University Highlights: Key Resolutions - May 2026

NOTICES
 

Report of the Student Ombudsperson – 2025
The 2025 Report of the Student Ombudsperson, presented to the Student Council and the Academic Senate, highlights key issues including the quality of university life, psychological support, listening and responding to the needs of the student community. The report provides an overview of the reports and requests received, including statistical data and proposals for regulatory and administrative improvements, confirming the Ombudsperson’s role as a point of reference for safeguarding students’ rights and continuously improving University services.

“Avrò cura di me” (“I will take care of myself”): 2025 report
The University continues its commitment to workplace wellbeing and quality of university life through the psychological support service “Avrò cura di me”, aimed at academic, research and professional services staff. Active since 2022 and now managed by the Wellbeing, Health and Safety Area (ABESS), the service recorded a significant increase in requests in 2025, with 240 cases handled, including 143 individual support pathways and 82 monitoring consultations. The strengthening of activities dedicated to listening, support and addressing situations of vulnerability confirms the University’s growing attention to the psychological and relational wellbeing of its community. From September 2026, a new section entitled “Avremo cura di noi” (“We will take care of each other”) will also be launched, aimed at improving interpersonal dynamics in workplace settings.

APPOINTMENTS

Evaluation Committee for Faculty Salary Progression – First Session 2026
The appointment of the evaluation committee for the attribution of salary classes to teaching and research staff has been approved, pursuant to Law 240/2010 and University Regulations. The Committee will be composed of Professor Michele Belletti (Department of Sociology and Business Law), Professor Giuliano Bettini (Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences) and Professor Francesca Gatta (Department of Interpreting and Translation).

Appointment of member of the University Research Evaluation Committee (VRA)
Professor Giorgio Olmi has been appointed member of the Research Evaluation Committee for Area 9 - Industrial and Information Engineering, for the remainder of the 2023–2026 term of office.

TEACHING

SPISA School of Specialisation: activation for the 2026/27 academic year 2026/27
The School of Specialisation in Public Administration Studies (SPISA) will also run in the 2026/27 academic year. The programme will offer 50 places, with teaching activities scheduled from October 2026 to June 2027. The teaching regulations and the provision of scholarships have also been confirmed.

Guidelines for the establishment of professional masters programmes 
A favourable opinion has been issued on the update of the operational guidelines for the establishment of professional master’s programmes, revised in line with the new University Regulations on professional master’s programmes and other professionalising courses. The updates introduce changes to the management of programme directors, the definition of teaching plans, budget preparation and adjustment, eligible expenditure and financial reporting.

Journalism professional master’s programme: activation for the 2026–2028 two-year period
The sixth edition of the first-cycle professional master’s programme in Journalism has been approved for the 2026/27–2027/28 academic biennium, in collaboration with the National Council of the Order of Journalists. The programme is worth 120 ECTS credits and includes the professional traineeship required to sit the State examination.

Joint agreements for the establishment and operation of PhD programmes - 42nd cycle 
The University has approved new agreements for the joint establishment of 42nd-cycle PhD programmes, developed in collaboration with universities and highly qualified research institutions, further strengthening the international and interdisciplinary dimension of the University’s academic offering. The agreements concern the following programmes: Automotive Engineering for Intelligent Mobility, Law, Science and Technology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Innovative Technologies and Sustainable Use of Mediterranean Sea, Fishery and Biological Resources – FISHMED, Physics, Astrophysics, Political and Social Sciences. 

Changes to fees for State examinations qualifying for professional practice
Changes to the admission fee for State examinations qualifying for professional practice have been approved from 2026 onwards, restoring the fee to €400, in line with the pre-COVID amount. The revision reflects the return to standard examination arrangements and the resulting increase in organisational costs. All other applicable fees will remain unchanged.

RESEARCH AND THIRD MISSION

Updated Guidelines on scientific responsibility in institutional research projects
The University has approved an update to the Guidelines governing the preliminary assessment for participation as principal investigator in competitive projects by University researchers. The update extends the possibility of acting as principal investigator in institutional research projects to holders of research contracts and postdoctoral positions, under the same conditions already applying to fixed-term researchers, subject to verification of specific requirements. However, except in specific cases expressly provided for in funding calls, holders of research appointments will not be eligible to take on this role. 

