University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

[EduCativ]

UNIMORE has a longstanding tradition (founded in 1175) and is considered one of Italy's best universities for teaching and research. According to Italy's leading financial daily, it is ranked 2nd among public universities and among the top 8 medium-sized Italian universities by the Times Higher Education Ranking 2011-2012.
UNIMORE, which has just over 19,000 students, including 3,500 postgraduates, is large enough to offer all the facilities one would expect from a major university (well-stocked libraries, computer rooms, free internet connection, and study support services) but small enough to retain a personal and friendly learning environment.
UNIMORE comprises 14 Departments, offering a wide range of degree programs at the undergraduate level, right up to doctoral studies in most disciplinary areas, from the humanities and social sciences to engineering and technology, and from physical and natural to medicine and life sciences.
UNIMORE is located in the heart of one of Europe's wealthiest and most dynamic regions, which is world-renowned for its production of mechanical parts, engines, sports cars (e.g., Ferrari and Maserati) as well as for its agro-food sector, ceramic tiles, and manufacturing industries.
UNIMORE is located in two cities with the highest quality of living standards in Italy. Both Modena and Reggio Emilia are considered essential cities of art and culture, and Modena's cathedral and main square are on the list of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.
This section contains general information on the UNIMORE University of Modena and Reggio Emilia: history, governance, organization, departments and school, library, and museum facilities. It was established by the city of Modena, which financed professors' contracts through local taxation. The first to be invited to teach was Pillion da Medicina from Bologna. The School of Law (Studium iuris) was subsequently formed around him and made up the University's nucleus.
In the two centuries that followed, the Studium expanded from legal studies to include the training of notaries and the study of medicine. The subsequent history of the University was profoundly marked by the changing fortunes of the ruling Este family. Between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when the Court of Este settled in Ferrara, academic titles were no longer awarded, and the activities of the Studium were significantly reduced.
Only after the Court moved to Modena in 1772 did the University regain its original splendor and academic prestige, receiving an imperial charter from Duke Francis II. The University offered multiple disciplines, including Law, medicine and surgery, pharmacy, and mathematical, physical, and natural sciences.
The Department of Economics was established in 1968, followed by the Department of Engineering in 1989. The year 1998 was of fundamental importance in the University's history when the Reggio Emilia site was instituted, and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia was founded, with local institutions' support. A School of Law, proposed by the city, is mentioned as early as 1188. In 1532, Emperor Charles V granted the College of Judges the privilege of awarding diplomas and degrees in Law. Duke Alfonso II of Este established a Medical College in 1561, and ten years later, Emperor Maximilian II authorized the conferral of degrees in medicine. In the seventeenth century, a School of Letters was opened at the Seminary. In the following century, a Scholastic Theology chair was established along with schools of grammar and rhetoric. In 1752, the University of Reggio was inaugurated in Palazzo Busetti and consisted of four faculties: Law, Theology, Medicine, and Philosophy. However, its activities continued only until 1772, when, after the reform of Francis II, its right to grant degrees was taken away and given solely to the University of Modena.
The creation of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia not only combined the ancient traditions of the two cities into one institution but also gave a new and powerful boost to the development of the University, resulting in substantial growth of scientific and academic activities, which continues today.
The Department of Engineering and Agriculture was established in Reggio Emilia in 1998, followed in 1999 by the Department of Arts and Humanities in Modena. Subsequently, the University witnessed the birth of the Departments of Communication Studies and Education Studies in Reggio Emilia. At the same time, growth continued in Modena with the Department of Biosciences and Biotechnologies' institution.
The following prominent figures were professors at the University of Modena: the illustrious physiologist Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729-1799), Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714), hygienist and founder of occupational medicine Francesco Selmi (1817-1881), renowned chemist and pharmacologist Giulio Vassell (1862-1913) famous physiopathologist Giambattista Venturi (1746-1822), the first person to decipher the physico-mathematical works of Leonardo Giovan Battista Amici (1786-1863), a scholar of optics and biology Stefano Marianne (1790-1866), the favorite disciple of Alessandro Volta Paolo Ruffini (1765-1822), famous for his studies on algebra Bartolomeo Valdrighi (1739-1787), whose legal preparation was a determining factor in the reform of the University in the years 1772-1773.
UNIMORE is committed to high-quality research. It is ranked among the top 8 comprehensive universities in Italy for its high level of research, according to the most recent assessment of the Italian Ministerial Committee for the Evaluation of Research (CIVR).
Ongoing research is conducted by 21 university departments representing all the principal disciplines, by 11 integrated medical departments, and by numerous departmental and interdepartmental centers involved in specialized research activities. Many of them are nationally and internationally recognized.
The University's staff consists of approximately 880 professors, lecturers, and researchers.
UNIMORE is part of the High Technology Regional Network, involving all the Universities in the Emilia-Romagna Region. It offers cutting-edge technology transfer facilities in the sectors of mechanical engineering, mechatronics, advanced materials, ICT in business applications, and regenerative medicine.

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