Highlights from the University Governing Bodies’ resolutions – April 2026

NOTICES
 

CUG Report 2025 and Positive Action Plan 2026–2029 
The Chair of the Joint Committee for Equal Opportunities (CUG) presented the report on activities carried out in 2025 to promote well-being, equal opportunities and the prevention of discrimination. These included training and awareness-raising initiatives, as well as contributions to the 2025–2027 Gender Equality Plan. The data analysis highlights persistent gender imbalances in recruitment committees for academic staff, which remain predominantly male, a pay gap in favour of men in senior management roles, and a greater use of work-life balance measures by women. The Committee also presented the new 2026–2029 Positive Action Plan, aimed at fostering a more equitable, inclusive and well-being-oriented working environment.  The Plan includes actions on gender equality, stress prevention, work-life balance, diversity enhancement and communication, structured around annual thematic priorities and continuous monitoring.

Gender Equality Plan (GEP) – 2025 Monitoring Report
The University presented the monitoring report on the 2025–2027 Gender Equality Plan (GEP), outlining the actions implemented in 2025. These include measures addressing work-life balance, organisational culture and the prevention of stereotypes, gender balance in leadership positions as well as in recruitment and career progression, the integration of the gender dimension in research and teaching, and the strengthening and expansion of the University’s tools to address gender-based violence.

Report of the Commission on Participation in Third-Party Bodies 2024–2025
The report on the monitoring of the University’s participation in external entities was presented, in line with the Guidelines approved in 2024. The Commission, which performs advisory and preparatory functions, reviews and provides opinions on proposals for the establishment, accession, amendment, renewal or termination of such participations. As part of its activities, it assesses financial and asset performance and verifies compliance with applicable regulations, University policies and governing documents (Statute, Regulations and Guidelines).

Bioethics Committee Report 2025–2026
The Chair of the Bioethics Committee presented the annual report on activities supporting research ethics and integrity. In the first year of its mandate, from March 2025 to February 2026, the Committee built on the work of the previous three-year period, strengthening its support to the academic community. Organisational improvements were introduced, training initiatives were promoted, and both internal and external collaborations were developed, including at regional level.

TEACHING

Reform of the Student Disciplinary Regulations
The revised disciplinary regulations were approved, introducing faster procedures, a more proportionate system of sanctions, and measures to address conduct that undermines personal dignity, including behaviour occurring outside the university context. The members of the Disciplinary Committee were also appointed from among the Academic Senate: Prof. Michele Caianiello (Chair), Prof. Elena Fabbri and Ms Arianna Castronovo as full members; Prof. Beatrice Fraboni, Prof. Nicola Grandi and Ms Cecilia Isidori as alternate members.

Degree Programme Offer 2027-2028: New Programmes and Redesigns
Approval was given to proceed with the review of the 2027-2028 degree programme offer proposed by Departments. The proposal includes 4 new programmes, 45 redesigns, 8 new double or multiple degree agreements, and 6 project funding applications. Based on the sustainability and feasibility assessment carried out by the University Quality Assurance Unit, and considering the high number of programmes activated for the  2026/27 academic year, the introduction of new programmes is conditional on the discontinuation of others with a comparable impact on resources and facilities. All proposals, whether for new programmes or redesigns, must be finalised by the end of June to allow for sustainability checks and compliance with ministerial deadlines.

Specialisation Schools in Cultural Heritage 2026 - 2027
The Specialisation Schools in Historical and Artistic Heritage and in Archaeological Heritage will also be offered for the 2026/27 academic year. The academic structure, available places and organisation of activities have been defined. Scholarships have been confirmed for both programmes.

Double Degree Agreement with Université Côte d’Azur (France)
The signing of a double degree agreement in Computer Engineering with Université Côte d’Azur has been approved. The two-year programme includes a one-year mobility period at the partner institution and will allow students to obtain both the Second-cycle Degree in Computer Engineering and the Master Informatique.

Advanced Training Courses (CAF) and Continuing Education Courses (CFP) 2026 - 2027
For the upcoming academic year, the University of Bologna will expand its offer of Advanced Training Courses (CAF) and Continuing Education Courses (CFP), with 29 proposals in the first round (September 2026 – January 2027), including 3 new courses and 26 renewals. These programmes aim to strengthen professional and lifelong learning opportunities in response to labour market needs.

RESEARCH AND THIRD MISSION

Einstein Telescope – ETBO”: joint research laboratory established with INFN
Approval was given for a 19-year agreement with the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) to establish the joint research laboratory “Einstein Telescope – ETBO” within University premises. The laboratory will operate in the fields of gravitational waves, astrophysics, cosmology, fundamental physics, advanced technologies and data analysis. Its objectives include advancing scientific knowledge, enhancing the capacity to attract research funding, and integrating researchers’ expertise.

