The graduation ceremony for 491 young graduates took place today in Piazza Fiera. Rector Flavio Deflorian urged them to play their part in today's challenges, from the climate crisis to the struggle against inequalities, while Marianella Sclavi, former student and freshman number 2 of the Faculty of Sociology in 1962, told them not to be afraid of making mistakes and to make diversity a resource
Smiling and relaxed faces, light-hearted atmosphere, a square in the sunlight filled with a colourful crowd. After so much study, hard work and days spent studying, graduation day has finally arrived and today, in Piazza Fiera, 491 bachelor's students of the University of Trento earned their degree. The 14th public graduation ceremony (the first was held in November 2015) has now become a tradition, a sort of ritual for the participants. Dressed in their robes, the directors of the 15 departments and centres of the University, the vice-rectors and the rector composing the academic procession marched to Piazza Fiera, where the Polyphonic Choir and Orchestra of the University were performing the national anthem in front of the graduating students, their families and friends, the city community, that has always had a strong bond with the University.
Rector Flavio Deflorian congratulated the graduates and urged them to look ahead, to their future. "I invite you to think of this day as a moment of transition and not as a point of arrival. Some of you will continue your studies, perhaps in Trento, others will choose to take up a profession. In all cases, my wish, our wish, is that everything you want, for which you have worked hard in recent years, comes your way. And I hope you stay in touch with the University of Trento forever, wherever your road will take you."
In his speech, the rector said that thinking about the profound changes of the last sixty years, two words came to mind: change and continuity.
"Let's start with the word 'change'. The young women in this square are about 40 more than their male peers – the rector highlighted – and these numbers have been constant for many years now. Today in Italy, 60 out of 100 graduates are women. At the beginning of the 1960s, women accounted for 32% of graduates. Then something changed. Important social and cultural changes have occurred and in about thirty years the number of female graduates has first equalled and then surpassed the number of male graduates."
The University itself has changed, has evolved with time, and Trentino has transformed too in the last sixty years. "This poor province with poor economic structures has become a modern region, at the top of the rankings that measure the quality of life, services, research and innovation, and its University has been the driver of this change," said Deflorian.
Change brings challenges, uncertainties and opportunities. And here is the second word that the rector has chosen for this day: 'continuity'.
"Over the centuries, universities have helped to create and disseminate advanced knowledge, acting as a driving force for social, cultural and economic development. Each generation of young people has faced unique and complex challenges, which define the spirit of an era. I am sure that you too – said the rector addressing the graduates – will do your part. Beyond this square there is a world that needs your creativity and intelligence to respond to the great challenges of today: climate change, energy transition, the fight against social and gender inequality, sustainable development. You will make a significant contribution to your time, with the enthusiasm and desire for change that is typical of young generations. And I hope you will continue to be guided by the values that we have taught you: freedom of thought, respect, responsibility, commitment".
This year's guest at the ceremony was Marianella Sclavi, a former student for the University of Trento, a sociologist and ethnographer, and an expert in creative conflict management. She was the second student enrolled as a freshman at the then Faculty of Sociology when it opened in 1962. She graduated in 1968 and was a protagonist of those years filled with student protests, strikes and demonstrations. Sclavi, who met the students yesterday during another event, remembered her past telling the reasons that led her to enrol in Sociology: "Those were times of change, the crisis of modernity. My generation was looking for something different and new. We were a bit strange but interesting people, unhappy with society. I chose Sociology because I had the expectation and desire to learn a discipline that would give me the skills to change the world." An activist and a strong supporter of the non-violent protest philosophy, she was the first in Italy to propose a "humorous methodology" in ethnography and in the experimental approach. Differences should not be a reason to take sides but a resource."
"What unites my generation to yours is the serendipity – said Sclavi – that is needed to change the world. The ability to accept the unexpected opens up undefined paths that allow you to learn new things and seize all the opportunities there are to be able to decide."
