History | USI

<!doctype html>     <html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr">  <head>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PNZRM8V');</script>   <script id="usercentrics-cmp" src=https://app.usercentrics.eu/browser-ui/latest/loader.js data-version="preview" data-settings-id="G5-BBnWY8Oy3Qi" async></script>  <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /> <meta name="description" content="With the inauguration of USI, in 1996, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland chose to play an active role towards the intellectual and socio-economic growth of the country, and not only – by leveraging at best its convenient cultural position between northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The failure of CUSI and the legacy of Stefano Franscini USI saw the light ten years" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history" /> <meta property="og:title" content="History" /> <meta property="og:description" content="With the inauguration of USI, in 1996, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland chose to play an active role towards the intellectual and socio-economic growth of the country, and not only – by leveraging at best its convenient cultural position between northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The failure of CUSI and the legacy of Stefano Franscini USI saw the light ten years after the failure of the project for a post-graduate continuing education institution in Ticino (CUSI, Centro universitario della Svizzera italiana), by the initiative of a number of concerned citizens and leading intellectuals determined to maintain the essential elements of statesman Stefano Franscini’s vision, a founding father of modern Ticino who as early as 1844 underlined the importance of higher education in Ticino. At the time, the Canton south of the Alps was poor, rural and with high levels of illiteracy, and Franscini saw in education, at not only basic but also advanced levels, a powerful means for emancipation. Over a century after the original ideas of Stefano Franscini, in the 1990s Ticino had become a wealthy region with an affluent services industry, but was also hit by a major economic crisis. In this context, the founders of USI saw in our university the opportunity for new development and empowerment of a region to be acknowledged for its role within the Federal state and in the world." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.usi.ch/sites/all/themes/usiclean/img/facebook-opengraph-image.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:url" content="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:url" content="https://www.usi.ch/sites/all/themes/usiclean/img/facebook-opengraph-image.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@usi_university" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="History" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="With the inauguration of USI, in 1996, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland chose to play an active role towards the intellectual and socio-economic growth of the country, and not only – by" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="it" href="https://www.usi.ch/it/universita/chi-siamo/storia" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history" /> <title>History | USI</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/css/css_YUve_4VTr70NI_HNc6gmaEaLhfFcwsRyFN9qtYPVPNQ.css" /> <link href='/sites/all/themes/usiclean/fonts/standard-light-webfont.woff2' rel="preload" as="font" crossorigin="anonymous"> <link href='/sites/all/themes/usiclean/fonts/standard-medium-webfont.woff2' rel="preload" as="font" crossorigin="anonymous"> <link href='/sites/all/themes/usiclean/fonts/standard-light-webfont.woff' rel="preload" as="font" crossorigin="anonymous"> <link href='/sites/all/themes/usiclean/fonts/standard-medium-webfont.woff' rel="preload" as="font" crossorigin="anonymous"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/sites/all/themes/usiclean/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/sites/all/themes/usiclean/favicons/favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/sites/all/themes/usiclean/favicons/favicon-16x16.png" sizes="16x16"> <link rel="manifest" href="/sites/all/themes/usiclean/favicons/manifest.json"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/usiclean/favicons/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#000000"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff"> </head> <body class="inverted_header0 no_100_filetti0 " >  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PNZRM8V" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>   <svg style="display:none;"><symbol id="address-book" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><style>.st0,.st1{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:2;stroke-miterlimit:10}.st1{stroke-width:1.8065}</style><path d="M43.6 50H6.4V0h37.2v50zM8.4 48h33.2V2H8.4v46z"/><path d="M13.5 49V1.8M17.4 8.7h21.4M17.4 13.4h21.4"/><path d="M19.3 41.9h16.8v-4.7l-5.2-2.9 1.1-3-.1-3.7-1.7-3.4h-3.7"/><path d="M36.1 41.9H19.3v-4.7l5.2-2.9-1.2-3 .2-3.7 1.7-3.4h3.6"/></symbol><symbol id="arrow-circle" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M26 36.92l12-11.95-12-12M37.5 24.97H12"/><circle cx="25" cy="25" r="24"/></symbol><symbol id="arrow-right" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M0 24h48v2H0z"/><path d="M24.4 50L23 48.6 47.2 25 23 1.4 24.4 0 50 25z"/></symbol><symbol id="calendar" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><style>.st0{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:2;stroke-miterlimit:10}</style><path d="M37 13V0M13 13V0M1 6h48v43H1zM1 16h48"/><path d="M11 25h4v4h-4zM23 25h4v4h-4zM35 25h4v4h-4zM11 37h4v4h-4zM23 37h4v4h-4zM35 37h4v4h-4z"/></symbol><symbol id="close" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M.09 1.395l1.418-1.41L49.835 48.53l-1.417 1.411z"/><path d="M-.017 48.485L48.535.165l1.411 1.418-48.553 48.32z"/></symbol><symbol id="download" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M12.97 24l11.95 12 12-12M24.92 35.5V0"/><path d="M48.95 13v36h-48V13"/></symbol><symbol id="drop-down" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M0 24.4L1.4 23 25 47.2 48.6 23l1.4 1.4L25 50z"/></symbol><symbol id="drop-left" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M25.6 0L27 1.4 2.8 25 27 48.6 25.6 50 0 25z"/></symbol><symbol id="drop-right" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M25 50l-1.4-1.4L47.2 25 23.6 1.4 25 0l25 25z"/></symbol><symbol id="external-link" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><style>.st0{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:2;stroke-miterlimit:10}</style><path d="M45 25v24H1V5h24M49 17V1H33M48.7 1.3L25 25"/></symbol><symbol id="facebook-square" viewBox="0 0 75 75"><path d="M0 0v75h75V0H0zm50 20.8h-4.6c-3.6 0-4.3 1.8-4.3 4.3v6.1h8L48 40.1h-6.9v22.3l-8.9.1V40.2H25v-8.9h7.2v-7c0-7.7 4.5-11.8 11.2-11.8 3.1 0 5.9.3 6.6.4v7.9z"/></symbol><symbol id="facebook" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M19.7 50V27.7h-7.2v-8.9h7.2v-7C19.7 4.1 24.2 0 30.9 0c3.1 0 5.9.3 6.6.4v7.9h-4.6c-3.6 0-4.3 1.8-4.3 4.3v6.1h8l-1.1 8.9h-6.9v22.3"/></symbol><symbol id="info" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><style>.st0{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:2;stroke-miterlimit:10}</style><path d="M25 39.7v-15"/><circle cx="25" cy="25" r="24"/><path d="M25 18v-5"/></symbol><symbol id="instagram-square" viewBox="0 0 75 75"><path d="M57.1 22.7a8.7 8.7 0 0 0-4.8-4.8c-3.4-1.3-11.1-1-14.8-1s-11.5-.3-14.8 1c-2.2.8-3.8 2.6-4.8 4.8-1.3 3.2-1 11.2-1 14.8s-.3 11.4.8 14.7a8.7 8.7 0 0 0 4.8 4.8c3.4 1.3 11.1 1 14.8 1s11.5.4 14.8-1a8.7 8.7 0 0 0 4.8-4.8c1.4-3.3 1.2-11.2 1.2-14.8 0-3.6.3-11.4-1-14.7zM37.4 50.3c-7.1 0-12.8-5.8-12.8-12.9 0-7.1 5.7-12.8 12.8-12.8 7.1 0 12.9 5.7 12.9 12.8 0 7.1-5.8 12.9-12.9 12.9zm13.4-23.2c-1.6 0-3-1.4-3-3s1.4-3 3-3 3 1.3 3 3c0 1.6-1.4 3-3 3z"/><ellipse transform="rotate(-67.5 37.4 37.5)" cx="37.4" cy="37.5" rx="8.4" ry="8.4"/><path d="M0 .1v75h75V.1H0zm62.2 47.8c-.2 4-1.1 7.5-4 10.4-2.8 2.9-6.4 3.8-10.4 4-4.1.3-16.5.3-20.6 0-4-.2-7.5-1.1-10.4-4-2.9-2.9-3.8-6.5-4-10.6-.3-4-.3-16.5 0-20.6.2-4 1.1-7.5 4-10.4 2.9-2.9 6.4-3.8 10.5-4 4.1-.2 16.5-.2 20.6 0 4 .2 7.5 1.1 10.4 4 2.9 2.8 3.8 6.4 4 10.4.3 4.1.3 16.6-.1 20.8z"/></symbol><symbol id="instagram" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M24.9 12.1c-7.1 0-12.8 5.7-12.8 12.8s5.7 12.9 12.8 12.9S37.8 32 37.8 24.9 32 12.1 24.9 12.1zm0 21.3c-4.6 0-8.4-3.8-8.4-8.4s3.8-8.4 8.4-8.4 8.4 3.8 8.4 8.4-3.8 8.4-8.4 8.4zm16.4-21.8c0 1.6-1.4 3-3 3s-3-1.4-3-3 1.4-3 3-3 3 1.3 3 3zm8.5 3c-.2-4-1.1-7.6-4-10.4-2.9-2.9-6.4-3.8-10.4-4C31.3 0 18.9 0 14.8.2c-4.1.2-7.6 1.1-10.5 4S.5 10.6.3 14.6C0 18.7 0 31.2.3 35.2c.2 4.1 1.1 7.7 4 10.6 2.9 2.9 6.4 3.8 10.4 4 4.1.3 16.5.3 20.6 0 4-.2 7.6-1.1 10.4-4 2.9-2.9 3.8-6.4 4-10.4.4-4.2.4-16.7.1-20.8zm-5.4 25.1a8.7 8.7 0 0 1-4.8 4.8c-3.3 1.4-11.1 1-14.8 1s-11.4.3-14.8-1a8.7 8.7 0 0 1-4.8-4.8c-1.1-3.3-.8-11.1-.8-14.7s-.3-11.6 1-14.8c1-2.2 2.6-4 4.8-4.8 3.3-1.3 11.1-1 14.8-1s11.4-.3 14.8 1c2.2.9 3.9 2.6 4.8 4.8 1.3 3.3 1 11.1 1 14.7s.2 11.5-1.2 14.8z"/></symbol><symbol id="linkedin-square" viewBox="0 0 75 75"><path d="M0-.1v75h75v-75H0zm23.7 62.6H13.3V29.1h10.4v33.4zm-5.2-37.9c-3.3 0-6-2.7-6-6.1s2.7-6 6-6 6 2.7 6 6-2.7 6.1-6 6.1zm33.6 37.9V46.2c0-3.9-.1-8.8-5.4-8.8-5.4 0-6.2 4.2-6.2 8.6v16.5H30.2V29.1h9.9v4.6h.1c1.4-2.6 4.8-5.4 9.8-5.4 10.5 0 12.4 6.9 12.4 15.9l.1 18.3H52.1z"/></symbol><symbol id="linkedin" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M11.2 50H.8V16.6h10.4V50zM6 12.1c-3.3 0-6-2.7-6-6.1s2.7-6 6-6 6 2.7 6 6-2.7 6.1-6 6.1zM50 50H39.6V33.7c0-3.9-.1-8.8-5.4-8.8-5.4 0-6.2 4.2-6.2 8.6V50H17.7V16.6h9.9v4.6h.1c1.4-2.6 4.8-5.4 9.8-5.4 10.5 0 12.4 6.9 12.4 15.9L50 50z"/></symbol><symbol id="map" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M25 