to acquire an A2 Italian diploma. The Italian Ambassador to Khartoum, Fabrizio Lobasso underlines, "there is already a waiting list for the A1 beginner's course which, in addition to the current Italian course at the International University of Africa and the one commencing in September at the El Nilain University in Khartoum; projects us more than ever into the local academic world, in search of greater spaces, until one day establishing Italian Studies departments in the country". (Red)

A DEFEATED CHALLENGE

"This is a challenge that was won with tenacity and patience with the support and passion of the Sudanese towards Italy, the Department of Linguistics at the University of Khartoum and above all, with the generosity of the Italian company, Pentax SpA," commented Lobasso. After the refurbishment of other classrooms at the Comboni Italian Centre, the commitment of the leading Italian company in Sudan in the hydraulic pumps sector continues, whose general manager, Giorgio Pedrollo attended the opening of the Italian room in the University of Khartoum.