HISTORICAL OUTLINE

Inspired by a profound desire for cultural co-operation, the Rector of the University of Bari and a group of University professors combined to lay the foundations for a stable union of University Cultural Institutions. This collaborative undertaking aimed to promote the civil and social development of peoples which, despite their wide geographical divergence, have always been united by slender but enduring threads, not only due to geographical links but also of an ethical and religious nature.

The Community of Mediterranean University (CMU) was thus set up in 1983, to generate a process of renewal and modernisation which would help its adhering members to overcome many serious problems. As the years passed, this process has continued by means of a series of initiatives that have met with such widespread support that the CMU now numbers over 160 members.

In the course of nearly fifteen years of activities, CMU has maintained an intense rhythm of activities, as demonstrated by the number of grants bestowed on young research workers from Universities in the Mediterranean area, by participation in research projects set up by at least three Universities from at least three Mediterranean countries, by the opening of the Mediterranean University Schools which aim to promote both scientific meetings and training courses for University researchers.

The Mediterranean University Schools (of which there are now 20, belonging to different scientific areas) constitute an excellent meeting ground for specialists in the various fields working in the Mediterranean Universities, as well as a fruitful training centre for young graduates.

CMU also has strong connections with supranational organisation like UNESCO, the European Union, the European Council.

A first co-operative agreement signed with UNESCO on the 7.10.1992 was followed by another subscribed on the 2.8.97, which officially recognised the CMU as an NGO - formal relations (consultative).

LEGAL STATUS:

CMU is a consortium of Mediterranean Universities founded in 1983 according to article 91 of the DPR 382/1980. It is registered at the Chamber of Commerce in Bari (Italy).

VAT code: 05048350721.

AIMS:

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• to re-establish and develop the role and function of culture and of scientific and technological research as a means of stimulating growth in the Mediterranean countries. The ultimate aim, apart from that of favouring progress in science, is to inspire closer relationships among the peoples of the Mediterranean basin and their civil and social development;

   

• to promote scientific co-operation among Mediterranean Universities whilst fully respecting the different nations, as a means of sharing in experiences, methodologies and the results of research projects;

   

• to set up permanent links among the Universities, featuring reciprocal exchanges of information and cultural and scientific experiences, of teaching staff and students.

FUNDING:

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• membership fees paid by the member Universities;

   

• contributions given by Ministries, local Governments, national and international scientific organisations.

HEAD OFFICE:

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• in view of the historical tradition whereby Apulia has always been the meeting point of the different Mediterranean cultures, the official head office of CMU, as per statutory norms, is in the University of Bari, tel: ++39 805560786 - 805478203.

ACTIVITIES:

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• CMU actuates this co-operation among Universities by means of funding and setting up research projects on problems of common interest; didactic activities involving teacher and student exchanges and the opening of Mediterranean University Schools, grants offered to students and young research workers, to be used on the premises of CMU member Universities; information exchanges in the field of Scientific research;

   

• Exchanges of scientific staff, teaching staff and students;

   

• Organisation of seminars, courses, symposia, meetings;

   

• Grants: (bestowed since 1987: 152) Albania 17; Egypt 20; France 8; Iraq 1, Israel 2; Italy 32; Yugoslavia 2; Lebanon 5; Libya 3; Malta 5; Morocco 19; Spain 15; Tunisia 2; Turkey 6.

   

• Exchange of information leaflets; publications, etc.

AGREEMENTS:

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• UNESCO-CMU signed on the 7 October 1992, for targeted activities in fields of great importance and underdeveloped areas. Contract n. 105.224.3 approved a course on Public Health teaching held in 1993-4 in Tirana (Albania) and in Bari (Italy). The II phase of this course on Public Health was held in 1995, under contract n. 105.034.4.

   

• CMU has been a member of the UNESCO Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) since 1987. It now belongs to the category of "Formal Relations (consultative)".

CUM-HIST/CUM3