University Breeding Project: 2026–2028 Funding and Agreement with AlmaCube
Approval was given for the continuation of the University Breeding Project on the genetic improvement of fruit plants, carried out by the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL). Approval was also given for a collaboration agreement with AlmaCube, aimed at analysing the market valorisation potential of the plant varieties developed by the University.

Framework Agreement with Associazione Orlando
A five-year Framework Agreement has been approved with the Associazione di Promozione Sociale Orlando, to consolidate a collaboration active for over twenty years in gender and feminist studies. The agreement includes research and training activities, access to the Italian Women’s Library and the Women’s History Archive, support initiatives for students, counselling services, and awareness-raising projects on equity and inclusion for the university community.

Framework Agreement with Associazione Filò – Il filo del pensiero
A favourable opinion was expressed on a three-year Framework Agreement with the Associazione di Promozione Sociale Filò – Il filo del pensiero, aimed at promoting philosophy across all age groups and fostering dialogue and philosophical practices.

Almae Matris Alumni Association: Renewal of Trademark Licence Agreement 
The renewal of the trademark licence agreement for the “Almae Matris Alumni” brand in favour of the Almae Matris Alumni Association was approved, with the aim of supporting initiatives intended to enhance the role of the University’s graduates in support of institutional activities.

STUDENT SERVICES

Student Contributions for Academic Year 2026/27 
The student contribution system for 2026/27 has been approved, in line with the model adopted in recent years. The system remains strongly inclusive, with a no-tax area for ISEE values up to €27,000 and particularly favourable contribution calculations for low and medium-low income brackets. The system is highly inclusive, featuring a no-tax area for ISEE values up to €27,000 and favourable contribution calculations for low and middle-low ISEE brackets.

Support Measures for Students
An extensive programme of support measures for the 2026/27 academic year has been approved. These include scholarships for students facing hardship, grants to cover housing and medical expenses for non-resident students, tuition waivers for new parents and families with multiple enrolled students. Also confirmed are the 150-hour part-time collaboration grants, tutoring incentives, and enrolment incentives for nationally and EU-prioritised programmes in the STEAM disciplines. Eligibility for student caregiver status has been expanded to include those residing in other regions. A pilot measure has been introduced to reimburse fees paid for individual learning activities for students enrolling in second-cycle degree programmes. For all measures involving competitive selection, priority criteria now include students who are eligible for but have not been awarded ER.GO scholarships.

Support Measures for Students at the Prison University Centre (PUP)
A favourable opinion was expressed on new financial and educational measures for students at the Prison University Centre, including the introduction of peer tutors to support individual study and exam preparation.

INTERNATIONALISATION

“Product Development Project” with Aalto University (Helsinki)
Approval was given for an agreement with Aalto University and the related call for applications, open to students enrolled in second-cycle and single-cycle degree programmes. The programme enables participation in the international “Product Development Project” (PDP) at Aalto Design Factory, where students work in multidisciplinary and international teams on innovation projects. Participants will receive 10 ECTS credits and a mobility grant to cover related expenses.

Agreements with Non-EU Universities
A favourable opinion was expressed on a framework agreement with Johns Hopkins University – Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (USA), aimed at promoting student and staff mobility, participation in European programmes, and the development of double or joint degree programmes.

BUDGET, PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT  

2025 University Financial Statement
The 2025 financial statement was approved, with a favourable opinion from the Academic Senate. A positive result of €32.8 million confirms the University’s financial soundness and sustainability, strengthening its assets and ensuring sufficient resources to support future development. The report highlights alignment between strategic planning and resource allocation, particularly in support of staff recruitment and development policies, as well as investments linked to PNRR projects, within a balanced growth framework for 2026–2028.

Annual Report on the University Quality Assurance System – 2025
The Governing Bodies issued a favourable opinion on the Annual Report on the University Quality Assurance System – 2025. The report outlines the evolution of the QA system across Departments, Degree Programmes and PhD Programmes; the monitoring and support activities carried out by the University Quality Assurance Unit (PQA) and relevant administrative areas; training and information initiatives; and the involvement of the PQA in evaluation processes and in the dissemination of CoARA principles.

