The University of Douala in Cameroon is to run an Italian language degree course for the academic year 2015-16. The course was launched with an Open Day on the occasion of the 14th edition of the Italian Language in the World Week.

Aside from 250 students, the event was attended by the cultural attache of the Italian Embassy, Raffaella Anselmi, the Honorary Vice Consul of Douala and Pirelli commercial director, Mauro Battistella, plus two future course teachers, Kouam Kgocka Valery and Pierre Nguassa Zoleko, both of whom specialise in Italian.

The meeting was moderated by the dean of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Samuel Mozo'o, who officially announced the launch from March of the first experimental Italian courses prior to the opening of the Italian degree, which will join the Spanish and German courses already held at the university.

The Italian degree course will provide job opportunities for young Cameroonians through Italy's substantial economic presence.

Cameroonian specialists in the Italian language and culture are needed to support the growth of the country's relationship with the peninsular, represented today by about 80 Italian companies or interests directly employing more than 15,000 Cameroonians, said Mr Battistella.