In the spirit of continuity and reflection on the future, the thirtieth Dies academicus of theUniversity of Svizzera Italiana It took place on April 25th in Lugano, in the Aula Magna of the West Campus, marking a symbolic milestone for an institution now consolidated in the Swiss academic landscape.
The ceremony brought together institutional representatives, academics, and guests, offering an opportunity to take stock of the first three decades of activity and to reflect on the transformations currently affecting the university world. At the heart of the ceremony was the very meaning of the Dies academicus, a moment traditionally dedicated not only to celebration but also to critical reflection on the role of the university.
A university that has grown locally but is open to the whole world
The speeches were opened by Monica Duke Widmer, President of the University Council, who retraced the university's evolution since its founding. A path marked by progressive expansion and increasing complexity, paralleled by the entire Swiss university system.
In his speech, he highlighted how USI today represents a strategic infrastructure for the Canton of Ticino, capable of combining an international dimension with local roots. He also addressed current challenges, particularly in terms of resources, with the need for targeted decisions to ensure quality and attractiveness over the long term.
Between financial constraints and new responsibilities
The context in which the university operates today was highlighted by the State Councilor Marina Carobbio ShellsHis speech highlighted the institutional transition phase and the prospects for public spending containment, which will also affect the academic sector.
Despite financial constraints, education and research remain, according to Carobbio Guscetti, central elements for the region's development. Ample space was also devoted to the impact of artificial intelligence, with a focus on the role of universities in fostering critical thinking and building shared ethical reflection.
Rethinking the meaning of university
In his speech, the interim rector Gabriele Balbi He proposed a broader understanding of the concept of university, intertwining historical dimensions and future perspectives. USI's growth, he observed, is measured not only in numbers but also in its ability to build an academic community.
Balbi emphasized three key areas: the need for a shared vision, the role of the university as a forum for exchanging ideas, and the importance of a sense of belonging. In a context marked by rapid technological transformation, these dimensions appear increasingly crucial, according to the rector.
The debate: being a university today
The reflection then extended to the round table "Being a university today", moderated by Raphael ParchetThe comparison was attended by Deniz Gyger Gaspoz e Günther Disserters, offering different but converging perspectives on the need to adapt academic institutions to a rapidly changing global context.
The debate touched on topics such as international competitiveness, the sustainability of university models, and the relationship with society, confirming the Dies academicus as a privileged space for discussion.
Awards and awards
As per tradition, the ceremony included the awarding of numerous honors. The honorary doctorate was awarded to Micaela Serafini, active in humanitarian contexts and today at the helm of Doctors Without Borders Switzerland.
Recognition was also given for the quality of teaching, with the Best Teaching Award going to Luca Massimiliano Visconti and Gabriele Bavota, and for professional development, with the Alumni Award going to Fabio Bossi. The Sustainability Award went to Ludovico Giacomo Conti.
Honorary appointments include those of Marisa Garzoni and, in memoriam, of Mauro Martinoni, a key figure in the founding of the university. USI medals were also awarded to the first deans, Pietro Balestra, Aurelio Galfetti, and Eddo Rigotti.
Art, music and dialogue between disciplines
Alongside the institutional interventions, the Dies academicus maintained its cultural dimension thanks to artistic and musical contributions. Among these, readings inspired by the inaugural address by Umberto Eco for the 25 years of the Magna Carta Universitatum.
The foyer of the Aula Magna also features the exhibition "Art and Science, from Micro to Macro," created by Claudia Cantoni and Ester Piovesana. The exhibition proposes a dialogue between scientific images and artistic languages, exploring the microscopic world of cells and neurons, and will remain open until May 15th.
An anniversary that looks forward
USI's thirtieth Dies academicus thus concludes with a look that combines memory and perspective. While the anniversary offers an opportunity to consolidate an identity built over time, it also calls for the need to redefine the university's role in a society undergoing profound transformation.
The challenge of the coming years lies in this balance between roots and change: maintaining the university's critical and educational role, while strengthening its ability to impact the local and international context.
