University Highlights: key resolutions - February 2024

NOTICES

New Seal and Revised Identity System
The new University of Bologna seal has been officially introduced with the launch of the new University Website homepage. The news comes at the end of a restyling project based on the principle of simplification. In terms of graphics, a single colour has been chosen; in terms of architecture, all declinations of the University seal use the main seal in an unchanged form.

Garisenda
A framework agreement has been signed between the Municipality and the University of Bologna for the monitoring of the two Towers. This agreement enables the University to contribute its expertise and leverage its wealth of information and knowledge to develop innovative research projects. It also facilitates the undertaking of analyses and academic investigations.

TEACHING

New Guidelines for the Activation of Professional Master’s Programmes
Numerous changes have been implemented in the guidelines governing the commencement of professional master's programs for the academic year 2024-2025, anticipating a forthcoming process scheduled for the academic year 2025-2026. Primarily, these innovations entail a heightened involvement of the Departments: professional master's programs are now required to be designed in alignment with the continuity of first, second, and third cycle programs. This ensures that there is no overlap in the teaching contents and that the targets and training objectives remain distinct. Additionally, the revised activation process aims to progressively align professional master's programs with the broader planning activities of the University.

RESEARCH

VRA Report 2022
The University Research Evaluation Report (VRA 2022) was presented. It was the result of a major revision process to streamline and simplify the evaluation mechanism. The aim was to align the evaluation system with the corresponding national operations in force and make it more functional to the University's development needs. The response of the academic community to the VRA was very broad: given that participation is voluntary, this confirms the perceived importance of the process and a general satisfaction with the new evaluation mechanism.

STAFF

Amendment of the Ethical Code of Behaviour
23 contributions were accepted as a result of the public consultation launched by the University on a special website created with the aim of ensuring the transparency of the amendment process and encouraging the involvement of both the university community and all stakeholders.

The amended text of the University Code takes due account of the debate and contributions that have emerged in the general process of discussion and participation of the University Governing Bodies, the entire university community, and all stakeholders.

University Statute
The comments of the Italian Ministry of University and Research on the new University Statute have been accepted, a few remarks on circumscribed aspects that confirm the validity of the choices made after months of fruitful discussion. The publication in the Official Gazette, scheduled for the beginning of March, will mark the entry into force of the University of Bologna's fundamental charter: among the main innovations, greater democracy and representation in the governing bodies, a strong focus on quality teaching thanks to the central role of the Departments, and a strong focus on public commitment and the University's social role.

Staff programming 2024
Following the approval in December 2023 of the 2024 – 2026 multi-year budget, which covers 20 points for technical and administrative staff planning in the first year, it was decided to allocate 10.05 points to Departments to support teaching planning, PhD programmes and the consolidation of the Teacher Training Centre; 8.75 points for the recruitment of technicians to support research and teaching; and 1.2 points for the recruitment of Language Experts and Teachers. A number of measures were also passed for teaching and research staff, aimed in particular at funding direct calls for scholars from abroad.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Unibo - Global South
After two experimental editions, the University is launching the 'Unibo - Global South' call, an initiative designed to implement and/or consolidate relevant projects in the field of development cooperation. The new call - with a budget of EUR 200,000 - will fund a selection of proposals that respond to the needs expressed by countries and local partners in the Global South. This enhances the University's proactive role in development cooperation, fostering the interconnection between education, research, innovation and social benefits, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

PARTECIPATION IN EXTERNAL BODIES

Alma Mater Foundation
The Activity Plan of the Alma Mater Foundation - FAM was presented for the three-year period 2023-2025. It is based on three main strategic objectives: post-grad training and events, competitive research, support activities in administrative, accounting and legal management for the benefit of projects, study centres and legal entities in which the University of Bologna is subsidiary, also at an international level.

All resolutions are available on: 

Bodies website
Intranet