About the Programme
The IHEA Foundation (International Higher Education Alliance), established in October 2020, is dedicated to fostering innovative and collaborative approaches to transnational higher education across Africa; from the Mediterranean region to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through its flagship initiative, SHARE_Africa (Science Hubs for Advanced Research & Education with Africa), the Foundation promotes peer-to-peer scientific cooperation between six leading Italian universities — the University of Bologna, University of Florence, University of Naples “Federico II”, University of Padua, “Sapienza” University of Rome, and Politecnico di Milano — and several African higher education institutions.
Building on previous successes, including specialized Masters and intensive courses in Ethiopia and Tunisia, the 2025 edition of the Blended Executive Program (BEP) focuses on Sustainable Business for New Challenges. The program will equip participants with interdisciplinary and practical expertise in sustainable business management, merging insights from management sciences and applied chemistry within the African development context.
Programme Structure
The programme combines online and in-person learning for a holistic experience:
- Online learning: MOOCs and live virtual sessions begin November 14, 2025.
- In-person training: A two-week immersive session at IHEC Carthage – Université de Carthage (Tunisia) by January 2026.
During the in-person component, participants will engage in lectures, lab exercises, and case study analyses to apply the knowledge gained throughout the course.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will:
- Gain a deep understanding of sustainable business practices and their role in Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
- Acquire analytical and quantitative tools to design and implement effective sustainability strategies.
- Develop the ability to address sustainability challenges using an integrated approach across economics, management, and applied chemistry.
Benefits
- Zero-cost participation in the BEP program on Sustainable Business for New Challenges.
- Up to 25 scholarships (worth up to EUR 4,000) available to cover participation-related expenses.
- Hands-on experience through interactive sessions, practical exercises, and collaboration with peers and experts across Africa and Italy.
- Opportunity to join a growing network of sustainability scholars and practitioners driving change across the continent.
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career researchers from the following African countries: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree (or equivalent) by the start date of the program.
- Demonstrate clear interest and commitment to sustainable business practices through their CV.
- Submit a support letter in English (on official letterhead, signed by a Head of Unit, Department, or Supervisor).
- Possess a good command of spoken and written English (an English certificate is optional but recommended).
Applications that are incomplete or inconsistent will be considered ineligible. The selection process upholds equal opportunity principles, ensuring fairness regardless of gender, race, religion, age, or disability.
How to Apply
- Interested candidates must submit their applications by email on or before October 21, 2025, to: selezioni@disei.unifi.it
- The email subject should be formatted as follows:
Name Surname_Application TNE-ShareAfrica BEP – Sustainable Business for New Challenges
- The following required documents should be attached to the body of the mail:
- Completed application form (Annex 2)
- Copy of bachelor’s or master’s degree certificate
- Copy of valid passport
- Curriculum Vitae (in English, maximum 2 pages)
- Support letter (in English, maximum 1 page, on official letterhead, signed)
- Optional: English proficiency certificate or additional documents demonstrating relevant experience
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Evaluation and Selection
Applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee based on the following criteria:
- Degree grade (1–10 points)
- Relevant academic/professional experience (1–5 points)
- Quality of support letter (1–5 points)
- Alignment of candidate’s profile with program objectives (1–5 points)
Maximum Score: 25 points
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews (in English).
Timeline
- Call Opens: September 25, 2025
- Application Deadline: October 21, 2025
- Selection Results: End of October 2025
- Online Classes Begin: November 14, 2025
- In-Person Training (Tunisia): By January 2026
This Blended Executive Program is organized by IHEA Foundation in collaboration with SHARE_Africa and six leading Italian universities, funded by UNIFI under the SHARE_Africa Project (CUP E46E24000010006). To learn more about the programme, visit the official call website.