23c-3.3 0-6-2.7-6-6s2.7-6 6-6 6 2.7 6 6-2.7 6-6 6zm0-9.8c-2.1 0-3.8 1.7-3.8 3.8s1.7 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8-1.7 3.8-3.8-1.7-3.8-3.8-3.8z"/><path d="M25 50l-.8-.9C23.6 48.3 8 29.8 8 17.6 8 7.9 15.6 0 25 0c9.3 0 16.9 7.9 17 17.6.1 12.2-15.6 30.7-16.2 31.5l-.8.9zm0-48c-8.3 0-15 7-15 15.6 0 10 11.9 25.3 15 29.3 3.2-3.9 15.1-19.3 15-29.3C39.9 9 33.2 2 25 2z"/></symbol><symbol id="print" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><style>.st0{fill:#fff}.st1{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:2;stroke-miterlimit:10}</style><path d="M48 15v21H2V15h46m2-2H0v25h50V13z"/><path d="M13.5 31h23v18h-23z"/><path d="M35.5 32v16h-21V32h21m2-2h-25v20h25V30z"/><path d="M16 36h18M16 40h18M16 44h18"/><ellipse cx="45.5" cy="18.5" rx="1.5" ry="1.5"/><g><path d="M35.5 2v11h-21V2h21m2-2h-25v15h25V0z"/></g></symbol><symbol id="quicklinks" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><style>.st0{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:2;stroke-miterlimit:10}</style><path d="M37.7 12.7L25 0 12.3 12.7l1.4 1.4L24 3.8v33.6h2V3.8l10.3 10.3z"/><path d="M49 13v36H.9V13"/></symbol><symbol id="sandwich-menu" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M50 25H0M50 14H0M50 36H0"/></symbol><symbol id="search" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><circle cx="19" cy="19" r="18"/><path d="M32 32l16.79 17"/></symbol><symbol id="settings" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M25 33.5c-4.7 0-8.5-3.8-8.5-8.5s3.8-8.5 8.5-8.5 8.5 3.8 8.5 8.5-3.9 8.5-8.5 8.5zm0-15c-3.6 0-6.5 2.9-6.5 6.5s2.9 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5-2.9 6.5-6.5c0-3.5-3-6.5-6.5-6.5z"/><path d="M30.9 50h-12l-.5-6.7c-.6-.2-1.3-.5-2-.8l-5.1 4.4L3 38.5l4.4-5.1c-.3-.7-.6-1.4-.8-2L0 31V19l6.7-.5c.2-.7.5-1.3.8-1.9l-4.4-5.1L11.5 3l5.1 4.4c.7-.3 1.3-.6 2-.8L19 0h12l.5 6.7c.6.2 1.3.5 2 .8l5.1-4.4 8.4 8.5-4.4 5.1c.3.6.5 1.2.8 1.9l6.6.4v12l-6.7.5c-.2.7-.5 1.3-.8 2l4.4 5.1-8.4 8.5-5.1-4.4c-.7.3-1.4.6-2 .8l-.5 6.5zm-10.1-2h8.3l.5-6.2.6-.2c1.3-.4 2.1-.8 2.9-1.2l.6-.3 4.7 4.1 5.8-5.8-4.1-4.7.3-.6c.5-1 .9-1.9 1.2-2.9l.2-.7 6.2-.4v-8.3l-6.2-.4-.2-.6c-.4-1.1-.7-2-1.2-2.9l-.3-.6 4.1-4.7-5.8-5.8-4.7 4.1-.6-.3c-1-.5-1.9-.9-2.9-1.2l-.7-.2-.4-6.2h-8.2l-.4 6.3-.6.2c-1.3.4-2.1.8-2.9 1.2l-.7.3-4.7-4.1-5.8 5.8 4.1 4.7-.3.6c-.5.8-.9 1.8-1.2 2.8l-.2.7-6.2.4v8.2l6.1.4.2.6c.4 1.3.8 2.1 1.2 2.9l.3.6-4.1 4.7 5.8 5.8 4.7-4.1.6.3c1 .5 1.9.9 2.9 1.2l.7.2.4 6.3z"/></symbol><symbol id="star" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M25 0l-6.6 18.8H0l15 11.5L8.3 50 25 37.7 41.7 50l-6.6-19.8L50 18.8H31.6L25 0z"/></symbol><symbol id="tools" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><style>.st0{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-width:2;stroke-miterlimit:10}</style><path d="M30 2v10H20V2h10m2-2H18v14h14V0zM30 38v10H20V38h10m2-2H18v14h14V36z"/><path d="M25 14v22"/><path d="M12 38v10H2V38h10m2-2H0v14h14V36z"/><path d="M7 24v12"/><path d="M48 38v10H38V38h10m2-2H36v14h14V36z"/><path d="M43 24v12M43.5 25h-37"/></symbol><symbol id="twitter-square" viewBox="0 0 75 75"><path d="M19.2 17.5l29.9 40h6.8L26 17.5z"/><path d="M0 0v75h75V0H0zm47.5 60.7L33.9 42.5 17 60.7h-4.3L32 39.9 12.8 14.3h14.8l12.5 16.8 15.5-16.8H60L42.1 33.7l20.2 27H47.5z"/></symbol><symbol id="twitter" viewBox="0 0 1070 1000"><path d="M2.59.041l413.1 551.6-415.7 448.4h93.6l364-392.6 294.1 392.6h318.4l-436.4-582.6 387-417.4h-93.6l-335.3 361.6L320.99.041H2.59zm137.6 68.8h146.3l645.9 862.3h-146.3l-645.9-862.3z"/></symbol><symbol id="usi" viewBox="0 0 200 200"><path d="M180 41.7h-51.1V31.1h42.2C153.1 12.5 127.8 1 99.9 1 45.2 1.1.9 45.4 1 100.1c0 26.8 10.7 51.1 28.1 68.9-1.4-2-2.4-4.1-3-6.1-1-3.5-1-5.9-1.1-15.8V100h14.8v48.5c0 3.4-.1 6.6 1 9.6 3 7.6 11.3 8.5 16 8.5 2.3 0 8.3-.1 12.6-3.9 4.4-3.9 4.4-8.4 4.4-15V100h14.9v49.7c-.1 8.9-.1 16.3-8.5 23.5-8 7-18.4 7.7-23.8 7.7-4.8 0-9.5-.6-14-2.1-1.8-.6-3.5-1.4-5-2.3 17.1 14 39 22.4 62.8 22.4 54.7-.1 99-44.4 98.9-99.1-.1-21.7-7.2-41.8-19.1-58.1zm-4.7 52.7l-6.3-9c2.1-1.4 8.7-5.7 8.7-17.7 0-2-.2-4.1-1-6.2-1.7-4.1-4.6-4.9-6.6-4.9-3.6 0-4.9 2.5-5.7 4.3-.5 1.3-.6 1.5-1.8 6.6l-1.5 6.9c-.9 3.6-1.3 5.4-2 7.2-1.1 2.6-4.5 9.6-14 9.6-10.9 0-17.8-9.2-17.8-22.6 0-12.3 6.1-19 11.6-23l6.6 8.8c-2.8 1.9-8.5 5.7-8.5 14.8 0 5.8 2.6 10.8 7 10.8 4.9 0 5.8-5.3 6.8-10.5l1.3-5.9c1.6-7.7 4.8-18.6 17-18.6 13.1 0 18.4 12.2 18.4 24.3 0 3.2-.3 6.7-1.3 10.2-1.1 3.9-3.9 10.6-10.9 14.9z"/></symbol><symbol id="vimeo-square" viewBox="0 0 75 75"><path d="M0 0v75h75V0H0zm62.5 25.8c-.2 4.9-3.6 11.6-10.2 20.2-6.8 8.9-12.6 13.4-17.3 13.4-2.9 0-5.4-2.8-7.4-8.2-3-9.8-4.9-23.1-8.8-23.1-.4 0-1.7.8-3.9 2.4l-2.4-3.1c4.9-4.3 11.1-10.8 14.7-11.1 3.9-.4 6.3 2.3 7.2 8.1.6 4.1 2.5 19.3 5.7 19.3 1 0 2.6-1.7 4.7-5s3.2-5.9 3.4-7.6c.3-2.8-.9-4.3-3.4-4.3-1.2 0-2.4.2-3.7.8 2.5-8.2 7.2-12.2 14.1-11.9 5.2.1 7.6 3.5 7.3 10.1z"/></symbol><symbol id="vimeo" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M42.7 3.2c-6.9-.3-11.6 3.7-14.1 11.9 1.3-.6 2.5-.8 3.7-.8 2.5 0 3.7 1.5 3.4 4.3-.2 1.7-1.3 4.3-3.4 7.6s-3.7 5-4.7 5c-3.2 0-5.1-15.2-5.7-19.3-.9-5.8-3.3-8.5-7.2-8.1-3.6.3-9.8 6.8-14.7 11.1L2.4 18c2.2-1.6 3.5-2.4 3.9-2.4 3.9 0 5.8 13.3 8.8 23.1 2 5.4 4.5 8.2 7.4 8.2 4.7 0 10.5-4.5 17.3-13.4 6.6-8.6 10-15.3 10.2-20.2.3-6.6-2.1-10-7.3-10.1z"/></symbol><symbol id="youtube-square" viewBox="0 0 75 75"><path d="M32.3 43.9L45.6 37l-13.3-6.9z"/><path d="M0 0v75h75V0H0zm62.6 39.3c0 4-.7 8-.7 8s-.7 3.4-2.1 4.8c-1.8 2-4 2-4.9 2.1-6.9.5-17.3.5-17.3.5s-12.9-.1-16.8-.6c-1.1-.2-3.6-.1-5.5-2.1-1.5-1.4-2.1-4.8-2.1-4.8s-.7-4-.7-7.9v-3.7c0-4 .7-8 .7-8s.7-3.4 2.1-4.8c1.8-2 4-2 4.9-2.1 6.9-.5 17.3-.5 17.3-.5s10.4 0 17.2.6c.9.1 3.1.1 5 2.1 1.5 1.4 2.1 4.8 2.1 4.8s.7 3.9.8 7.9v3.7z"/></symbol><symbol id="youtube" viewBox="0 0 50 50"><path d="M49.3 15.2s-.6-3.4-2.1-4.8c-1.9-2-4.1-2-5-2.1-6.8-.6-17.2-.6-17.2-.6s-10.4 0-17.3.5c-.9.1-3.1.1-4.9 2.1C1.4 11.7.7 15.1.7 15.1s-.7 4-.7 8v3.7c0 3.9.7 7.9.7 7.9s.6 3.4 2.1 4.8c1.9 2 4.4 1.9 5.5 2.1 3.9.5 16.8.6 16.8.6s10.4 0 17.3-.5c.9-.1 3.1-.1 4.9-2.1 1.4-1.4 2.1-4.8 2.1-4.8s.7-4 .7-8v-3.7c-.1-4-.8-7.9-.8-7.9zM19.8 31.4V17.6l13.3 6.9-13.3 6.9z"/></symbol></svg> <div class="header0"> <div class="logo_bar0"></div> <div class="header_content0"> <div class="row"> <div class="columns small-12 large-4"> <div class="row logo0"> <div class="columns small-10 large-6 large-push-6"> <div class="logo_text0"> <a href="/en"> <span class="usi_word0">Università</span> <span class="usi_word0">della</span> <span class="usi_word0">Svizzera</span> <span class="usi_word0">italiana</span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="columns small-2 large-6 large-pull-6"> <div class="logo_img0"> <a href="https://usi.ch/en"> <img src="https://www.usi.ch/sites/all/themes/usiclean/img/bollino-usi.svg" alt="Logo USI"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="columns large-offset-2 large-6"> <div class="row tools0"> <div class="columns small-4 large-push-4"> <div class="navigation_button--small0 top_line0--large hide-for-large trigger" data-target="navigation0"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-sandwich-menu " > <use xlink:href="#sandwich-menu"></use> </svg> </i> </div> <div class="top_line0--large show-for-large"> <span class="dd_label0">Tools <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i></span> <ul class="dd_ul0 no_style0"> <li> <a href="https://search.usi.ch/en">Directory</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.desk.usi.ch/en">Info Desk</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="columns small-4 large-push-4"> <div class="top_line0--large"> <span class="dd_label0">Info for <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i></span> <ul class="dd_ul0 no_style0"> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/327">Prospective students</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/4073">Students</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/574">Alumni</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/5581">Academic staff</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/713">Media</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/5594">Companies</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="columns small-4 large-pull-8"> <div class="top_line0--large"> <a href="/it/universita/chi-siamo/storia"><span class="dd_label0 tool_toggler0">Italiano</span></a> <ul class="dd_ul0 no_style0"> <li class=""> <a href="/it/universita/chi-siamo/storia">Italiano</a> </li> <li class="active"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/history">English</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="navigation0 panel0 panel_h0"> <div class="navigation_content0"> <div class="row"> <div class="column small-12"> <div class="row nav_header0 hide-for-large"> <div class="nav_back_small0 column small-10" data-parent_id=""> <span></span> </div> <div class="nav_hide0 column small-2"> <div class="trigger" data-target="navigation0"><i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-close " > <use xlink:href="#close"></use> </svg> </i></div> </div> </div> <div class="row nav_first_level0"> <div class="elements0"> <div class="column large-2"> <h3 class="bottom_line0 active0" data-element_id="702" data-level="0" data-label="University"> University <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i> </h3> <span class="bottom_bar0"></span> </div> <div class="column large-2"> <h3 class="bottom_line0 active0" data-element_id="699" data-level="0" data-label="Education"> Education <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i> </h3> <span class="bottom_bar0"></span> </div> <div class="column large-2"> <h3 class="bottom_line0 active0" data-element_id="703" data-level="0" data-label="Research"> Research <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i> </h3> <span class="bottom_bar0"></span> </div> <div class="column large-2"> <h3 class="bottom_line0 