Army, controversy over course denied at the University of Bologna. Meloni: infringes his constitutional duties. What happened

An 'incomprehensible and gravely mistaken' act. This is how Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reopened the case on the decision taken by the Department of Philosophy of the University of Bologna to deny the activation of a course of study for young officers of the Italian Army. "This is not just an unacceptable choice, but a gesture detrimental - he adds - to the constitutional duties that underpin the University's autonomy. The University, as a centre of pluralism and confrontation, has a duty to welcome and enhance every path of cultural elevation, remaining totally foreign to ideological prejudices. This refusal implies a questioning of the very role of the armed forces, a fundamental garrison of the defence and security of the Republic, as envisaged by the Constitution'.

The controversy with the Academy over the refusal to activate a degree course in Philosophy for a selected group of young officers at the Modena Academy has therefore been reignited. For Meloni, 'enriching the training of officers with humanistic skills is a strategic factor that further qualifies the service they render to the State. It is precisely in this perspective of defence and strategic engagement, often in complex international contexts, that preparation cannot only be technical. Having personnel also trained in the humanities ensures that depth of analysis, vision and lateral thinking that is essential to meet the challenges entrusted to the armed forces. A comprehensive preparation is a guarantee of professionalism for the entire nation. I reiterate personally and on behalf of the Government my full and unconditional support for the Army and the Armed Forces, and I strongly condemn any attempt to isolate, delegitimise or put up ideological barriers to an institutional dialogue that is so fundamental to the national interest'.

General Masiello explained that the project aimed at 'offering new cultural perspectives and overcoming stereotypes', with a programme aimed at 10-15 Army soldiers. The initiative, according to Masiello, was intended to promote 'lateral thinking' and enrich the training of young graduates with humanistic skills. "I asked the University of Bologna to start a degree course. They did not want to,' said the general, specifying that the university had denied the proposal 'for fear of militarising the faculty: I was very disappointed'. The general called the episode "symptomatic of the times in which we live" and reiterated the need for greater awareness of the role of the armed forces in society and in the international context. "Our public opinion and especially young people must understand what the role of the armed forces is," he said.

For its part, the University of Bologna states that it has never 'denied' or 'refused' enrolment to any person. "As is the case with all Italian universities, anyone who meets the necessary requirements can freely enrol in the University's courses of study, including women and men in the armed forces. We would also like to remind you that the University of Bologna collaborates on an ongoing basis with the Modena Military Academy, for whose students, by virtue of specific agreements that have been in place for twenty years, places are reserved at the degree course in veterinary medicine," the University of Bologna announced in a note.

"The issue under discussion does not concern access to the courses, but rather a request for activation coming from the Academy, also by virtue of past collaborations, for a three-year course of studies in Philosophy structured exclusively for officer students only," it goes on to say. "The course envisaged a total of 180 CFUs, the carrying out of activities entirely on the Academy's premises, in accordance with its internal regulations, and a significant teaching requirement. The Academy was willing to bear the costs of the teaching contracts. The proposal was received by the Department of Philosophy, which was competent to preliminarily assess the didactic sustainability, the availability of lecturers, the coherence with the educational offer, and the set of resources required, which go well beyond the cost of any lecturing contracts. After a detailed internal discussion, the Department decided not to proceed, as things stood, with the decision on the activation of the new course. The University of Bologna, in full respect of the autonomy of the departments, communicated this decision to the top management of the Military Academy as early as last October, at the same time expressing its full willingness to engage in any future discussion'.