STAFF AND ORGANIZATION  

Staff Planning 2026: Allocation of Budget Units and RTT Positions
Following the issuing of Ministerial Decree no. 719 of 9 October 2025, which allocated a recruitment quota of 71.18 budget points, including 5.25 as an advance on the 2025 allocation, the distribution of the remaining 65.93 budget points was approved as follows: 22 budget points were allocated to Departments for the recruitment of academic staff and laboratory technicians, with an additional 4.4 budget points set aside as incentive funding for winners of 2023 research projects; 26 budget points (equal to 79% of 2025 staff turnover) were allocated to technical and administrative staff. The 26 points allocated to professional staff are distributed as follows:  10.4 to Departments, including those resulting from departmental turnover; 5.7 to General Administration areas; 0.85 to structures under Article 26 of the Statute; 1.55 to reception and security staff; 0.6 to foreign language instructors and experts; 3.2 for cross-cutting staff support measures, such as increasing the fund for additional remuneration; and 3.7 at the disposal of the Director General, also for replacing managers approaching retirement. The remaining 17.93 budget points will be allocated to the undistributed quota. The allocation of 88 fixed-term tenure-track researcher positions under the 2026 Extraordinary RTT Plan, governed by Ministerial Decree no. 193/2026, was also approved. Of these, 86 were assigned to Departments and 2 placed at the disposal of the Board of Directors for future decisions.

Organisational restructuring of the General Administration concerning academic staff planning
The transfer of processes relating to the planning of academic and research staff from the Personnel Area (APOS) to the Planning, Programming and Communication Area (APPC) was approved. The aim is to better integrate staff planning with strategic planning, ensuring that recruitment is fully consistent with the sustainability and quality criteria for degree programmes and research. The measure is intended to promote a unified view of the strategic process and avoid fragmentation, with no change in the number of managerial posts.

ASSETS AND PROCUREMENT

University of Bologna Ravenna Campus: new teaching and research spaces
A free loan agreement, lasting three years and renewable for a further two years, has been approved between the University of Bologna, the Municipality of Ravenna and the Province of Ravenna for the use of the Palazzo dei Congressi in Largo Firenze and some areas of the connecting building with Palazzo Corradini. The spaces will be used for teaching, training and scientific activities of the Ravenna Campus. The agreement, whose implementation is subject to obtaining the necessary safety certifications, responds to the need of degree programmes, particularly in Medicine, Law and Engineering, for classrooms with a larger capacity than those currently available, as well as to the needs of the research groups of the Department of Cultural Heritage.

University Residences: Renewal of the Concession of the Via Cleto Tomba Property to ER.GO (Bologna)
Approval was given for the renewal of the free concession agreement for the property located in Via Cleto Tomba in favour of ER.GO – Regional Agency for the Right to Higher Education, to be used as a university residence. The concession, renewed for a further 19 years, ensures the continued use of the facility, which provides 64 beds, in support of the University’s right-to-study policies.

Renewal of the Concession of the Premises of the Centro de Altos Estudios de la Universidad de Bologna (Buenos Aires) 
Approval was given for the renewal of the free concession of the premises in Palazzo Italia, Buenos Aires, to the University of Bologna for the activities of the Centro de Altos Estudios de la Universidad de Bologna. The renewal, lasting six years, will allow the continuation of the University’s teaching and research activities in Argentina.

Villa Zeri: Agreement with the Ministry of Culture for the Enhancement of the Mentana Complex
A favourable opinion was expressed on the agreement between the University of Bologna and the Ministry of Culture for the enhancement of Villa Zeri, located in the municipality of Mentana (Rome). The agreement, lasting 49 years, provides for the inclusion of the complex in a protection and enhancement programme aimed at establishing a house museum, cultural venue and community space dedicated to the figure and scholarly legacy of Federico Zeri. The agreement regulates the use of the Villa, the surrounding land and the historical artefacts housed within the complex, defining the roles and responsibilities of the parties and establishing a Scientific Committee with advisory functions.

PARTICIPATION IN EXTERNAL ENTITIES

 Bologna Business School (BBS): Amendments to the Statute
Amendments to the Statute of the Bologna Business School (BBS) Foundation were approved, introducing a new organisational structure through the strengthening of executive management. The role of Executive President has been established and new responsibilities have been assigned to the Dean. The Statute also introduces the role of Honorary President, expands the composition of the Steering Committee, whose opinions become non-binding, and includes adjustments to the functioning of the Board of Directors.

New Composition of the RESTART Foundation
The new composition of RESTART – RESearch and innovation on future Telecommunications systems and networks, to make Italy more smart, was ratified. The following entities joined the Foundation: Apeiroon S.r.l., FiberCop S.p.A., Sensor ID S.r.l., SPICI S.r.l. – Società per l’Innovazione, la Cooperazione e l’Internazionalizzazione, Wave Up S.r.l., Telebit S.p.A., Università Politecnica delle Marche, Fabbrica Italiana per l’Innovazione – Società Benefit, Keysight Technologies Inc. 

New Spin-off: Indirect Participation in “Magnetic Future S.r.l.” through BeHold S.r.l.
A favourable opinion was expressed on the acquisition of an indirect participation in the spin-off “Magnetic Future S.r.l.” through BeHold S.r.l., the University’s in-house holding company. The company originates from a research group within the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi” (DEI) and aims to develop innovative technologies for powering superconducting magnets.

 
All resolutions are available on Organi web and Intranet