Journey in the Academic and Research world of Italy Anna Maria Fioretti

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1 Journey in the Academic and Research world of Italy Anna Maria Fioretti Politecnico of Torino The politecnico di torino at a glance The Politecnico di Torino boasts one and a half centuries of academic activity. It currently has four Schools of Engineering, two Schools of Architecture, plus a Graduate School. There are 547 lecturers, 317 research staff, 25,000 students; 800 technical and administration staff. In 2003 the Politecnico balance sheet shows an income of 230 million Euros, of which 106 million come from the government. Every year there are more than 170,000 hours of lectures and practical exercises; there are also libraries, fully-equipped laboratories, computer centres, co-operative research projects and exchanges with the leading European and American universities. Around 700 research project contracts in collaboration with industries and governmentfunded institutions provide an income of around 24.5 million Euros each year. This figure is steadily on the increase in comparison to the figures over the last two years. During the past 10 years the Politecnico di Torino has doubled in size and capability, offering its students excellence. A degree from the Politecnico di Torino is certainly a prestigious entry into the professional world. Technology in context The Politecnico di Torino offers excellence in technology and acknowledges a historical context. It promotes the ability to carry out theoretical or applied research, and also the capacity to achieve concrete and reliable productive processes or organise services and facilities. Attention is paid to practicality without forgetting design, and striving for quality while keeping costs under control. At the Politecnico, today s needs are analysed to design a sustainable tomorrow. By the end of his or her degree, a Politecnico di Torino graduate has gained a vast, many-sided range of skills and knowledge. Education here goes beyond a technical knowledge of engineering and architecture. Students acquire competence in the interdisciplinary nature of the various fields of the contemporary scientific world, while still aware of the needs of people and society. Engineers, Architects and more Engineers and Architects are the main professional figures at the Politecnico di Torino. Both have strategic planning and a common interdisciplinary approach. The range of studies is broad and ever-widening: it spans space, environment and land, telecommunications, information, energy, mechanics, electronics, chemistry, automation, electrical engineering, industrial design, architecture and building, restoration They are very different subjects requiring different study methods. Both theory and technical planning are needed: method as well as inventiveness. Everyone wishing to learn at the Politecnico di Torino will certainly find his or her way and enter quickly into the professional world, or start a research career, both leading to top positions either in their own practice or in a company. Graduates also have the opportunity to create their own business in the Politecnico s Incubator for new hi-tech businesses. 91

2 Dealing with changing situations Years ago the polytechniciens were concerned only with the technical project, leaving to others any problems which were not strictly rational. Today things are completely different. The modern world is multifaceted and problems are all connected: technology, environment, economy, development and their impact on society, become more and more interrelated. Furthermore, new technologies are constantly emerging so research, planning, production and management require enhanced capabilities to deal with changing situations. Complexity can lead to uncertainty - uncertainty that must be dealt with. The Politecnico does not only provide knowledge: students acquire a critical approach to work which will be valid throughout their professional lives and help them deal with changing situations. Historical Background The Regio Politecnico di Torino (Royal Turin Polytechnic) was founded in 1906, but its origins go back further. It was preceded by the Scuola di Applicazione per gli Ingegneri (Technical School for Engineers) founded in 1859 after the Casati Act and the Museo Industriale Italiano (Italian Industry Museum) founded in 1862 under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. The Technical School for Engineers was part of the university, which led to technical studies being accepted as part of higher education. The country was about to begin a new industrial era, which the Industry Museum addressed more directly. Famous scholars and researchers, authorities in different subjects with characters to match, gave a decree to new subjects such as electrotechnics and building science. They were the first to have a vision of founding a school which dealt with the needs of people and society. Following the model of the most famous European Polytechnic Schools, at the