active0" data-element_id="2546" data-level="0" data-label="Innovation"> Innovation <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i> </h3> <span class="bottom_bar0"></span> </div> <div class="column large-2"> <h3 class="bottom_line0 active0" data-element_id="764" data-level="0" data-label="News & Events"> News & Events <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i> </h3> <span class="bottom_bar0"></span> </div> </div> <div class="column large-2"> <div class="search0"> <gcse:searchbox-only resultsUrl="/search-results" queryParameterName="as_q"></gcse:searchbox-only> <div class="icon0 icon_calendar0 v_cal_show"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-calendar " > <use xlink:href="#calendar"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row sub_navigation0"> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="702" data-level="1" data-label="University"> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=709 data-level="1" data-label="Who we are"> <span>Who we are</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=710 data-level="1" data-label="What we do"> <span>What we do</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Faculties and Institutes"> <a href="/en/university/faculties-and-institutes"> Faculties and Institutes </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=714 data-level="1" data-label="Organisation"> <span>Organisation</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Partnerships"> <a href="/en/university/partnerships"> Partnerships </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=712 data-level="1" data-label="Where to find us"> <a href="/en/university/where-to-find-us"> Where to find us </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1922 data-level="1" data-label="Practical information"> <a href="/en/university/info"> Practical information </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=738 data-level="1" data-label="Work with us"> <a href="/en/university/work-with-us"> Work with us </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Contact us"> <a href="/en/university/contact"> Contact us </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="709" data-level="2" data-label="Who we are"> <li data-level="2" data-label="At a glance"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/at-a-glance"> At a glance </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=713 data-level="2" data-label="Key figures"> <span>Key figures</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=722 data-level="2" data-label="History"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/history"> History </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Mission"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/mission"> Mission </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Dies academicus"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/dies-academicus"> Dies academicus </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=2734 data-level="2" data-label="Accolades"> <span>Accolades</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1042 data-level="2" data-label="Images and logotype"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/images-and-logo"> Images and logotype </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Publications"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/127"> Publications </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="713" data-level="3" data-label="Key figures"> <li data-level="3" data-label="Overview"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/facts-and-figures/overview"> Overview </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Rankings"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/facts-and-figures/rankings"> Rankings </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=718 data-level="3" data-label="Students"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/facts-and-figures/students"> Students </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=719 data-level="3" data-label="Graduates"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/facts-and-figures/graduates-diplomas"> Graduates </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Education"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/facts-and-figures/education"> Education </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Academic mobility"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/539"> Academic mobility </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Research"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/8526"> Research </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=742 data-level="3" data-label="Staff"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/facts-and-figures/staff"> Staff </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Finances"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/facts-and-figures/finances"> Finances </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="2734" data-level="3" data-label="Accolades"> <li data-level="3" data-label="Honorary Doctorate"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/accolades/honorary-doctorate"> Honorary Doctorate </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Honorary Member"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/accolades/honorary-member"> Honorary Member </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Medal"> <a href="/en/university/who-we-are/accolades/medal"> Medal </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="710" data-level="2" data-label="What we do"> <li data-level="2" data-label="Education"> <a href="/en/university/what-we-do/education"> Education </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Research"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/94"> Research </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Innovation"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/23892"> Innovation </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Cultural activities"> <a href="/en/university/what-we-do/cultural-activities"> Cultural activities </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="In the region"> <a href="/en/university/what-we-do/region"> In the region </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=2427 data-level="2" data-label="Sustainability"> <a href="/en/university/what-we-do/sustainability"> Sustainability </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Annual report"> <a href="/en/university/what-we-do/annual-report"> Annual report </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="714" data-level="2" data-label="Organisation"> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1125 data-level="2" data-label="Organisational structure"> <span>Organisational structure</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Administration and services"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/administration-and-services"> Administration and services </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Official documents"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/official-documents"> Official documents </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Libraries and archives"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/libraries-and-archives"> Libraries and archives </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Student Corporation"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/16808"> Student Corporation </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1125" data-level="3" data-label="Organisational structure"> <li data-level="3" data-label="Organisational chart"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/structure/organisational-chart"> Organisational chart </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="University Council"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/structure/university-council"> University Council </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Rectorate"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/structure/rectorate"> Rectorate </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Academic Senate"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/structure/academic-senate"> Academic Senate </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Faculties and Institutes structure"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/structure/structure-faculties-and-institutes"> Faculties and Institutes structure </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1129 data-level="3" data-label="Commissions"> <a href="/en/university/organisation/structure/commissions"> Commissions </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="699" data-level="1" data-label="Education"> <li data-level="1" data-label="Why USI"> <a href="/en/education/why-usi"> Why USI </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=762 data-level="1" data-label="Bachelor"> <span>Bachelor</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=763 data-level="1" data-label="Master"> <span>Master</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Doctoral studies"> <a href="/en/education/doctoral-studies"> Doctoral studies </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=2041 data-level="1" data-label="Lifelong learning"> <a href="/en/education/lifelong-learning"> Lifelong learning </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Welcome Bachelor and Master"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/18494"> Welcome Bachelor and Master </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="762" data-level="2" data-label="Bachelor"> <li data-level="2" data-label="Overview"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/bachelor-degrees-at-a-glance"> Overview </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=888 data-level="2" data-label="Programmes"> <span>Programmes</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Admission"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/admission"> Admission </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Application"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/application"> Application </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Tuition and scholarships"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/fees-and-grants"> Tuition and scholarships </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Practical information"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/organising-your-studies"> Practical information </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Open days and study advisory"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/open-days"> Open days and study advisory </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Contact us"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/contacts"> Contact us </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="888" data-level="3" data-label="Programmes"> <li data-level="3" data-label="Architecture"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/architecture"> Architecture </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Italian language, literature and culture"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/it/originalnode/334"> Italian language, literature and culture </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Theology"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/it/originalnode/31018"> Theology </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Philosophy"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/it/originalnode/31034"> Philosophy </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Communication"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/communication"> Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Economics"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/economics"> Economics </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Informatics"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/informatics"> Informatics </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Data Science"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/data-science"> Data Science </a> </li> <li data-level="3" data-label="Medicine"> <a href="/en/education/bachelor/medicine"> Medicine </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="763" data-level="2" data-label="Master"> <li data-level="2" data-label="Overview"> <a href="/en/education/master/masters-at-a-glance"> Overview </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1035 data-level="2" data-label="Programmes"> <span>Programmes</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Admission"> <a href="/en/education/master/admission"> Admission </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Application"> <a href="/en/education/master/application-master"> Application </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Tuition and scholarships"> <a href="/en/education/master/fees-and-grants"> Tuition and scholarships </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Practical information"> <a href="/en/education/master/organising-your-studies"> Practical information </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Open days and study advisory"> <a href="/en/education/master/open-days-study-advisory"> Open days and study advisory </a> </li> <li data-level="2" data-label="Contact us"> <a href="/en/education/master/contacts"> Contact us </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1035" data-level="3" data-label="Programmes"> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1031 data-level="3" data-label="Humanities"> <span>Humanities</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1034 data-level="3" data-label="Finance"> <span>Finance</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1033 data-level="3" data-label="Tourism"> <span>Tourism</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1032 data-level="3" data-label="Political economy"> <span>Political economy</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1040 data-level="3" data-label="Management and marketing"> <span>Management and marketing</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1036 data-level="3" data-label="Health studies"> <span>Health studies</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1037 data-level="3" data-label="Media and Communication"> <span>Media and Communication</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1039 data-level="3" data-label="Informatics"> <span>Informatics</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1038 data-level="3" data-label="Computational science"> <span>Computational science</span> <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-right " > <use xlink:href="#drop-right"></use> </svg> </i> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1031" data-level="4" data-label="Humanities"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Architecture"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/338"> Architecture </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Lingua, letteratura e civiltà italiana"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/it/originalnode/339"> Lingua, letteratura e civiltà italiana </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="History and Theory of Art and Architecture"> <a href="/en/education/master/history-and-theory-of-art-and-architecture"> History and Theory of Art and Architecture </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Philosophy"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/7710"> Philosophy </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Theology"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/it/originalnode/31036"> Theology </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Diritto canonico ed ecclesiastico comparato"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/it/originalnode/31037"> Diritto canonico ed ecclesiastico comparato </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Scienza, filosofia e teologia delle religioni"> <a href="/en/formazione/master/scienza-filosofia-teologia"> Scienza, filosofia e teologia delle religioni </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Interreligious Dialogue"> <a href="/en/education/master/interreligious-dialogue"> Interreligious Dialogue </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1034" data-level="4" data-label="Finance"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Finance"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/340"> Finance </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/342"> European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Financial Technology and Computing"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/358"> Financial Technology and Computing </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1033" data-level="4" data-label="Tourism"> <li data-level="4" data-label="International Tourism"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/343"> International Tourism </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1032" data-level="4" data-label="Political economy"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Economia e politiche internazionali"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/it/originalnode/344"> Economia e politiche internazionali </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Economics"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/345"> Economics </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Public Management and Policy (PMP)"> <a href="/en/education/master/public-management-and-policy"> Public Management and Policy (PMP) </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1040" data-level="4" data-label="Management and marketing"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Corporate Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/349"> Corporate Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Digital Fashion Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/8996"> Digital Fashion Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Management"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/347"> Management </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Management and Informatics"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/357"> Management and Informatics </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Marketing and Transformative Economy"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/348"> Marketing and Transformative Economy </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Public Management and Policy (PMP)"> <a href="/en/education/master/public-management-and-policy"> Public Management and Policy (PMP) </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1036" data-level="4" data-label="Health studies"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/351"> Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Communication, Management and Health"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/350"> Communication, Management and Health </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Medicine"> <a href="https://www.biomed.usi.ch/en/originalnode/11288"> Medicine </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1037" data-level="4" data-label="Media and Communication"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/351"> Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Communication, Management and Health"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/350"> Communication, Management and Health </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Corporate Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/349"> Corporate Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Digital Fashion Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/8996"> Digital