University of Milan

University of Milan
Università degli Studi di Milano
Motto	Scientia illuminans dignus
Motto in English	Knowledge enlightening the worthy
Established	1924
Type	State-supported
Endowment	562 million euros
Rector	Prof. Enrico Decleva
Academic staff	4,210
Students	62,801
Location	Milan, Italy
Campus	City
Sports teams	CUS Milano (http://www.cusmilano.it/)
Colours	Milan Blue
Website	www.unimi.it/

The University of Milan (Italian: Università degli Studi di Milano, "Statale") is a higher education institution in Milan, Italy. It is one of the largest universities in Europe, with about 62,801 students, a teaching and research staff of 2,455 and a non-teaching staff of 2,200.

The university is a member of the League of European Research Universities.

The University offers 9 Faculties, 134 study courses (divided between 1st and 2nd level degree programes), 19 Doctoral Schools and 92 Specialization Schools. The 2,500 professors represent the highest concentration of scientific expertise in the region and the University's research is ranked among the best in Italy and Europe.

The University of Milan has broadened its area of activity over the years to meet the needs of a rapidly developing society. As a consequence the number of Faculties has been increased including Agriculture, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Political Sciences and Exercise Sciences.

The University's research and teaching activities have developed over the years and have received important international recognitions. The University is the only Italian member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), a prestigious group of twenty-two research-intensive European Universities. It has also been awarded the following ranking positions: -1st in Italy and 7th in Europe (The Leiden Ranking - Universiteit Leiden) -1st in Italy, between 35th and 56th in Europe, between 101st and 150th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities - Shangai Jiao Tong University) -1st in Italy, 16th in Europe and 74th in the world (Council of Taiwan).

Located in one of the most industrialized geographical areas in Europe, the University of Milan operates in a strongly business-oriented environment covering both domestic and foreign markets and where the progress of knowledge goes hand-in-hand with the transfer of results to the industry world. This constitutes a priority for a university playing, with its broad range of expertise, a decisive role in increasing the competitiveness of enterprises through the processes of innovation which generate wide-ranging economic and social benefits at international level.

Throughout Milan, the University is commonly nicknamed and referred to as Statale (eng. State) to avoid confusion with other private universities in the city, such as the Business University Luigi Bocconi, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) and the Free University of Languages and Communication (IULM).

History

Via Festa del Perdono, ancient seat of the "Ospedal Maggiore" (Greater Hospital), now seat of the University of Milan

The Birth

The University of Milan was founded in 1924, uniting two institutions that boasted a great tradition of medical, scientific and humanistic studies: the Accademia Scientifico-Letteraria (Scientific-Literary Academy), active since 1861, and the Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento (Clinical Specialisation Institutes), established in 1906. By 1928, the University already had the fourth-highest number of enrolled students in Italy, after Naples, Rome and Padua, distinguishing itself through the high profile of its teaching staff. Its premises are located in Città Studi (the City of Studies), the university quarter constructed from 1915 onwards that is home to the scientific faculties, and in several buildings in the historic city centre, which house the humanities faculties. At the time of its foundation, there were four “traditional” faculties - Law, Humanities, Medicine and Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences; then, in the 1930s, the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture were introduced, after the aggregation of the old schools of Veterinary Medicine (1792) and Agriculture (1871). At the end of the Second World War, the old Ospedale dei Poveri (Hospital for the Poor), known as “la Cà Granda” (the Big House), was assigned to the University. The building, one of the first Italian examples of civil architecture - commissioned in the 15th century by the Sforza family, the dukes of Milan - was seriously damaged by the bombings of 1943. In 1958, after a complex series of reconstruction and renovation works, it became home to the University Rector’s Office, the administrative offices and the Faculties of Law and Humanities.