beginning of the 20th Century the Regio Politecnico di Torino, had various objectives. It began to contact both the European scientific world and local and national industry. Students attending the Castello del Valentino and the site in via Ospedale had the impression of living in a world that was quickly changing. Aeronautics began as a subject. Students from all over Italy came to Turin, and found in the new laboratories built for the study of everything from chemistry to architecture a lively and resourceful atmosphere. The future was already at hand. Campuses and the Regional Network The Valentino Castle on the River Po is still the main teaching centre for architecture (area: 23,000 square metres). The vast Corso Duca degli Abruzzi campus (area: 122,000 square metres), dedicated mainly to engineering was opened in November In the last ten years new teaching centres have opened: Alessandria, Aosta, Biella, Ivrea, Mondovì and Vercelli. Vercelli is the location of the Second School of Engineering. These new teaching centres were opened to carry on the successful policy of reinforcing the Politecnico s presence in Piedmont and Valle d Aosta (North West Italy). The regional centres increase access to courses and also strengthen the rapport between the Politecnico and the resources and businesses of the local area. Recent agreements with FIAT for automotive engineering and with ALENIA for aerospace engineering have made it possible to open two more Metropolitan Centres in the City of Turin (at the Lingotto and in corso Francia). 92

3 The Valentino Castle Plans for the residence of the Royal House of Savoy went through a plethora of changes from the original project in the mid-1500s. After various owners, Duke Carlo Emanuele I gave it to his daughter in law Christine of France, who in 1621 began a radical restructuring of the river residence, following the French pavillon système model designed by Carlo di Castellamonte, (between ). This restructuring added the definition of towers towards the river, the passageway for the court and roofs in the French style. Amedeo di Castellamonte s designs (from 1641) added the front tower and the connecting passages. The complete project can be observed in two engravings in the Theatrum Sabaudiae (1682). A semicircular gallery originally sealed off the court of honour in an aulic axial system which crossed the Sala delle Colonne and was connected to the river by staircases and gardens. The gallery was pulled down in the late 1800s and replaced by fencing. Between 1633 and 1646 artists from Lugano decorated the first floor apartments with white and gold plaster and frescos. By the 18th century, the building had lost its role as country residence for the court. The connecting passages between the towers were restructured and extended to house the 1858 Industrial Exhibition; in 1859 it was given to the Regia Scuola di Applicazione per gli Ingegneri and it now belongs to the Politecnico. Plans for Expansion The Politecnico di Torino is meeting the challenges of the new millenium with new, more efficient organisation and improvements in teaching standards. Alongside this, more space will be dedicated to students; study rooms, canteens, park areas and sports facilities are planned. State of the art research facilities will soon be available. With these plans for expansion, the Politecnico area is to be increased by an area of 170,000 square metres, (50,000 by the year 2005) in an area next to the corso Duca degli Abruzzi building complex in Turin. The Governing Body of the Politecnico di Torino The Politecnico is governed by: the Rector, the Academic Senate, and the Board of Governors. The Rector is the legal representative of the Polytechnic, and the guarantor of freedom of research and teaching, freedom to study and the rights of the whole staff and students of the Politecnico di Torino. The Rector acts as chairman in the Academic Senate and the Board of Governors. The Academic Senate defines policy and planning and co-ordinates the Politecnico in order to maintain the autonomy of the Politecnico. The Board of Governors defines administration objectives and plans, and controls their results. Following the Rector s proposal, the Board of Governors designates the Administrative Director, who is responsible for all administration and general services. Departments and Schools Research and teaching require a complex organisational structure. The 18 Departments of the Politecnico organise research in a wide range of scientific sectors. Teaching is organised in such a way as to cross departmental boundaries. Together, 4 Schools of Engineering, 2 Schools of Architecture and the Graduate School run the 3-year degree, the 5-year degree and post-graduate courses. 93