Fashion Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/342"> European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Media Management"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/352"> Media Management </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1039" data-level="4" data-label="Informatics"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Informatics"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/353"> Informatics </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Artificial Intelligence"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/354"> Artificial Intelligence </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Software and Data Engineering"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/8014"> Software and Data Engineering </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Management and Informatics"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/357"> Management and Informatics </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Financial Technology and Computing"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/358"> Financial Technology and Computing </a> </li> <li data-level="4" data-label="Computational Science"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/355"> Computational Science </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="1038" data-level="4" data-label="Computational science"> <li data-level="4" data-label="Computational Science"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/355"> Computational Science </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="703" data-level="1" data-label="Research"> <li data-level="1" data-label="Overview"> <a href="/en/research/at-a-glance"> Overview </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Facts and figures"> <a href="/en/research/figures"> Facts and figures </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Institutes"> <a href="/en/research/institutes"> Institutes </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Areas and competences"> <a href="/en/research/areas-and-competences"> Areas and competences </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Projects and researchers"> <a href="/en/research/projects-and-researchers"> Projects and researchers </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Collaborations"> <a href="/en/research/partnerships"> Collaborations </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=750 data-level="1" data-label="Doing research"> <a href="/en/research/doing-research"> Doing research </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="2546" data-level="1" data-label="Innovation"> <li data-level="1" data-label="Overview"> <a href="/en/innovation/at-a-glance"> Overview </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Initiatives"> <a href="/en/innovation/initiatives"> Initiatives </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Innovate with us"> <a href="/en/innovation/innovate"> Innovate with us </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="sub_elements0 no_style0 column large-2" data-parent_id="764" data-level="1" data-label="News & Events"> <li data-level="1" data-label="News"> <a href="/en/news-events/news"> News </a> </li> <li class="has_sub_elements0" data-element_id=1962 data-level="1" data-label="Events"> <a href="/en/news-events/events"> Events </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Press releases"> <a href="/en/university/info/press/press-releases"> Press releases </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="Social media"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/718"> Social media </a> </li> <li data-level="1" data-label="For the media"> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/713"> For the media </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class='main0'> <div class="page_content"> <div class="row"> <div class="column small-12"> <div class="breadcrumb"> <a href="/en">Home</a> / <a href="/en/university">University</a> / <a href="/en/university/who-we-are">Who we are</a> / History </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="large-9 columns"> <section > <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h1> History </h1> </div> </div> <div class="section_item"> <div class="row"><div class="small-12 large-11 column slider_huge_width"></div></div> <div class="slider_huge dotted_inside"> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="Stabile principale, Lugano" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg?itok=BF2RoUco, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg?itok=BEKCpGon, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg?itok=RAaMibik, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg?itok=w5Zcb8Ai, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg?itok=u_ORsn6q, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg?itok=xHegPIhB, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-01.jpg" alt="Stabile principale, Lugano"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="Stabile Turconi, Mendrisio" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-02.jpg?itok=ba-tMnzQ, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-02.jpg?itok=Bqq-us-O, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-02.jpg?itok=VcTcjB2v, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-02.jpg?itok=XoNDRTvk, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-02.jpg?itok=axX-7U32, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-02.jpg?itok=Y3zEcQyQ, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-02.jpg" alt="Stabile Turconi, Mendrisio"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="Sala del Gran Consiglio, Bellinzona. Votazione sull'Università, 3 ottobre 1995" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-03.jpg?itok=kPdOfZnm, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-03.jpg?itok=jR2gFbxU, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-03.jpg?itok=a4kehQRh, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-03.jpg?itok=Y7MIyHWT, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-03.jpg?itok=pHKY6o4W, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-03.jpg?itok=GeXIUWJR, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-03.jpg" alt="Sala del Gran Consiglio, Bellinzona. Votazione sull'Università, 3 ottobre 1995"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="Scavi per l'Aula magna" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-04.jpg?itok=Ae_CTZ-m, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-04.jpg?itok=RYGCTKVM, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-04.jpg?itok=pe0258Xe, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-04.jpg?itok=BNr2MM97, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-04.jpg?itok=NJtcYJoN, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-04.jpg?itok=j26WyjuZ, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-04.jpg" alt="Scavi per l'Aula magna"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="Stabile principale, Lugano" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-05.jpg?itok=Q3gy8Ckk, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-05.jpg?itok=9vJsd16p, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-05.jpg?itok=ZlfpFDYu, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-05.jpg?itok=CB_DTtcz, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-05.jpg?itok=tj_3N5vg, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-05.jpg?itok=IOYT30qg, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-05.jpg" alt="Stabile principale, Lugano"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="press-storia-06.jpg" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-06.jpg?itok=PqGRhIwW, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-06.jpg?itok=ZvMzy8sW, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-06.jpg?itok=HM_V-S4T, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-06.jpg?itok=FUakTYl-, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-06.jpg?itok=0en92nZk, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-06.jpg?itok=hNyJHxe9, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-06.jpg" alt="press-storia-06.jpg"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="Mario Botta" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-07.jpg?itok=q1zsUPHZ, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-07.jpg?itok=PJ-EWVd_, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-07.jpg?itok=1IetuWtj, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-07.jpg?itok=Sh6h-TL5, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-07.jpg?itok=U1hQd2Jl, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-07.jpg?itok=bbI6JX7A, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-07.jpg" alt="Mario Botta"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> <div class="slider__element"> <img width="2880" height="1620" alt="21 ottobre 1996, inizio dei corsi" data-interchange="[https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_small/public/storage/images/press-storia-08.jpg?itok=PsUK1UX1, small], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xsmall/public/storage/images/press-storia-08.jpg?itok=ch5DqJHB, xsmall], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_medium/public/storage/images/press-storia-08.jpg?itok=6Fbii-Jg, medium], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_large/public/storage/images/press-storia-08.jpg?itok=_40V6_ID, large], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-08.jpg?itok=UBaGZHaC, xlarge], [https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/styles/usi_xxlarge/public/storage/images/press-storia-08.jpg?itok=DLDSST6P, xxlarge]"> <noscript><img src="public://storage/images/press-storia-08.jpg" alt="21 ottobre 1996, inizio dei corsi"></noscript> <div class="caption0"> </em> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section > <div class="section_item"> <div class="text_container"> <p>With the inauguration of USI, in <strong>1996</strong>, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland chose to play an active role towards the intellectual and socio-economic growth of the country, and not only – by leveraging at best its convenient cultural position between northern Europe and the Mediterranean.