Università degli Studi di Parma (Italy)
The University of Parma is a State University. As such, it is self-governing and has administrative, organisational and accountancy autonomy and provides public services.
The centuries-old history of university education in Parma is documented in a "Diploma", dated 13th March 962, conferred on the Bishop of Parma Uberto by Emperor Ottonian I, which granted the Bishop the power to order and elect legal figures ("eligere et ordinare notarios"'). The document is still preserved in the Bishop's Archives in Parma.
From the Middle Ages to the present days, the history of the University of Parma has developed over the centuries and the University currently includes ten faculties (Agriculture, Architecture, Economics, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Maths Physics and Natural Science, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Political Science, Psychology, Veterinary Medicine as well as inter-faculty courses in Medical, Veterinary and Paharmaceutical Biotechnologies). In all of them it offers instruction for 42 three-year degree courses, 6 one-cycle degree courses, 42 two-year Postgraduate Teacher Training courses, 33 Masters, 46 PhD’s, and 49 Specialisation courses.
The size of the University of Parma (30,000 students, with more than 5,000 graduates per year, 1.100 lecturers, and 1000 technical and administrative employees), and the living conditions in Parma attract a large number of students from all over Italy. More than two-thirds of registered students come from outside Parma and the Parma Province, which awards the University of Parma the first place nationwide when it comes to its capacity to attract non-resident students.
The University various campuses allow students to study in comfortable, efficient structures, near green areas. The University’s strong points include the Campus in Via Langhirano, a 77-hectare area in the south of the city that accommodates the 5 scientific faculties (Agriculture, Architecture, Pharmacy, Engineering, Sciences), 10 departments, modern and well-equipped lecture halls, comfortable study areas, technologically advanced laboratories, and a CNR centre, as well as several sports facilities, a conference centre, and a canteen. This significant combination of structures and people is absolutely unique on the Italian university scene.
In the heart of the city, the University’s central building houses the rector’s office, administrative offices and the Law Faculty. The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is located in the city Hospital, while the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Political Sciences are next to the Parco Ducale and the Faculties of Arts and Philosophy and Psychology have their campuses in the old city centre. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is located in the immediate north-western outskirts of the city.
The University of Parma activities and facilities attract the participation of an ever-growing number of students and include the information and career counselling services to help students with their university-related choices, good relations are maintained with foreign universities, and there is a lively exchange of students in terms of community programmes, and there are many scholarships available. Then there are the libraries, several computer laboratories and Internet access points, student residences and canteens, the possibility of part-time jobs, cultural activities, a toll-free number, and an information and careers counselling service both before and after graduating, to choose the best course of studies. Seminars, interviews, and short courses are held to help graduates to find jobs.
Many facilities are available to the students to enhance the quality of their studies and university life. Some of these are the free e-mail service, ad hoc services for disabled students, language courses at the Foreign Language Centre, and many opportunities for sport, run by the University of Parma CUS, with courses in all disciplines in a host of structures - swimming pool, athletics track, tennis courts, football pitches, golf yard, basketball courts, rugby pitches, etc.
The University of Parma website (http://www.unipr.it/) is constantly updated and has a high number of visitors (more than 30,000 accesses per day), it offers students the ideal interface for communicating with the University and receiving a lot of information. Students can also sign up for exams via the Internet, download administrative forms, or access personal e-mail supplied to each student by the University, thus creating a fast, accurate channel of communication.
The faculties
Rector
Prof. Gino Ferretti, Via Università, 12, Tel. 0521/034200/1 - Fax 034357
Faculty of Agriculture
Dean: Prof. Erasmo Neviani, Student registry office: v.le G.P. Usberti 23, University Campus, Tel. 0521/905127 - Fax 906037
Faculty of Architecture
Dean: Prof. Ivo Iori, Student registry office: v.le G.P. Usberti, 23 University Campus, Tel. 0521/906050 - Fax 906051
Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
Dean: Prof. Roberto Greci, Student registry office: Via D’Azeglio 85, Tel. 0521/032318- Fax 032322
Faculty of Economics
Dean: Prof. Gian Pietro Lugli, Student registry office: via D’Azeglio 85, Tel. 0521/032378 - Fax 032227
Faculty of Engineering
Dean: Prof. Antonio Montepara, Student registry office: v.le G.P. Usberti 23, University Campus, Tel. 0521/905110 - Fax 906051
Faculty of Law
Dean: Prof.ssa Laura Pineschi, Student registry office: p.le Barezzi 3, Tel. 0521/034054 - Fax 034000
Faculty of Mathematical, Physic and Natural Science
Dean: Prof. Gian Luigi Rossi, Student registry office: v.le G.P. Usberti 23, University Campus, Tel. 0521/032318 4047 - Fax 032322
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Dean: Prof. Loris Borghi, Student registry office: via Volturno 39, Tel. 0521/033700 - Fax 033707
Faculty of Pharmacy
Dean: Prof. Giancarlo Pelizzi, Student registry office: v.le G.P. Usberti 23, University Campus, Tel. 0521/905123 - Fax 905120
Faculty of Political Science
Coordinator: Alessandro Duce, Student registry office: via D’Azeglio 85, Tel. 0521/032377 - Fax 032227
Faculty of Psychology
Dean: Prof. Silvia Perini, Student registry office: via D’Azeglio 85, Tel. 0521/032319 - Fax 032322
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Dean: Prof. Attilio Corradi, Student registry office: via del Taglio, Tel. 0521/032604 - Fax 032606
Organization
Rector
This figure represents the University and supervises all its activities. The Rector is elected every four years and convenes and presides over the Academic Senate and the Board of Directors.
Pro-Rector Vicarious
Designated by the Rector to replace him when absent or unable to preside, the Pro-Rector Vicarious is a member of the Board of Directors and the Academic Senate.
Academic Senate
Composed of: the Rector, the Pro-Rector Vicarious, the Deans, the 6 Department Directors and 3 student body representatives. This body defines the fundamental lines along which the University develops its teaching and research activities.
Board of Directors
Composed of representatives of the academic staff and representatives of external organizations and institutions, this is the body in charge of general administration, financial affairs and property management.
Administrative Director
This figure supervises the administrative and accounting services. He participates in the Academic Senate with a consultation vote and is a member of the Board of Directors.
Central Administration
This body is divided into 6 management areas and 25 Sections.
