The University of Bologna was probably the first University in the western world. The institution that we today call the University began to take shape in Bologna at the end of the eleventh century, when masters of Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic began to devote themselves to the law. In the nineteenth century a committee of historians, led by the famous Italian poet Giosuè Carducci, attributed the birth of the University to the year 1088.
In the 14th Century, so-called "artists" - scholars of Medicine, Philosophy, Arithmetic, Astronomy, Logic, Rhetoric, and Grammar - began to collaborate with the school of jurists. In 1364, the teaching of Theology was instituted. In the 15th Century Greek and Hebrew studies were instituted, and in the 16th Century those of "natural magic", that is, experimental science. In the 16th century the first studies of plastic surgery were performed in Bologna. But the golden era of Bolognese Medicine flourished in the 17th Century, when the microscope was employed for anatomical research. The University's fame had spread throughout Europe and it was a destination for many illustrious guests. In 1888 the eighth centennial of the University was celebrated, with a grand ceremony where all the universities of the world convened in Bologna to honour the mother of universities, representing their common roots and ideals of progress and tolerance. The ceremony became an international festival of studies.
The Magna Charta: On 18 September 1988 in Bologna's main square (Piazza Maggiore), the Rectors of 430 universities signed the Magna Charta Universitatum Europaeum. The Magna Charta, which has since been signed by another 400 Rectors, affirmed the autonomy of the University, the essential link between teaching and research activities which transcend the limits imposed by "any geographical or political border". The signing took place as part of the ninth centennial of the University of Bologna, which was formally recognised as the Alma Mater of all universities.
The new campuses: Since 1989 until now, the Alma Mater has carried out the largest decentralisation programme in the history of Italian universities, establishing new University Campus branches in four towns in Romagna - Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini. In 1998 the University also inaugurated a branch in Buenos Aires. Reform of the European Univeristy System reform On 19 June 1999 in the Aula Magna of the University of Bologna, 29 European Ministers of Higher Education signed the so-called Declaration of Bologna, which defines the "most relevant objectives for the creation of a European Area of higher education" and the promotion of this system in the world. To meet these objectives European Union members must restructure their university systems by 2010, following the guidelines known as the Bologna Process.
Courses and enrolments: More than 100.000 students are enrolled at the University of Bologna, making our University one of the largest in Italy. Between Bologna, Forlì, Cesena, Rimini, Ravenna, Cesenatico, Faenza, Coviolo, Ozzano, and Imola there are over half a million square metres of floorspace for teaching and extra-curricular activities. The 23 Faculties offer 143 first cycle degree courses, 98 specialised degree courses, and 9 European specialisation courses. The number of University Master's degrees grows each year: there are 90 currently active involving 700 instructors in high-level academic activities and contact with the professional world. Attention to career opportunities for future graduates has led the University to stipulate over 3500 agreements with businesses and public organisations thanks to which some 13000 students carry out a period of training in the working world each year.
International Mobility: According to a recent report by the National Committee for the Evaluation of the University System, the University of Bologna is today the most internationalised of all Italian universities. The number of foreign students regularly enrolled is 3.600, while another 1.500 arrive every year on international mobility programmes such as Erasmus and Overseas. The number of students of the University of Bologna who go abroad on exchange programmes or on study grants is more than 2.300.
Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Italy
Web: http://www.unibo.it
Official Erasmus Mundus - Al Idrisi II contact person: Valentina Manzanato
Contact email and phone number: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +39 051 2098041
Further information:
Comment: If you would like to read this information for the first edition of Erasmus Mundus - Al Idrisi, please click on the following link: Al Idrisi I: Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Italy