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The failure of CUSI and the legacy of Stefano Franscini</strong></p> <p>USI saw the light ten years after the failure of the project for a post-graduate continuing education institution in Ticino (CUSI, <em>Centro universitario della Svizzera italiana</em>), by the initiative of a number of concerned citizens and leading intellectuals determined to maintain the essential elements of <a href="http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/i/I3508.php" target="_blank">statesman Stefano Franscini’s vision</a>, a founding father of modern Ticino who as early as 1844 underlined the importance of higher education in Ticino. At the time, the Canton south of the Alps was poor, rural and with high levels of illiteracy, and Franscini saw in education, at not only basic but also advanced levels, a powerful means for emancipation.</p> <p>Over a century after the original ideas of Stefano Franscini, in the 1990s Ticino had become a wealthy region with an affluent services industry, but was also hit by a major economic crisis. In this context, the founders of USI saw in our university the opportunity for <strong>new development and empowerment</strong> of a region to be acknowledged for its role within the Federal state and in the world.</p> </div> </div> <div class="section_item"> <div class="quote"> <div class="row"> <div class="small-3 medium-2 column"> <div class="crop" style="background-image: url('https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/storage/images/press-giuseppe-buffi-quote.jpg')"> </div> </div> <div class="small-9 medium-10 column"> <div class="text_container"> <p>"The proposal for a University in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland is brought forward not just despite the crisis, but, if anything, because we are in a crisis.<br /> USI embodies Canton Ticino’s desire to dare and hope”</p> <p> </p> </div> <p> Giuseppe Buffi, Councilor of State of the Canton Ticino (1986-2000) </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section_item"> <div class="text_container"> <p><strong>The birth of USI, where those with a purpose will find ways to achieve it</strong></p> <p>USI is the result of the combination of two projects initiated in the 1990s:</p> <ul> <li>1992-1994: the idea of architect <a href="http://www.botta.ch" target="_blank">Mario Botta</a> to create an Academy of architecture in Ticino, with the support of Councilor of State <a href="http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/i/I33921.php" target="_blank">Giuseppe Buffi</a>, minister of Education from 1986 to 2000, and the mayor of the City of Mendrisio, Carlo Croci;</li> <li>1993-1995: the vision of a “freie Universität” (<em>free University</em>) in Lugano, with a faculty of economics and a faculty of communication sciences, championed by the then mayor of the City of Lugano, <a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Giudici" target="_blank">Giorgio Giudici</a> and city council members Giuliano Bignasca and Giorgio Salvadè. A scientific group, formed by Mauro Baranzini, Sergio Cigada and Lanfranco Senn, joined thereafter by Luigi Dadda and Remigio Ratti, were then commissioned with the development of the project.</li> </ul> <p>The ‘marriage’ of the two projects is celebrated by <strong>Giuseppe Buffi</strong>, assisted by Mauro Martinoni and Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, and is enacted on <strong>October 3rd, 1995</strong>, with the Ticino parliament (Grand Council) approval of the <a href="http://www3.ti.ch/CAN/RLeggi/public/raccolta-leggi/legge/numero/5.3.1.1" target="_blank">Law on the Università della Svizzera italiana</a>, thus establishing a public university with <strong>three faculties</strong>, designed to stand out for their novelty within the Swiss university system:</p> <ul> <li>the <a href="http://www.arc.usi.ch" target="_blank">Academy of Architecture</a>, built on the centuries-old legacy of past and contemporary Ticinese masters, is defined by an educational philosophy where building is an art, rather than just a mere technical matter;</li> <li>the <a href="https://www.eco.usi.ch" target="_blank">Faculty of Economics</a>, created to provide new stimuli to the third financial marketplace in Switzerland with a curriculum combining topics on quantitative methods and social-economic analysis;</li> <li>the <a href="https://www.com.usi.ch" target="_blank">Faculty of Communication Sciences</a>, unique in Switzerland for its approach to communication as a human condition, beyond its mere aspect of it being an instrument. </li> </ul> <p>One year later, upon formal approval by the Swiss Science and Innovation Council, on <strong>October 21st, 1996</strong> USI opened its doors to the first enrolled students and gave its <strong>first classes</strong>.</p> <p>Federal Councilor Ruth Dreifuss, during a speech given at the first <a href="/en/originalnode/121">Dies academicus</a> on March 8th, 1997, was keen in outlining the events that led to the creation of USI: “those with a purpose will find ways to achieve it”.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>First steps</strong></p> <p>From the very beginning, USI was defined by its open, informal and dynamic culture and by the freedom to create, initiate and experiment.</p> <p>Soon after the first <em>Dies</em> (March 8th, 1997), in the year 2000, the <strong>first degrees</strong> were awarded and, at the same time, the definite acknowledgement of the Federal Council was announced, certifying Ticino with the status of Cantonal University.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Informatics and Italian studies</li> </ul> <p>In 2004, the <a href="https://www.inf.usi.ch" target="_blank">Faculty of Informatics</a> was inaugurated by then <a href="/en/originalnode/58">President Marco Baggiolini</a>, with the purpose to address the challenges of society’s digital revolution with an educational and research curricula that considers informatics primarily as a new relationship between man and reality.</p> <p>In 2007, the <a href="http://www.isi.com.usi.ch" target="_blank">Institute of Italian Studies</a> is created within the Faculty of Communication Sciences, enhancing USI’s role in promoting multilinguism in Switzerland and forming the ideal venue for combining Swiss identity and Italian civilization.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Computational science and Biomedical sciences</li> </ul> <p>During his time as President of USI, <a href="/en/originalnode/58">Piero Martinoli</a> oversaw the creation of the <a href="https://www.ics.usi.ch/" target="_blank">Institute of Computational Science</a> and two important developments in the field of Biomedical sciences. After the affiliation, in 2010, of the <a href="http://www.irb.usi.ch" target="_blank">Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB)</a>, in 2014 the institution of the <a href="http://www.biomed.usi.ch" target="_blank">Faculty in Biomedical Sciences</a> was approved, representing thus the contribution of USI in solving an urgent national problem, the dearth of medical doctors trained in Switzerland. The novelty of the project consists in the joint collaboration with other Swiss universities: ETH Zurich, University of Basel and University of Zurich.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>The first Rector</li> </ul> <p>In 2016, a new organisational model was implemented, starting with the appointment of <a href="https://search.usi.ch/en/people/9232e4ec8a9998899ca5372f11740391/erez-boas" target="_blank">Boas Erez</a> as <a href="/en/originalnode/76">Rector</a> of USI.</p> </div> </div> </section> <section > <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> A timeline of events that lead to the creation of a university in southern Switzerland: </h2> </div> </div> <div class="timeline"> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1588</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>A document preserved in the historical archives of the City of Lucerne provides evidence of the first attempts to establish a university in Lugano, at first by Somascan Fathers, then by the Jesuits – both failed.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1844</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The Parliament of the Canton Ticino (Grand Council) approves the project of Stefano Franscini for the creation of an academic institution in Ticino (“Accademia Ticinese”), but the project is shelved, due to the financial troubles of the Canton and to the rivalries between the cities of Locarno, Bellinzona and Lugano.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1912-1960</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>Throughout the first half of the 20th century, several discussions took place and at least new three attempts were made, none of which were successful.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1985</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The Grand Council approves the project for an institute of continuous education, the “Centro Universitario della Svizzera italiana” (CUSI), but the project was rejected by referendum in 1986.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1991</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>At the celebrations for the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, Federal councilor Flavio Cotti gives as peech in Poschiavo, underlining the potential for the Italian-speaking regions of<br /> the country to contribute in the academic and scientific sector and, as such, the need for a new initiative on the subject.