4 Structure and Services Results in the fields of teaching and research have won the Politecnico a top position in European university classifications. This is due to its excellent team of lecturers together with its modern services and organisation. Using managerial logic, the Politecnico constantly adapts in order to increase its competitive edge. Since 1998 there has been a process of reorganisation and revision in progress which has made it possible for the Politecnico to offer a wider and more sophisticated choice of courses and to carry out ever more valuable research. This has the positive effect of providing the Politecnico with more fruitful relationships with research partners from national and international industries and research institutes. Students and Teaching About 25,000 students attend the Politecnico each year (4,000 in the first year, and 3,000 studying at the regional teaching centres), representing a 50% increase over the last 10 years. The percentage of women attending the Politecnico has more than doubled, going from 7% in 1990 up to 16% in 2000 and 26% in About 20% of students come from outside the region of Piedmont. Each year about 3,000 students graduate and for the most part find employment within 4-6 months. Three levels of education The 1999 reform changed the organisation of Italian universities profoundly. The Politecnico s academic system was transformed by this reform over a period beginning in session 1999/2000 and ending in 2000/2001. At present there are 3 successive levels of higher education. 3-year degree - prepares professionals capable of managing innovation 5-year degree - prepares professionals capable of creating innovation Doctorate involving 3 years of further study and research prepares professionals capable of anticipating innovation. The skills and knowledge necessary to meet specific demands and respond to opportunities in the professional world are provided in the graduate programmes There are various Master s courses available after completion of a 3-year degree or after a 5-year degree. Doctorates In 1998, the Politecnico decided on a new policy; the setting-up of a Graduate School to organise all aspects of graduate studies. The Graduate School has an essential role in research, and is also becoming increasingly important for the highly qualified professional in a society in which knowledge is central. The Politecnico Doctorate is the equivalent of a Ph.D. in the English-speaking world. It attests the student s attainment of a high level of scientific and professional knowledge. The Doctorate is the best introduction to modern and international industry looking for valid research staff ready to work on a new project or on the development of a new product, alone or in a team. Distance Learning In comparison with other Italian universities, the Politecnico di Torino has the biggest number of distance learning students (around 1,500). Distance learning, with lessons 94

5 broadcast on TV (and satellite), and via Internet, represents a new challenge. In addition to the physical distance between the Politecnico s main teaching centres in Turin and the regional teaching centres, there is now the distance between teachers and learners who do not attend lectures in a traditional way. Every student organises his or her time as they choose, just coming to the Politecnico to have meetings with teachers, use laboratories and libraries, and for their exams. Thanks to the new possibilities opened up in communication techniques, each year more and more lessons can be followed via Internet or in video-conference. International Development Double degrees Since the beginning of the nineties, the Politecnico has adopted a policy of geographical mobility for students, in close collaboration with partner universities. In accordance with a long tradition on inter-university relations, Politecnico students can attend some of their courses in one of 40 European universities and obtain a double degree. At Stockholm, for example, students can study civil, electrical and information science engineering. They can read chemistry and materials engineering at Montpellier. Electronic engineering can be studied at the universities of Paris, Grenoble, Barcelona, Darmstadt and Lausanne. Madrid, Barcelona, Compiègne and Karlsruhe offer mechanical engineering as a double degree, while in the United Kingdom there is aerospace engineering. Telecommunications engineering is a joint project with Paris, Barcelona and Compiègne universities. Aeronautical engineering has Toulouse as the partner university. Outside Europe, double degree agreements for engineering involve some of the most prestigious universities in Latin America. Among these are Universidad Central de Venezuela; the ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico, the Universidad Católica de Valparaiso in Chile; the Universidad Estadual de São Paulo in Brazil. There are also agreements with universities abroad which outline integrated syllabuses - at present the University of Illinois in Chicago grants a Master s Degree to Politecnico students on their programme. Recently the Second School of Architecture and the University of Belgrano in Argentina drew up a Double Degree agreement, while the Politecnico Mondovì architecture teaching centre is set to draw up a similar agreement with the French