The 1960s Reformation

In the 1960s, due to the extension of compulsory school attendance and the subsequent liberalisation of access to university education, the number of people entering Italian universities progressively increased and the University of Milan enrolled more than 60,000 students. The University added to its range of courses and at the same time increased its number of centres. Two new faculties were established, Pharmacy and Social and Political Sciences, which were based, respectively, in Città Studi and in Via Conservatorio, in the centre of Milan. Città Studi was also the site of a new complex, intended entirely for the biology departments, which was the work of architect Vico Magistretti, one of the fathers of Italian design. There was also an increase in the number of agreements with the city’s hospital facilities, where students from the Faculty of Medicine receive their clinical training. In 1968, the University occupied approximately 127 thousand square metres; by the beginning of the 1980s this had increased to 205 thousand square metres. In 1989 there were 22 degree courses and 75 thousand enrolled students, a number which would rise to 90 thousand by 1993.

The 1980s Streamline Process

In view of this increase, the University began a process of streamlining and delocalising its facilities: from 1986 onwards, new centres began to appear in other areas of Milan, particularly in the Bicocca district, as well as in other parts of the region, in Como, Varese, Crema and Lodi. In 1998, the University split in two and the city’s second public institution was founded: The University of Milan-Bicocca. The University of Insubria was also established in Varese, bringing together courses that were already offered at Varese and Como by the Universities of Milan and Pavia. At the conclusion of this process, notwithstanding the reduction in the number of students, the University of Milan was still the largest institution in the Lombardy region and still one of the largest in the country. The 2001 law that transformed the education system opened a new phase of change. The University updated its range of courses, adapting them to better suit the evolution of the social demand for education and the innovation of the production system: thus, the number of degree courses rose to 74 and there was a new increase in enrolments. There was also an increase in the University’s commitment to providing student services (orientation, internships and training, online education) and in investments for new education and research facilities (covering approximately 80 thousand square metres). The most recent phase of expansion concerned the fields of communication science, intercultural mediation and art, but there are also ongoing projects relating to the sectors of information technology, veterinary medicine and biomedicine. Furthermore, there was also a strengthening of commitment to technology transfer and the practical application of scientific research results in the economic-production context.

The Present

At the present time, the University offers 9 faculties, 134 study courses (divided between 1st and 2nd level degree programmes), 19 doctoral schools (scuole di dottorato) and 92 specialisation schools (scuole di specializzazione). Approximately 65,000 students are enrolled at the University. The teaching staff is composed of 2,500 tenured professors and researchers and approximately 500 adjunct professors. More than 2,300 people work in the technical and administrative sector. The University of Milan was one of the institutions that helped to found LERU, the League of European Research Universities, and is the only Italian University to be a member of the organisation. Thanks to its commitment to basic and applied research, the University is among the top institutions in the main national and international rankings.

The University

The University of Milan is a public teaching and research university, which - with 9 faculties and a teaching staff of 2,196 professors - is distinguished by its wide variety of disciplinary fields. A leading institute in Italy and Europe for scientific productivity, the University of Milan is the largest university in the region, with approximately 65,000 students; it is also an important resource for the socio-economic context of which it is a part. Milan is, in fact, the capital of Lombardy, one of the most dynamic and international regions in the European Union, a leader in the national economy that stands at the Italian forefront of research and development investments and commitment to technological innovation. The University of Milan also possesses a remarkable artistic and cultural heritage that includes important historic buildings, inherited and acquired collections, archives, botanical gardens and the old Brera Observatory commissioned by Maria Teresa of Austria. The University’s departments are housed in important historic edifices in the centre of Milan and in modern buildings in the area known as Città Studi (the City of Studies). Among the palazzos that house the University’s facilities are the old “Ca’ Granda” ("the big house") – a monumental complex from the 15th-century in the heart of the historical city centre - the 18th-century Palazzo Greppi designed by Giuseppe Piermarini – who built the Scala Theatre in Milan – and the 17th-century Sant’Alessandro College commissioned by the Arcimboldi family. The book collection, which is one of the richest in the region, is preserved in 87 libraries, while the APICE Centre collects rare and valuable book stocks and archives. The University also has a Choir and its own Orchestra, which actively contributes to the cultural life of the city and receives international acknowledgements on an increasingly frequent basis.