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1992-1994</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>Mario Botta takes the cue from Roland Crottaz (President of the ETH Board) for the creation of an Academy of Architecture. Then, mandated by the Ticino government, he designs a project together with Cantonal minister Giuseppe Buffi for its realization.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1993</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The City of Lugano mandates Mauro Baranzini, Sergio Cigada and Lanfranco Senn to draft detailed project for the creation of two Faculties in Lugano. Luigi Dadda and Remigio Ratti join the team two years later.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1995</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>In March, the City Council of Lugano approves the project for the creation of two Faculties, one of Communication Sciences and one of Economics.<br /> In October, the Ticino Parliament approves the Bill for the Università della Svizzera italiana, with the two Faculties in Lugano and the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1996</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The Swiss Science Council gives the green light to the creations of the Università della Svizzera italiana. On October 21, 1996, at 8:30am, the first lectures are given on the Lugano and Mendrisio campuses.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>1998</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The first Executive Master program is launched (Master of Advanced Studies in Health Economics and Social and Healthcare Management). The following year, the Executive Master of Science in Communications Management (initially MPR, today EMScom) is launched.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2000</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>Together with its first degrees awarded, USI is fully accredited by the Federal Council, thus conferring Ticino the status of university Canton.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2001</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>USI is one of the first universities in Switzerland to adopt the higher education framework established by the Bologna Declaration.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2004</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The Faculty of Informatics is created.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2007</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The Institute of Italian Studies is established and the Master in Italian Language, Literature and Civilisation is launched; later, in 2012, the relevant Bachelor curriculum is launched.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2008</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The new Institute of Computational Science is created within the Faculty of Informatics.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2010</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The Institute of Research in Biomedicine (IRB, Bellinzona), led by Prof. Antonio Lanzavecchia, is affiliated to USI.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2011</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>Prof. Michele Parrinello (Faculty of Informatics) receives the Marcel Benoist Prize, the most important scientific award in Switzerland. The Institute for the History and Theory of Art and Architecture is created.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2014</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>The Ticino Parliament approves the creation of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, the fifth at USI.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-entry"> <div class="timeline-title"> <h3>2016</h3> </div> <div class="timeline-body"> <p>In 2016, a new organisational model was implemented, starting with the appointment of Boas Erez as Rector of USI.</p> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="large-3 columns sidebar"> <section class="contacts0"> <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> Contact </h2> </div> </div> <ul class="collection"> <li> <div class="section_item"> <p> <strong> <a href=" https://search.usi.ch/en/organisational-units/155/institutional-communication-service "> Institutional Communication Service </a> </strong> </p> <p> <a href="tel:+41586664792">+41 58 666 47 92</a><br/> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2656544355556653554f08454e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="413133243232013432286f2229">[email protected]</span></a> </p> </div> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="links0"> <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> Quicklinks </h2> </div> </div> <ul class="collection"> <li> <a href="/originalnode/121"> <div class="section_item"> Dies academicus <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-arrow-right " > <use xlink:href="#arrow-right"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/originalnode/122"> <div class="section_item"> Honorary doctorates <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-arrow-right " > <use xlink:href="#arrow-right"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/originalnode/123"> <div class="section_item"> Honorary members <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-arrow-right " > <use xlink:href="#arrow-right"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/originalnode/26950"> <div class="section_item"> Past presidents of USI <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-arrow-right " > <use xlink:href="#arrow-right"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/originalnode/9"> <div class="section_item"> USI at a glance <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-arrow-right " > <use xlink:href="#arrow-right"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/originalnode/127"> <div class="section_item"> Information materials <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-arrow-right " > <use xlink:href="#arrow-right"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="attachments0"> <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> Attachments </h2> </div> </div> <ul class="collection"> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/storage/attachments/press-giuseppe-buffi-discorso-entrata-materia-legge-usi.pdf" target="_blank"> <div class="section_item"> Giuseppe Buffi - Official speach for the enactment of the Law on USI (1995; in Italian) (PDF 7.78 MB) <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-download " > <use xlink:href="#download"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="collection"> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/storage/attachments/press-10-stories-for-10-years.pdf" target="_blank"> <div class="section_item"> Booklet 10 stories for 10 years (2006) (PDF 604.29 KB) <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-download " > <use xlink:href="#download"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="collection"> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/storage/attachments/press-speciale-square-20-anni-usi.pdf" target="_blank"> <div class="section_item"> USI Square special 20th anniversary issue (2016; in italian) (PDF 4.45 MB) <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-download " > <use xlink:href="#download"></use> </svg> </i> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="share0"> <ul class="vertical_menu"> <li class="item"> <div class="section_item"> <div class="accordion sublinks" data-accordion data-allow-all-closed="true"> <div class="accordion-item" data-accordion-item> <a href="#" class="has-children"> <h2> Share <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-drop-down " > <use xlink:href="#drop-down"></use> </svg> </i> </h2> </a> <div class="accordion-content" data-tab-content> <div class="sublink"> <a class="facebook share-button" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history" title="Facebook share" target="_blank"> Facebook </a> </div> <div class="sublink"> <a class="twitter share-button" href="https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history&text= History " title="Twitter share" target="_blank"> Twitter </a> </div> <div class="sublink"> <a class="linkedin share-button" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history&title= History " title="LinkedIn Share" target="_blank"> LinkedIn </a> </div> <div class="sublink"> <a class="whatsapp share-button" href="whatsapp://send?text=https://www.usi.ch/en/university/who-we-are/history" title="Whatsapp Share"> Whatsapp </a> </div> <div class="sublink"> <a class="email share-button" href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6e511a0153481d1b0c040b0d1a533b3d274e434e4e26071d1a011c176464480c010a17533b0007180b1c1d071aadce4e0a0b02020f4e3d180714140b1c0f4e071a0f02070f000f4e434e4e26071d1a011c1764644b5e2a4b5e2f061a1a1e1d544141191919401b1d07400d06410b00411b0007180b1c1d071a174119060143190b430f1c0b4106071d1a011c17" title="Email Share"> Email </a> </div> <div class="sublink"> <button id="copy_url_to_clipboard_button" onclick="copyURLtoClipboard();"> <span id="to_copy">Copy url to clipboard</span> <span id="copied" style="display: none">Copied!