University Highlights: Key Resolutions – March 2026

NOTICES

University policies and programme catalogue planning for 2023–2027 
The document setting out the University of Bologna’s strategic approach to academic programme policies for the 2023–2027 period has been presented to the Academic Senate and the Board of Governors, confirming the strategic directions already approved in 2024 and validated in 2025. The document, in line with the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan and ANVUR guidelines, serves as the reference point for the planning, implementation and monitoring of degree programmes.

Balancing study with work and caregiving: results of the 2025/26 academic year calls
The results of the calls for applications for recognition of the status of working students and student carers have been announced. For the first call, 2,542 applications were received, of which 2,190 were deemed eligible; this figure represents an increase on the previous year. The support measures already in place remain active, such as online meetings with lecturers, flexible exam dates and dedicated tutoring services. Regarding the call for applications published by ER.GO specifically for student carers, 55 applications were submitted; 20 of the 33 eligible applications came from the University of Bologna. Measures to balance study and caregiving responsibilities are in place: these include flexible exam dates, tutoring and exemption from university fees for those with an ISEE of up to €35,000.

Conclusion of the PNRR and organisation of the General Administration
With the conclusion of the PNRR, there is no longer a need for a specific unit within the Executive Support Services (SSRD), and the follow-up activities and administrative and accounting management of the projects have been assigned to the relevant Divisions. The Research Division will strengthen its support for Departments and continue to oversee ongoing strategic projects, while the Internal Audit Unit and the Finance and Accounting Division will retain responsibility for auditing and accounting management activities. Staff currently working within the SSRD’s PNRR unit will therefore be assigned to the relevant divisions, to make the most of the experience gained and the skills acquired.

APPOINTMENTS

Fondazione “Roberto Ruffilli” e Fondazione Re-Soil: nomina rappresentanti CDA
“Roberto Ruffilli" Foundation and Re-Soil Foundation: appointment of Board representatives Professor Arrigo Pallotti will represent the University on the Board of Governors of the “Roberto Ruffilli” ETS Foundation. Professor Claudio Marzadori will succeed Professor Claudio Ciavatta on the Board of Governors of the Foundation for the Protection and Enhancement of Land and Soil – Re Soil Foundation, for the remainder of the 2024–2026 period.

TEACHING

Amendments to the University Teaching Regulations
The proposed amendment, concerning agreements for the award of double and multiple degrees, provides for greater flexibility in the methods and duration of international mobility. It introduces the possibility of considering alternative forms of mobility, including virtual mobility, and of waiving the minimum duration requirement of one semester, provided that the learning outcomes are achieved, and the sustainability of the course is ensured.

Teaching Delivery Modes
The proposal to reclassify teaching activities in line with the recent ANVUR guidelines has been approved. The Unified Text on Teaching Design and Planning has been updated with definitions of lecture-based teaching (delivered face-to-face or synchronously online) and interactive teaching (tutorials, seminars and workshops involving active student participation) while asynchronous online activities, such as the use of recorded lectures, are reserved for self-learning.

Amendments to the Degree Programme Regulations and credit recognition for the open semester
Amendments to the degree programme regulations for the 2026/27 academic year have been approved, made necessary by the alignment with the new Academic Disciplines (SSD) and the corresponding ministerial Academic Disciplines Groups (GSD). The principles for recognition, within related courses, of credits acquired during the open semester required for Combined Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine have also been defined.

New double degree agreements
Two international agreements for the award of double degrees have been formalised: the first with HES-SO – University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, in the field of Industrial Chemistry; the second with the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires, in the field of Management Engineering.

RESEARCH AND THIRD MISSION

Membership of the National Network for Research Ethics
Membership of the National Network for Research Ethics has been approved, which will facilitate coordination and the exchange of best practices between university Ethics Committees and research bodies on issues of research integrity, ethics and safety. The initiative involves collaboration, training and the development of shared Guidelines. The University of Bologna’s representative within the Network will be the Chair of the University Bioethics Committee.

Agreement with the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change (CMCC)
The approved agreement, which will run for seven years, aims to consolidate collaboration in research activities, teaching activities and training activities on climate and climate change issues. The partnership involves the development of joint research projects, the co-funding of PhD programmes and learning activities, the creation of shared laboratories and the consolidation of the research group.

Guidelines for joint research with IRCCS IOR and ISNB
Guidelines will be adopted to strengthen collaboration with the IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute and the Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna. The aim is to coordinate joint participation in research projects, particularly competitive projects and non-profit clinical trials, enhancing the value of university staff and promoting integration between research, teaching and clinical activities.

University Guidelines for Research Safety
The University Guidelines for Research Safety have been approved, including Recommendations for activities involving potentially dual-use technologies and those for defence-related research. The documents provide guidance on identifying and managing risks associated with the transfer of sensitive technologies, evaluating international projects and collaborations, and ensuring compliance with European dual-use regulations and requirements for defence research.