Facts and Figures

Facilities

Academic and Research Resources and Facilities Faculties: 9 Research Departments: 69 Inter-departmental Research Centres: 29 Libraries: 83 A digital libraries with 9,608 titles online and 173 data banks

Premises

Total surface area: 500,000 square metres Total number of premises (street numbers): 85 Classrooms: 356 with approximately 27,382 seats Teaching and computer laboratories: 203 with approximately 1,831 seats Libraries and study rooms: 171 with approximately 4,417 seats top

People

Total Staff: 4,210

Full professors: 608

Associate professors: 660

Researchers: 938

Full-time technical-administrative staff 1,923

Temporary technical-administrative staff 81

Young People Undertaking Research Training with doctoral scholarships: 1,032

with research grants: 801

Students (academic year 2010/11) Total enrolled students (including matriculated students): 65,234

Enrolled in bachelor and single-cycle degree programmes: 49,476 (including 2,093 foreign students)

Enrolled in all postgraduate courses: 4,354 (including 230 foreign students)

Matriculated students 17,823

Educational Programme

First Cycle 1st level degrees: 69

Single-cycle degrees: 9

Second Cycle 2nd level degrees: 57 Master: 15

Third Cycle Research doctorate schools: 20 Specialisation schools: 74 Master: 11 Advanced courses: 81 (a.a. 2011-2012) Placements Internships and apprenticeships: 2,900

Qualifications Awarded

1st level and single-cycle degrees: 6,533

2nd level degrees: 2,682

Research doctorate diplomas: 522

Specialisation diplomas: 434

Others (1st and 2nd level master, advanced): 1,334

Research

Publications: approximately 29,421 in the last 3 years

672 new research projects (296 funded by European and national programmes, 376 by contracts)

More than 1000 research projects currently underway

Positions in International Rankings

1st place in Italy, 10th in Europe, 44th in the world (The Leiden Ranking – Universiteit Leiden)

Between 1st and 3rd place in Italy, between 34th and 56th in Europe, between 101st and 150th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities - Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

1st place in Italy, 27th in Europe, 99th in the world (Council of Taiwan) top

Budget

In 2010, income – excluding special accounting and clearing entries – amounted to 562 million euros, primarily from:

State: 331 million for normal running costs

Students: 91 million in the form of fees and contributions

Public and private institutions: 59 million for research activities

Sports, Arts and Entertainment

Sporting Activities

The CUS, Centro Universitario Sportivo, or University Sports Centre, is an amateur sports association which, for the last 60 years, has promoted the practice of physical education and sport by students and university collaborators. Every year, the centre organises a vast range of sports courses, which cover everything from traditional disciplines, such as swimming and athletics, to more modern activities, such as hydro-biking, yoga and capoeira.

Arts and Entertainment

University of Milan students can take part in music and theatre initiatives organised by the University’s resident cultural institutions, which include the Orchestra, the Choir and the CUT, the University Theatre Centre. The University of Milan Orchestra offers students the possibility to audition for a classical music ensemble that is both young and prestigious, thanks to its close collaboration with the “Giuseppe Verdi” Conservatory of Milan and the direction of Maestro Alessandro Crudele.

The University Choir is composed of university staff, students, professors and enthusiasts from outside the university. It is possible to become a member by passing an audition.

The Centro Universitario Teatrale (Italian text), or University Theatre Centre, is currently directed by Professor Alberto Bentoglio and collaborates actively with groups of university students who have been involved in theatre productions for several years. top

Concessions for Cultural Activities

The University works closely with cinema, theatre, dance and music agents, to provide their students and collaborators with access to cultural initiatives and services at reduced prices.

Theaters

Apollo (General) Anteo (General) MonzaCinema (General) MilanoFilmFestival (One of the most prestigious film festivals in the world) Centro Culturale Multimediale of Sesto San Giovanni (Artistic Fimls)

Organization

These are the 9 faculties in which the university is divided into:

• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (activated in 2010 also in English Language - MIMed)
• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Political Science
• Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

See also

• List of early modern universities in Europe
• List of Italian universities
• Nicolò Cesa-Bianchi
• Giuseppe Scaraffia

External links

• University of Milan Website - English Version
• University of Milan Website (Italian)