Tharros archaeological site: agreement with the Municipality of Cabras to support its preservation
To safeguard the archaeological area of Tharros (Oristano), which is affected by erosion and ground instability, the University bodies have approved a collaboration agreement between the University of Bologna and the Municipality of Cabras. Bringing together archaeology and engineering, the project will involve analysis, monitoring and the identification of measures to ensure the site’s safety and enhancement.

CTE COBO 2.0: continuation of the “Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti” project
A favourable opinion has been issued on the continuation of the “Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti Comune di Bologna – COBO” project, promoted by the Municipality of Bologna and the Metropolitan City of Bologna through a framework agreement and memorandum of understanding. CTE COBO 2.0 will act as an innovation accelerator and experimentation facilitator, contributing to the development of the local ecosystem and strengthening collaboration between research, businesses and public administration. The initiative will also support the attraction of resources and encourage public engagement in technology adoption processes.

Framework Agreement with Tetra Pak Packaging Solutions S.p.A.
Following a decade of collaboration between Tetra Pak Packaging Solutions S.p.A. and the University in the field of industrial innovation, a five-year renewable Framework Agreement has been approved. The agreement will regulate collaboration across a number of areas, including research and innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, internationalisation, development cooperation, sustainability and social innovation.

Partnership agreement for the “Arab Mediterranean Campus” project
The Rector’s Decree authorising the signing of the Partnership Agreement for the “Arab Mediterranean Campus (CAM)” project has been ratified. The project, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research under the “Legacy Expo 2020 Dubai” programme, is an initiative of significant international relevance. The project, which brings together several Italian universities, aims to establish the first Arab Mediterranean university campus, with teaching activities and socio-cultural initiatives across the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), helping to build stronger connections with Africa and Asia.

STUDENT SERVICES

Peer tutoring: new regulations, allocation of the 2025 Youth Fund and hourly grant amount 
A favourable opinion has been issued on the new Regulations governing "peer tutoring activities" (the new term adopted by the University), which provide more detailed rules on roles, selection procedures and the management of activities carried out by students holding tutoring grants. The allocation of the 2025 Youth Fund, amounting to over €621,000 and intended to finance tutoring grants, has also been approved. Funding will be distributed among Academic support unit (Filiere didattiche) in proportion to student enrolment figures for the current academic year. As in previous years, 20% of available resources will be ring-fenced for each of the following areas: welcoming international students; supporting students facing difficulties in their studies; and supporting students who work or have caring responsibilities while studying. The hourly rate for tutoring grants has also been confirmed at €11. Finally, the Regulations are complemented by operational guidelines available to Departments and Degree Programmes.

Specialisation Course for Support Teaching: Tuition Fees for the 11th Cycle, Academic Year 2025/26 
The fees for the specialisation course for educational support activities for students with disabilities have been approved. Following a proposal by the Department of Education Studies, an all-inclusive maximum fee of €2,842.96 has been established. Reduced fees will apply to students enrolled in previous years who suspended attendance (€2,324.96 for those who had not paid the contribution and €592.96 for those who had already paid the required amount). A full exemption will apply to students holding a civil disability certification (66% or higher) and to those who, in previous editions of the programme, completed the 36 ECTS credits related to disciplinary courses but were unable to attend laboratory or traineeship activities due to serious and justified reasons.

Option to exclude grades from first-semester examinations from GPA calculation
A favourable opinion has been issued on the proposal to allow students enrolling in the  2025/26 academic year in Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics, and related degree programmes, to request that the grades obtained in one or more examinations taken during the first-semester admission pathway not be included in the calculation of their overall academic average. The measure is intended to avoid possible disadvantages arising from different examination arrangements and will be available upon request following the publication of a dedicated notice on the University website.

PhD Candidate Satisfaction Survey
The organisational arrangements for the questionnaire designed to gather PhD candidates’ feedback on research training, services and opportunities have been approved. The questionnaire structure has also been updated by members of the Quality Assurance Board (PQA) – PhD Working Group (PQA-PHD), in collaboration with doctoral student representatives on the Student Council, with the aim of improving clarity and completeness.

