The PROGRESS project intends to significantly contribute to the modernizatioThis project intends to significantly contribute to the modernization of the higher education (HE) system of the Republic of Burundi, thus increasing its currently very low internationalization profile. The recipients of the project are the teaching staff, students and administrative staff of three Burundian universities, two of which are located in the economic capital of the country, Bujumbura, and the third in the city of Ngozi, in the north-east of the country. Burundi is a small, densely populated country, part of the East Africa Community since 2007. The level of economic and infrastructural development is very low, and Burundi, despite progress made in recent years, continues to be among the poorest countries in the world. Although a newfound, partial, socio-political stability has fostered some infrastructural progress, the gap between Burundi, especially in its rural areas, and the other EAC members risks becoming soon unsustainable. It is therefore urgent to concretely strengthen the country's HE system and its training capabilities, to create an entrepreneurial spirit, to promote stable relationships with European universities and to align training curricula with economic needs and development trajectories in the geo-political system of reference. This project, which sees the University of Parma and Helsinki as European partners, proposes a model for the development of the training system of the three partner universities (which will then become an example for the other institutions in the country) using as case application the development of bachelor's and master's curricula in pharmaceutical sciences and food sciences and technology. These two areas intercept fundamental needs for the economic development of the country, as safety, healthiness and food and pharmaceutical sovereignty are irreplaceable pillars for the well-being and wealth of citizens and their quality of life.