Her advice to the young graduates comes from her experience. "Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Turn mistakes into opportunities, turn diversity into a resource. In your studies, do not look for consensus but for innovation. Be curious and not judgemental. Let yourself be attracted by innovations."
Two generations met today in Piazza Fiera: that of those who like her graduated in 1968, and that of those who graduate today, fifty-five years later.
"Our generations are linked," said the scholar to the audience. "A crisis started with my generation and is about to end with your generation. Do not let your thoughts, your imagination and your life experiences be swept away. You are in an era and in a world where you can and must dare."
"I hope you can continue the work my generation started years ago, although I am not retiring or giving up now that I am 80 years old," Sclavi concluded.
The event was organized as usual by the University of Trento in collaboration with the Autonomous Province of Trento and the City of Trento.
Elisabetta Bozzarelli, deputy mayor of the Municipality of Trento, addressed the audience on the participation of the city community in University events. "I wish you to be able to make the most of your talent without losing sight of the general good. Do not settle for the first job you get, demand more for yourself and be aware of what you can do, remember your right to voice your opinions and to say no, to express and support your ideas, to have a role in the world professional organizations, in politics, in our society. I hope you will never accept war, the violations of international law, the brutality of a world order based on power relations."
"This is one of those moments that usually only happens once in a lifetime and represents the end of a path and at the same time a new beginning," Mirko Bisesti, provincial councillor for education, university and culture, said in his address. "When we talk about the value of university study, we refer to the job opportunities it opens up. This is proven by the statistics that year after year tell of those who find work in a short period of time and with satisfaction. But there's more. I refer to the words of President Mattarella on the occasion of the honorary degree in memory of Antonio Megalizzi. What moved Antonio was the desire to understand and to help other understand, his work to let everyone express their views. This is the essence of any type of study, regardless of the subject to which it applies. Knowledge is based on the desire to understand and leads to the development of your inner voice."
"If this desire is sincere - continued the councillor - your hard work will help you achieve your goals. The desire to understand must lead us to re-discuss our beliefs, to face the world, the social, economic and political dynamics with a critical spirit. It involves commitment and sacrifice and puts our generosity and humility at stake. This is how a society continues to be truly democratic and open. Trentino has made you and our University one of the pillars of quality of life rests, one of the highest in our country and among the best regions in Europe."
"Four years ago our excellent University,– Bisesti recalled – gave life to a programme that we consider strategic in the medical and health field, which goes hand in hand with consolidated educational initiatives. However, there are aspects to address: student housing, for example, and a strategy to stimulate the people that are trained here to stay here. Leaving can provide a formative experience, but Trentino needs your help. We must encourage communication between universities and the world of businesses and professionals to face global challenges. Let us face them together with courage and confidence."
Then, as per tradition, the University Choir and Orchestra performed the Ode to Joy while pictures were being taken of rector Flavio Deflorian, deputy rector Paola Iamiceli and the new graduates.
To ceremony ended with the Choir singing Gaudeamus Igitur, the university anthem, the proclamation by the rector and the tossing of the hats on the notes of Handel's Halleluja.
The participants
The graduation ceremony this time celebrated 491 students who obtained their bachelor's degree between April and September 2023 from the Food Agriculture Environment Center and in the departments of: Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology; Economics and Management; Physics; Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering; Information Engineering and Computer Science; Industrial Engineering; Humanities; Mathematics; Psychology and Cognitive Science; Sociology and Social Research; the Faculty of Law (CEILS - Comparative, European and International Legal Studies).
The academic procession was composed of representatives of the departments and centres of the University of Trento, the vice-rector and the deputy rector, Paola Iamiceli, in their gowns.
The Polyphonic Choir and Orchestra of UniTrento, directed by Marco Gozzi, made up by students, faculty and staff of the University of Trento.
A sign language interpreter was present during the event (provided by the Trento branch of the Italian Association of the Deaf-ENS).