</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="print0"> <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> <a class="title-with-icon" href="" onClick=window.print()> Print <i class="icon_container0"><svg class="icon0 icon-print " > <use xlink:href="#print"></use> </svg> </i> </a> </h2> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cd-panel cd-panel--from-right cd-panel-main"> <div class="cd-panel__container"> <div class="vertical_calendar0 row"> <div class="v_cal_content0 small-12 large-5 large-push-7 dark_background0"> <div class="v_cal_header"> <div class="v_cal_hide row column small-12"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-close " > <use xlink:href="#close"></use> </svg> </i> </div> <div class="title row column small-12">Events</div> </div> <div class="v_cal_dates row"> <div class="column small-12"> <div class="date_container"> <div class="row"> <div class="column medium-2 show-for-medium"> <div class="day">13</div> </div> <div class="column medium-2 show-for-medium"> <div class="month">December</div> <div class="year">2024</div> </div> <div class="column small-3 show-for-small-only"> <div class="date_small"> 13.<br> 12.<br> 2024 </div> </div> <div class="column small-9 medium-8"> <div class="events"> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/30212">Franco Zabagli, «I libri di Pasolini» (Ciclo Dottorato ISI)</a></strong></p> Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society </div> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/29092">International PhD Program in Cancer Biology and Oncology</a></strong></p> Faculty of Biomedical Sciences </div> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/30337">IOR Lecture Series - "Exploring somatic evolution and the impact of treatment"</a></strong></p> Faculty of Biomedical Sciences </div> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/29916">On Simulation. A Cultural Technique for Uncertain Urban Futures. Public symposium</a></strong></p> Academy of Architecture </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="date_container"> <div class="row"> <div class="column medium-2 show-for-medium"> <div class="day">16</div> </div> <div class="column medium-2 show-for-medium"> <div class="month">December</div> <div class="year">2024</div> </div> <div class="column small-3 show-for-small-only"> <div class="date_small"> 16.<br> 12.<br> 2024 </div> </div> <div class="column small-9 medium-8"> <div class="events"> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/30517">"Forest Finance - Carbon, Biodiversity, and Beyond"</a></strong></p> Faculty of Economics </div> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/30642">4th Lugano Ca' Foscari Workshop in Analytic Metaphysics</a></strong></p> Faculty of Theology of Lugano </div> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/29247">IdEP Seminar, Stefano Carattini - "Climate change in the classroom"</a></strong></p> Faculty of Economics </div> <div class="event"> <p><strong><a href="/en/feeds/28642">Lo spazio delle donne - Frediani e Garau</a></strong></p> Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="v_cal_footer row"> <div class="column small-12"> <div class="v_cal_links"> <ul class="no_style0 inline0 bar_separator0"> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/news-events/events">All events</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.desk.usi.ch/en/featured/tags/schedules-1048/tags/courses-1033">Course schedules</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.desk.usi.ch/en/usi-academic-calendar">Academic calendar</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="v_cal_shade0"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer0 dark_background0"> <div class="footer_content0"> <div class="row"> <div class="column medium-3 large-4"> <address> <span class="bold0">Università della Svizzera italiana</span><br> Via Buffi 13<br> 6900 Lugano, Switzerland<br> tel <a href="tel:+41586664000">+41 58 666 40 00</a><br> e-mail <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e38a8d858ca396908acd808b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5831363e37182d2b31763b30">[email protected]</span></a><br> <a href="/en/originalnode/162">Other contacts</a><br> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0c7d5d2d6d5d5d4d2d1d3dbf0c5c3d99ed3d8">Feedback on the website</a></address> </div> <div class="column medium-3 large-2 hide-for-small-only"> <section > <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> Directions </h2> </div> </div> <div class="section_item no_border0"> <ul class="no_style0"> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/143" target="_blank">Lugano campus</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/7704" target="_blank">Mendrisio campus</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/148" target="_blank">Bellinzona campus</a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> <div class="column medium-3 large-3"> <section > <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> Stay in touch </h2> </div> </div> <div class="section_item no_border0"> <ul class="no_style0 inline0 social_icons0"> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usiuniversity" target="_blank"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_white0"><svg class="icon0 icon-instagram " style='vertical-align: text-bottom;'> <use xlink:href="#instagram"></use> </svg> </i> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=10934" target="_blank"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_white0"><svg class="icon0 icon-linkedin " style='vertical-align: text-bottom;'> <use xlink:href="#linkedin"></use> </svg> </i> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/usiuniversity" target="_blank"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_white0"><svg class="icon0 icon-youtube " style='vertical-align: text-bottom;'> <use xlink:href="#youtube"></use> </svg> </i> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/USI_en" target="_blank"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_white0"><svg class="icon0 icon-twitter " style='vertical-align: text-bottom;'> <use xlink:href="#twitter"></use> </svg> </i> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/usiuniversity" target="_blank"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_white0"><svg class="icon0 icon-facebook " style='vertical-align: text-bottom;'> <use xlink:href="#facebook"></use> </svg> </i> </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="no-style hide-for-small-only"> <li> <a href="https://newsletter.usi.ch/archive/en" target="_blank">Newsletter</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/140" target="_blank">Annual Report</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/947" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> <div class="column medium-3 large-3"> <section > <div class="row section_title"> <div class="column small-12"> <h2> For your safety </h2> </div> </div> <div class="section_item no_border0"> <ul class="no_style0 safety0"> <li> Emergency: <a href="tel:112">112</a> </li> <li> Campus security - Lugano: <a href="tel:+41586664730">+41 58 666 47 30</a> </li> <li> Campus security - Mendrisio: <a href="tel:+41586665820">+41 58 666 58 20</a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="row lower_footer"> <div class="medium-3 large-4 columns"> <div>© Università della Svizzera italiana</div> </div> <div class="medium-6 large-5 columns hide_for_XS"> <ul class="no_style0 inline0 bar_separator0"> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/2398" target="_blank">Credits</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/2399" target="_blank">Disclaimer</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/36960" target="_blank">Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/sitemap" target="_blank">Sitemap</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="medium-3 large-3 columns swissuni_logo0"> <a href="https://www.swissuniversities.ch/" target="_blank"> <img src="https://www.usi.ch/sites/all/themes/usiclean/img/swissuniversities.svg" alt="swissuniversities.ch" width="150"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer_bar0"> <div class="footer_bar_content0"> <div class="row"> <div class="column large-12"> <ul class="footer_bar_menu_mobile0 no_style0 inline0 hide-for-large"> <li><a href="https://search.usi.ch"><i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-address-book " > <use xlink:href="#address-book"></use> </svg> </i></a></li> <li><a href="https://desk.usi.ch"><i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-info " > <use xlink:href="#info"></use> </svg> </i></a></li> <li class="trigger search_trigger" data-target="navigation0"><i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-search " > <use xlink:href="#search"></use> </svg> </i></li> <li class="trigger" data-target="footer_bar_menu0"><i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-tools " > <use xlink:href="#tools"></use> </svg> </i></li> <li class="v_cal_show"><i class="icon_container0 icon_full0"><svg class="icon0 icon-calendar " > <use xlink:href="#calendar"></use> </svg> </i></li> </ul> <ul class="footer_bar_menu0 panel0 panel_v0 no_style0 inline0 bar_separator0"> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/18">Faculties</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/18">Institutes</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/59">Bodies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/120">Legal regulations</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/864">Libraries and archives</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/14049">Practicalities</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/119">Services</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/7641">Job offers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usi.ch/en/originalnode/162">Contact</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="up_button0"> <i class="icon_container0 icon_2x"><svg class="icon0 icon-arrow-circle " > <use xlink:href="#arrow-circle"></use> </svg> </i> </div> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script src="https://www.usi.ch/sites/default/files/js/js_eaJMOmiD4VcTPI4y3e-Q40Z-cNkywJ2YU-HaNN8F8s0.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

History | USI