Angelo Riccaboni, Rector of the University of Siena - Italy

Hong Kong, June 18th, 2015

Siena���and its University

University of Siena 1240���One of the oldest universities in the world

{ Siena is situated in the heart of Tuscany }

Hearth of Tuscany Region

Siena

Hearth of Tuscany Region

Hills and gullies Tuscan cypress trees

Olive groves Vineyards

This is the landscape offered by the territory around Siena

Siena opens its heart

“Cor Magis Tibi Sena Pandit” Siena opens its heart to you wider than this gate

Built on three steep hills and encircled by ancient walls, the medieval city of Siena welcomes its visitors at Porta Camollia entrance to the centre with a Latin motto

{ Over the centuries, Siena has had a rich tradition of arts and artists }

{ the historic centre of Siena is a Unesco World Heritage Site }

Siena – the city

Why Siena - history

The city’s history is characterized by a focus on rights and solidarity, as testified by the frescoes in the Town Hall and the Santa Maria della Scala Museum, the former hospital. Built along the pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome known as the Via Francigena, and situated opposite Siena’s Cathedral, Santa Maria della Scala was one of the first examples of hospital-cum-hostels in Europe, accommodating pilgrims and helping abandoned children and the poor, under its own independent and intricate organization.

The frescoes of the former hospital’s Sala del Pellegrinaio, for instance, realistically depict

the charitable works that characterized the day-to-day life of the hospital

{Santa Maria della Scala was one of the first examples of hospital-cum-hostels in Europe}

Why Siena Siena was the first city in the world to offer a

unique and exemplary portrayal of what Good Government can and should be

Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s frescoes in the Sala dei Nove, characterized by an original interpretation of the classical world and a fruitful relationship with the

ideologists of city republics of the 13th century, heralded the concept of citizenship that resulted in the civic humanism of the Renaissance

Ancient traditions

Siena is still deeply rooted in ancient traditions, chiefly the spectacular Palio, a horse race around the central piazza that takes place twice a year, in which the Seventeen Contrade (city zones) continue to celebrate the greatness of the ancient Sienese Republic

The University - Host Institution

Eight centuries of history The University of Siena has a rich history and a great knowledge-related tradition, as well a strong commitment to both research and innovation.��� In the eight centuries since its foundation, the University of Siena has generated knowledge in all fields of study, and today it continues to achieve some of the best results of all Italian universities for its research, teaching and services.

{ www.unisi.it }

The University

Foundation 1240

Department 15

Undergraduate programmes 32

Graduate programmes 28

Long single cycle degree programmes 5

Degree programmes taught entirely in English 10

Doctoral programmes 12

Third cycle specialization programmes 48

Special short programmes 92

Number of students in degree programmes +16.000

Number of students in doctoral programmes 405

Research and teaching staff 974

Technical and administrative staff 1013

{ facts and figures }

The University – Rankings and accreditations

According to the QS World University Ranking 2015, a leading institution in the field of international higher education information, the University of Siena ranked in the top 200 in Linguistic, and in the top 300 in Medicine.

According to the Censis Research Institute classification 2015, the University of Siena confirms its position as the best among the Italian Universities for structures, study grants, web site, internationalization.

The University of Siena’s strong points are its great ability to attract students and its high level of teaching and research, according to the classifications of the most influential Italian economic newspaper “Il Sole 24 Ore”. Siena also ranks 7th overall: 1st for study grants, 6th for attractiveness to students from other regions or abroad, and 5th for the quality of its PhD programmes.

{ national and international accreditations }

Degree courses taught in English

First Cycle Degree Courses (three-year programme)

•  Economics and Banking

Second Cycle Degree Courses (two-year programme)

•  Computer and Automation Engineering (CAE)

•  Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE)

•  Finance

•  Language and mind: linguistics and cognitive studies

•  Economics – specialization in Economics

•  International Studies – specialization in European Studies

•  Management and Governance – specialization in Accounting and Management

•  Medical Biotechnologies

•  Chemistry { academic year 2015-16 }

The University

The University

The University

SDSN Mediterranean

www.sdsnmediterranean.unisi.it (under construction) www.medsolutions.unisi.it (temporary site)

SDSN Mediterranean – Main Initiatives

“Plastic Busters” Project Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project Collaborative global initiative SDSN and IDDRI

Objective

• Improve understanding of transition paths that different countries can take to achieve a very low carbon economy

• Limit temperature rise to 2°C

Second SDSN Mediterranean conference

SDSN Mediterranean – Next Steps

August 27th, 2015

EXPO 2015 – Italian Pavillion

SDSN Mediterranean – EXPO 2015

SDSN Mediterranean – Next Steps

International Summer School Sustainability as Competitive Factor of Agri-food Business

Practices for competitiveness of MED business

October 2015

PRIMA

PRIMA - Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area

An integrated programme on food systems and water resources for the development of inclusive, sustainable and healthy Euro-Mediterranean societies. Based on the principles of: •  Mutual benefit •  Equal footing partnerships •  Co-ownership •  Co-decision •  Co-financing •  Excellence •  Added value

PRIMA

Main Aim

“To develop innovative solutions and promote their adoption for improving the efficiency and sustainability of food productions and water provision, in order to support an inclusive well-being and socio-economic development in the Mediterranean Area, within the framework of a reinforced Euro-Mediterranean co-operation”

Operational Goals

Conference venue

Virtual tour http://www.unisi.it/ateneo/comunicazione/virtual-tour/complesso-universitario-mattioli

Complesso universitario Mattioli Via P. A. Mattioli, 10 - Siena

International Sustainable Campus Network

Annual conference ISCN 2016 will be held in Siena

University of Siena / June 2016

Thank You for Your Attention!