University of La Mediterranée (Aix-Marseille II). The same type of agreements are being planned with Australian Universities such as the Trobe University in Melbourne; the Swinburne University of Technology and Sidney University. Within the Technology, Architecture and Cities in Developing Countries postgraduate specialisation in collaboration with some countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America is internationally recognised as one of the most efficient forms of cooperation. Foreign Students The quality of the Politecnico di Torino and its thorough scientific proficiency is acknowledged all over Europe, and recognised by international university evaluation institutions. Each year nearly 350 foreign students travel to Italy to attend the Politecnico. Each year roughly the same number of students from the Politecnico di Torino attend lessons for part of their degrees in universities abroad. Complessivamente sono 700 gli studenti stranieri iscritti a vario titolo all Ateneo. 95

6 Most foreign students are from Europe but a fair proportion come from Latin America, Australia and Asia. From the Alps to the Andes The ALPIP Project (America Latina Piemonte Politecnico) and the constant involvement of the Columbus association of 25 European and 47 South-American universities bear witness to the Politecnico s intense interest in academic exchanges and in promoting new international relationships involved in the education of foreign students. In recent years one hundred scholarship grants will be distributed to students at all levels (from degree to doctorate). This grant is made by contributions from Regione Piemonte, Fondazione CRT and many other corporate associations. The ALPIP project has fostered contacts which have acted to incentivate further student mobility, with more Latin American students having the opportunity to come to Turin, and vice versa students from Turin are able to study at one of the South American Universities in order to gain a double degree. The amount of Latin american students at the Politecnico has in fact increased fourfold: from there were 50 students, while from there were over 200. Furthermore, teaching staff from the Politecnico are to lecture in the Universities in the Columbus network. Research The Politecnico is a research university interested in the balanced development of both theoretical and applied research. It has close relationships with international institutions, companies, local government and other types of association and takes social and economic considerations into account. It works in an atmosphere of international co-operation with the most prestigious academic contacts. Being competitive in Europe The Politecnico di Torino is an active participant in many international porgrammes financed by the European Commission. Within the V Technological Research and Development Programme ( ), it had a 31% success rate and finance for 84 projects, a contribution worth 13.5 million Euros. The results were also positive on programmes with focussed more on international cooperation and training. In fact, since 1998, 30 projects have been financed, a contribution worth around 2.5 million Euros. Partnerships and Agreements The Politecnico has always relied on close ties with both government and industry. In fact each year it has drawn up about 700 research contracts with government funded institutions, local organisations, industries. The most prominent research partners in industry are Alenia, Compaq, Ferrari, FIAT, IBM, Michelin, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Philips, Piaggio, Pininfarina, Pirelli, Siemens, STMicroelectronics and Telecom Italia. Increasing the quality and importance of research partnerships, and developing long lasting projects - perhaps involving the creation of new subjects - is a prime objective. Information and Communication Technologies I.C.T. Together with the Compagnia di San Paolo, the Politecnico is working on an ambitious project which aims to make the Politecnico the centre of excellence in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies). The Turin area is to become the leading ICT region (financial backing: 22 million Euros). 96

7 The Politecnico succeeded in attracting Motorola to move its Wireless Systems Research and Development laboratories onto the campus, one of the first tangible results of the project. Further progress was marked with the establishment of the Mario Boella Institute. Together with its partners the Institute is building up one of the best wireless centres in Europe. The Mario Boella Institute was founded in 2000 by the Compagnia di San Paolo and the Politecnico di Torino. The mission of the institute is to strengthen research and high-level training in the ICT sector, mainly through sharing resources and strategies with the Politecnico. It is also involved in Technology to Business Intelligence. Motorola, STMicroelectronics, Telecom Italia Lab and CERVED became partners in The Mario Boella Institute is a European centre of excellence, due to a cluster