INTERNATIONALISATION

Support for asylum seekers, refugees and displaced students
As part of the long-standing “Unibo for Refugees” project, a series of measures has also been approved for the  2026/27 academic year to facilitate access, integration and the study experience of asylum seekers, refugees and displaced students. Key measures include simplified admission procedures and qualification recognition, exemption from fees for enrolment in individual learning activities, 12 ER.GO scholarships including dining services, and 10 study awards worth €2,500 each.

International agreements for double, multiple and joint degrees: renewal of agreements for the 2026/27 academic year 
A favourable opinion has been expressed on the renewal of international agreements for the award of double, multiple and joint degrees within the University’s academic offering for the 2026/27 academic year. The partnerships involve: Université de Liège, Sorbonne Université (Paris), Université de Haute-Alsace (Mulhouse), Högskolan Dalarna University, Université Bourgogne Europe (Dijon), and the Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme partnership Women’s and Gender Studies – GEMMA (with the Universities of Granada, Lodz, Oviedo, Utrecht and Central European University). The agreements concern first- and second-cycle degree programmes in the fields of engineering, humanities, philosophy and history, anthropology, as well as cultural and gender studies.

University of Bologna joins the Network 100+ 
The University of Bologna’s participation in Network 100+ has been approved. The international network, established within the framework of the European project European Hydrogen Academy (HyAcademyEu), is dedicated to promoting and developing innovative teaching approaches in hydrogen technologies. The initiative includes activities for the exchange of best practices, teaching materials and educational experiences.

BUDGET, PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT  

Regulations on the reproduction of the University of Bologna’s cultural heritage and the use of related images
The adoption of the Regulations governing the reproduction of the University’s cultural heritage and the use of related images has been approved. The Regulations harmonise procedures across the University’s different structures and ensure clear and consistent rules. The Regulations define request procedures, authorisation criteria and a common fee schedule, distinguishing between uses for study, research and cultural enhancement purposes (free of charge or subject only to reimbursement of costs incurred by the University) and commercial uses, for which a fee is charged. The aim is to promote access to cultural heritage while safeguarding the University’s image and prestige.

STAFF AND ORGANIZATION  

Incentives for staff involved in activities related to the filter semester, 2025/26 
The allocation of ministerial funding amounting to over €243,000 has been approved to supplement the University Incentive Fund, to be allocated to academic and professional staff involved in activities related to the filter semester for admission to degree programmes in the medical field. The resources will be distributed proportionally and according to the actual contribution provided in extraordinary organisational, teaching and administrative support activities.

ASSETS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Collaboration agreement with Consortium GARR
 A favourable opinion has been expressed on the signing of a collaboration agreement with Consortium GARR (Gestione Ampliamento Rete Ricerca), the country’s leading digital infrastructure for universities, research institutions and cultural organisations, for the provision of University spaces aimed at enhancing connectivity and digital services for research.

INSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Bioethics Committee renamed and regulations updated
The Committee will be renamed the Research Ethics Committee, reflecting its role in research ethics and integrity. The approved changes also concern the Committee’s regulations. The changes also concern the expansion of the Committee’s composition, which will include between a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 21 members appointed by the Academic Senate. Lastly, the areas excluded from its remit, already assigned to other competent bodies, have been clarified.

OTHER BUSINESS 

Student motions
The Academic Senate discussed three motions submitted by student representatives concerning: the promotion of a more environmentally sustainable university catering system through a gradual transition of university canteens towards an entirely plant-based offer; the inclusion and recognition of gender identities through measures including the promotion, strengthening and simplification of the alias career service, the introduction of more inclusive services and spaces, and training on gender identity and inclusive language for academic and professional staff; and the protection of academic freedom and freedom of expression, with particular reference to the possible effects of the draft law “Provisions to combat antisemitism and adopt the operational definition of antisemitism” (Romeo Bill), currently under examination by the Chamber of Deputies.

All resolutions are available on Organi web and Intranet