The University of Trento opened yesterday the academic year 2018-2019.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place at Palazzo Paolo Prodi, started traditionally with the entry of the academic procession, the University choir singing Gaudeamus igitur, and continued with the speeches of University representatives and invited speakers. There were many new faces: the newly-appointed president of the University’s Board of Directors, Daniele Finocchiaro, gave his first speech in this new role, and the new members of the provincial executive Mirko Bisesti (University) and Achille Spinelli (research), were in attendance with the new president of the Provincial Council Maurizio Fugatti. Stefania Segnana, who is also among the new members of the local government, attended the ceremony.
Roberto Casati, philosopher and professor at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Paris, gave the inauguration lecture: “On disorientation: the science and philosophy of getting lost and finding your way”. In his address, he explained how the human mind finds its bearing and what are the causes of disorientation, the difference between getting lost and being disoriented, the role of observation and exploration, and the subtle interactions between technology and our cognitive abilities.
Among the guest speakers was Paolo Miccoli, president of ANVUR’s Steering Committee, who commented the very positive assessment recently received by the University. A “highly prestigious achievement, the first ‘A’ awarded by Anvur” for the periodic accreditation of universities and degree programmes.
Miccoli, in particular, underlined the University’s contribution to civil development, which is also mentioned in Anvur’s report: “In the third mission area, Trento has defined an original strategy including five objectives pursued through many actions across a range of sectors at the local level. I believe that the representatives of public institutions and organizations that are here today can be proud of their University”.
“The results achieved by the University of Trento in the periodic accreditation visit that took place in April demonstrate its excellence. I congratulate the Rector and all teaching and non-teaching staff and the students of the University who are part of this success. As you know, the quality of teaching and research activities and the impact that they have on culture and society in a local context are measured on an ongoing basis. I wish the University a bright future ahead, and to continue to be a source of inspiration for the entire Italian university system”, he concluded.
Rectors and representatives from other universities attended the ceremony: Paolo Lugli, Rector of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Nicola Sartor, Rector of the University of Verona, Pietro Romano, Rector of the University of Udine, Michele Bugliesi, Rector of Ca' Foscari University of Venezia, Stefania Baroncelli, Prorector of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Luca Pietromarchi, Rector of Roma Tre University, Georg Kaser, Dean of the Fakultät für Geo- und Atmosphärenwissenschaften at Universitaet Inssbruck, Renato Masiani, Deputy Rector at Sapienza University in Rome.