The Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) had the pleasure of hosting Prof. Sarr and Prof. Fall from the Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD) for a two-day institutional visit promoted by Dr. Eugenio Cavallo, Science Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Dakar.
The visit included a tour of several key research laboratories — DiSVA, D3A, and SIMAU — offering the delegation an overview of UNIVPM’s advanced scientific facilities and multidisciplinary research environment.
A round table discussion with academic and institutional stakeholders provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives, identify synergies, and outline potential avenues for collaboration. The programme will continue with a field visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties.
A central moment of the event was the presentation of the AlFunFeed project by Prof. Ike Olivotto. During his talk, Prof. Olivotto illustrated the project’s innovative approach to designing sustainable and functional aquafeeds capable of improving fish health, enhancing production efficiency, and promoting environmentally responsible aquaculture. These themes represent areas of strong shared interest between UNIVPM and IUPA.
The overarching goal of the mission was to highlight the strengths of the Italian higher education and research system and to explore collaborative opportunities with UCAD’s Institut Universitaire de Pêche et d’Aquaculture (IUPA), a leading centre in West Africa for fisheries and aquaculture.
This initiative stands as a valuable example of scientific diplomacy, reinforcing long-term cooperation with Sub-Saharan Africa in education, research, and innovation.
