Siena – A Rwandan student, a refugee in Uganda, has finally arrived in Italy to pursue his studies, thanks to a scholarship offered by the University of Siena as part of the UNICORE 6.0 – University Corridors for Refugees project. This initiative, promoted by UNHCR, aims to offer refugee students residing in selected African countries the opportunity to complete their academic studies at Italian universities.

Cerestine, the selected student, won the scholarship by achieving the highest score from a shortlist of 16 eligible candidates, in accordance with the conditions set by the UNICORE 6.0 call for applications, which received over 1,750 submissions. With the support of the University of Siena, he will now be able to study, have accommodation for the entire duration of his studies, and benefit from free meals thanks to the assistance provided by Caritas of Siena.

Cerestine was born in 1996 in a refugee camp in Uganda to two Rwandan nationals who had been granted refugee status after fleeing during the tragic events of the Rwandan genocide, which took place between April and July 1994. In Uganda, Cerestine successfully completed his secondary studies, earning a Bachelor of Science with Education – Secondary, and conducted research focused on environmental sustainability and climate change, with a particular emphasis on the conditions of families in the Nakivale refugee settlement and host communities.

He applied to the UNICORE 6.0 program, selecting the University of Siena from among all the participating Italian universities, and requested to be admitted to the Chemistry degree program, which he will begin this academic year. (9colonne)