(September 14, 2016) “I am very grateful to the University of Milan-Bicocca for hosting some of the most disadvantaged students in the world, victims of genocide. This means a lot to all of us”, wrote on Twitter Nadia Murad Basee Taha. Nadia is a young 23 YO Yazidi woman that has managed to survive the ISIS violence after being kidnapped and sold to militia groups in 2014. Since then she has decided to make her trauma a source of strenght: her mission is to denounce at the United Nations, the International Criminal Court and to world public opinion the Yazidis genocide and the related crimes against humanity. The young activist has welcomed with enthusiasm the initiative of the Lombard university: the University of Milan-Bicocca has decided to welcome among its students ten young persons of Yazidi religion to enable them to resume their studies interrupted because of armed conflicts and occupations in the Middle East. The University has received the request for help launched by the Yazda association at the meeting with Nadia Murad, on May 4 in the Great Hall, which set out the harsh reality with which young Yazidis are confronted daily. The University of Milano-Bicocca, translating into practice a stand against all forms of discrimination, has decided to host the ten students to give them the opportunity to resume their studies. Some had broken a master’s degree, while others are now starting the three-year period: the University will take over the payment of food, housing and attendance. The ten Yazidi students attend courses of Italian and will be able to enroll in open degree programs (not the Medical School, for example). However, those among them who are interested in attending courses such as Medicine and Dentistry will still be able to follow this year’s individual teachings and to take the access tests next year test, with the chance, if they pass, for the recognition of already acquired training credits. (PO / red)