of state-of.the-art laboratories in the following sectors: photonics, antennae and electromagnetic compatibility, Networking, e-security, radiomobile technology for multimedia, services and applications. Together with the Politecnico, the Institute provides teaching staff especially for Master s in technological subjects and Doctorate programmes. The Institute is also a partner of the Torino Wireless Foundation and promotes the development of wireless applications in the Turin area. The Incubator for new hi-tech businesses at the Politecnico di Torino (I3P) This project aims to support students, recent graduates, teachers and technicians from the Politecnico to start a business. The Incubator s partners are the Politecnico itself, FinPiemonte, Provincia di Torino, Città di Torino and the Camera di Commercio di Torino. Financial support is provided by the Fondazione CRT (4.5 million Euros). The Incubator is an equipped area near the Politecnico s classrooms and laboratories where new ventures can start. Here the new businessperson can find space and technical support at subsidised costs and above all, qualified assistance. Often, a good idea is not enough: finance, administration and organisation are necessary. In June 2003, after 4 years of activity, there were already 36 new businesses which have come through the Incubator. Of these, 9 are headed by Politecnico graduates who have been able to continue their businesses independently after a maximum of 3 years in the Incubator. Automotive Engineering This new project financed by external backing (50 million Euros over 10 years) is the FIAT/Politecnico initiative to promote teaching and research both specifically in the field of automation and in the classic areas of engineering which intersect with this particular area. Urban and Regional Systems for Innovation A new Institute of Urban and Regional Systems for Innovation (SiT.I, once again in partnership with the Compagnia di San Paolo. Its creation is in response to the growing demand for knowledge of and intervention in the urban and regional environment. The fields of study are: the city and its surroundings, environment and landscape; development and innovation architecture and heritage, (financial backing: 23 million Euros). Experimental Research Keeping the university at the forefront of experimental research is a real challenge. In the year 2000 the university began a programme involving the creation of a network of High Quality Experimental Laboratories (LAQ) financed by internal 97

8 investments amounting to around 26 million Euros over 7 years, as well as external sponsorship. Examination of projects for approval is given by guarantors external to the Politecnico, based on an international referee system. This programme was designed to breathe new life into the culture of polytechnic experimentation, working in synergy with European and national programmes. Another aim was that of improving university facilities for theoretical and impartial applied research. This means that doctorate students and young research scientists can learn how to go about doing their research in laboratories which are state of the art. Figures The Politecnico has almost 25,000 students studying on 116 courses (38 3-year degree courses; 32 5-year degrees; 34 degrees at post-graduate level and 6 masters courses). In the academic year the Politecnico had over 4,000 students in the first year, 2,240 graduates in the 5-year degree and 1,000 graduates in the 3-year degree. Each year, between lectures, laboratories and practical exercises there are 170,000 hours of teaching. There is a staff of 864 lecturers and researchers, and 800 administration staff. There are 6 Schools, 18 Departments and 7 Interdepartmental Centres. The income in the 2003 forecast balance is 230 million Euros (in 1990 the figure was 52 million). The Ministero dell Istruzione Università e Ricerca or M.I.U.R. (Ministry for Universities Education and Research) contributes 106 million Euros - 87 million Euros are the Fondo di Finanziamento Ordinario (Ordinary Finance Fund). Contributions and financial backing from public and private institutions come to 31.6 million Euros. Of these funds, 6.6 million Euros come from the European Union funds for research and training. Income from services rendered by the Politecnico comes to 11.5 million Euros. Students fees bring in over 18 million Euros. Other comes to around 63 million Euros: over 40 million Euros for the new teaching centre in construction. Personnel costs are about 44% of the total amount of spending. Politecnico of Torino: FACULTIES I Facoltà di Architettura II Facoltà di Architettura -Architettura & Ambiente I Facoltà di Ingegneria II Facoltà di Ingegneria III Facoltà di Ingegneria - Ingegneria dell'informazione IV Facoltà di Ingegneria - Organizzazione d'impresa e Ingegneria Gestionale Scuola di Dottorato post-lauream/scudo/ Updated on 12/12/2003 We would like to thank Prof Carlo Naldi and Prof Paolo Camurati from Politecnico di Torino who kindly provided this presentation. 98