Framework Agreement between the universities of Emilia-Romagna
An Institutional Framework Agreement between the universities of the Emilia-Romagna Region has been approved, consolidating the collaborations already underway in the ECOSISTER and Great-ER projects and the TechForward programme. The agreement provides for activities supporting entrepreneurship, the commercialisation of research results and intellectual property, incubation and acceleration programmes, Open Innovation initiatives, and joint participation in competitive calls for proposals in the areas of entrepreneurship, technology transfer and Open innovation. The aim is to strengthen the regional ecosystem of education, research and innovation.

STUDENT SERVICES

Special support for eligible students who have not been awarded regional study grants for the 2025/26 academic year
The Rector's Emergency Decree has been ratified, allocating €2.5 million to support students who have not received a grant due to insufficient regional funds. The University has asked ER.GO to distribute its contribution among all eligible students who did not receive a scholarship, ensuring that no one is left out.

Amendments to the Regulations Establishing the Register of Student Associations and Cooperatives recognised by the University of Bologna
The amendments simplify the accreditation procedures, stipulating that the sole requirement for members is enrolment on a degree programme – even if they are late completion students – and removing the obligation to collect original signatures and copies of identity documents. A new online procedure for managing enrolments will be developed, to be operational from September 2027. Until that date, the deadlines for renewing enrolment on the Register are suspended.

INTERNATIONALISATION

Agreements with non-EU universities
Favourable opinion on the conclusion of the framework cooperation agreement with the University of Western Australia to allow student and staff mobility, participation in European programmes, and the creation of double or joint degree study programmes.

Incentives for collaborations with Korea, Japan and North America
The University has confirmed the internationalisation initiative dedicated to mobility with universities in the United States, Canada and Japan for 2026 as well, extending it to partner universities in South Korea. The new call for applications will fund outgoing mobility for PhD students, research fellows, and researchers, as well as incoming and outgoing mobility of teachers acting as visiting professors for research activities and teaching activities in PhD programmes.

BUDGET, PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT

Guidelines for the acquisition of bibliographic material by the Library System
Guidelines for the acquisition of library materials have been approved, with the aim of standardising and streamlining the management of resources within the University Library System (SBA). The document defines the roles and competencies of the various decision-making levels, introduces shared criteria for the selection of new materials, and promotes the adoption of advanced procurement models. Furthermore, acquisition and cost management procedures are defined for each type of bibliographic resource, whether traditional or digital. Finally, the Guidelines set out monitoring and reporting mechanisms to verify that the bibliographic collection meets users’ needs.

STAFF AND ORGANIZATION

Amendments to the Regulations governing research contracts, post-doc fellowships and research fellowships
The Board of Governors has approved a number of amendments to the Regulations governing research contracts, post-doc fellowships and research fellowships Among these, particular note should be made of the introduction of a maximum number of hours per academic year for teaching activities, subject to the assignment of teaching, tutoring, or language training duties on a paid basis and the authorisation of the Department Director. Furthermore, with regard to the regulation of research fellowships, it is envisaged that the evaluation criteria will be defined in advance in the resolution of the Department responsible for appointing the research fellowship.

Collaboration agreement with AA.S.Vo. ODV for a pilot training-volunteering project
A collaboration agreement has been approved with A.S.Vo. ODV – the Association for the Development of Volunteering ODV – to develop the transferable skills and soft skills of the University’s professional staff through training-volunteering. The 12-month initiative combines classroom-based learning activities with practical experience at third sector organisations. The project will initially involve four units in Bologna (two divisions and two departments), with a view to testing the organisational model before a possible extension to the entire University.

Draft Supplementary Agreement on the supplementary remuneration of foreign language instructors and experts – CEL
The University has signed, with CISL FSUR and ANIEF, the Draft Supplementary Agreement regarding the supplementary remuneration of foreign language instructors – CEL (CCIL CEL). The agreement confirms the 2017 framework, which recognises supplementary remuneration based on seniority and productivity, and incorporates the changes introduced by the National Collective Labour Agreement of 18 March 2025, which provides for an increase in the gross annual basic salary of CELs – effective from 31 December 2021 and applicable from 1 January 2022 – amounting to €87.71 per month for thirteen months. This increase absorbs, up to its full amount, the University’s supplementary allowance in force on the same date. The annual resources allocated to the CEL supplementary allowance amount to €736,292.

Three-year agreement with Trenitalia S.p.A. and Trenitalia Tper for the purchase of annual regional travel passes
A new agreement has been approved with Trenitalia S.P.A. and Trenitalia Tper, valid for three years and renewable for a further three years, for the purchase of annual regional travel passes for professors, researchers and professional staff. The University will co-fund the cost of the travel passes up to €410,000 per year: professional staff will contribute a fixed amount of €70, whilst professors and researchers are expected to contribute 50% of the cost of the travel pass, up to €258.

 
All resolutions are available on  Organi web and Intranet