Genesis

The Scuola Superiore ISUFI (University of Salento), and in particular the Euro Mediterranean Incubator, launches in 2003, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR), an integrated program of research and innovation aimed to set up methodologies, models and technological platforms enabling the transition of Mediterranean Area towards the Net Economy.
This program is focused on creating a Mediterranean School, conceived as a network of competence centers to develop qualified human capital and to promote new projects for diffusing strategic, digital and organizational innovation to support the modernization of traditional productive industries (Agro industry, Tourism and Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts), of Public Administration, as well as of high-tech sectors (Aeronautics, Aerospace, Electronics, Software and Automotive).

The start-up of the program took place within a bilateral cooperation workshop, held in Lecce in June 2004, that constituted the basis for the strategic partnership between Scuola Superiore ISUFI and the Al Akhawayn University. All the information related to this workshop are available in the proceedings.

Today, in addition to the Italian headquarter represented by the Euro Mediterranean Incubator, there are three more active competence centers:

• one in Morocco, in partnership with Al Akhawayn University, and enlarged also through an agreement signed with the CGEM (Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc);
• one in Jordan, in partnership with The University of Jordan;
• one in Tunisia, in partnership with Technopole El-Gazala of Tunisi and the sponsorship of the Tunisian Ministry of ICT.