New Initiatives
Creation of a Research Network
FOCUSER aims to create a strong research network in food processing, expanding the collaborations already in place among the five partner universities. This network aspires to compete with the world leaders in food sciences, enhancing the international competitiveness of Italian universities.
Synergies with PNRR Projects
Research activities will be closely interconnected and complementary with projects funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) in the food sector, including:
- ON Foods – Research and Innovation Network on Food and Nutrition Sustainability, Safety and Security
(involving UNIPR, UCSC, UNIBO)
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC)
(involving UNIMORE, UNIBO, UCSC)
- ECOSISTER – Ecosystem for Sustainable Transition in Emilia-Romagna
(bringing together all five partner universities)
- AGRITECH – National Research Centre for Agricultural Technologies
(involving UNIBO, UCSC, UNIPR)
Active Collaborations among FOCUSER Partners
The international interuniversity MSc in Food Safety and Food Risk Management, coordinated by UNIPR and offered in partnership with UCSC, UNIMORE, UNIBO, and UNIFE, is delivered in English and has already demonstrated strong international appeal.
The Emilia-Romagna Food Science Advanced Doctoral Training Programme involves UNIPR, UCSC, UNIBO, and UNIMORE.
The Parma Summer School, an international event promoted by EFSA together with UNIPR and UCSC, has been active since 2017 on topics of food safety and risk assessment.
All five universities are partners in the Clust-ER Agroalimentare of the Emilia-Romagna Region, a public-private association that promotes the competitiveness of the sector.
Several other regional (POR-FESR, PSR) and European projects (PRIMA, H2020) involve two or more FOCUSER partners on relevant topics, including MicroEmiRo, SOSTINNOVI, INNOFRUVE, VALORI BIO, GREEN CHARCUTERIE, SMARTWHEAT, FLIES4VALUE, and MiMe4Health.
Cooperation Programs with the MENA Region
FOCUSER partners have already established strong relationships with institutions and organisations in the MENA region:
UCSC has numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with universities in Oman, Pakistan, Armenia, Israel, Palestine, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. It is also active in international development cooperation projects in the Arab-Mediterranean area and has signed an MoU with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). Research collaborations are ongoing with Tunisian universities.
UNIBO has signed a framework agreement with Ada University (Azerbaijan) for PhD training and the development of agri-food teaching facilities, and a cooperation agreement with the Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture of Meknes (Morocco).
UNIPR has mobility agreements with Hawassa University (Ethiopia) and framework agreements with universities in Algeria, Morocco, Palestine, and Syria. It participates in exchange initiatives, mainly for PhD students, with Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt under PRIMA projects.
UNIMORE has doctoral and faculty exchanges with the University of Monastir and the National Institute of Applied Science and Technology (INSAT) in Tunisia.