Di Stefano: ‘Business and education: a strong and lasting partnership’

And what about the link between universities and ITS? 

Together with CRUI, and following the agreement signed with INDIRE and ITS Italy, we are exploring links between ITS programmes and degree courses, with mutual recognition of credits and the piloting of jointly designed pathways, including apprenticeships; the sharing of laboratories; joint careers guidance and, for example, the appointment of young researchers and PhD students as lecturers at ITS institutions. Data and models show that universities can help ITS institutions to grow, just as ITS institutions can play a decisive role in fulfilling universities’ third mission, and we are working precisely to find concrete, system-wide solutions. We are lagging behind the rest of Europe and must forge every possible alliance; this is why we are delighted with the excellent dialogue between CRUI and Confindustria, a strategic partnership that benefits businesses.

The mismatch remains a cause for concern. Is this why we are also looking abroad? 

The skills mismatch is also exacerbated by the demographic winter, but this is a concern for which decisive and multifaceted solutions are being developed, ranging from the 4+2 programme to university-business partnerships. The 4+2 scheme is the most far-reaching reform in the field of education in recent years, and this is recognised across Europe too; indeed, we will be discussing it in greater depth with Minister Valditara and EU leaders in November at the European Parliament in Brussels; Similarly, in Italian universities, the focus on STEM subjects is yielding positive results, with an increase in enrolments in engineering and computer science, whilst we are climbing the international rankings. It is precisely beyond our borders that the main prospects for the ‘4+2’ model are evident: we must continue the major investment in internationalisation launched through the NRRP, which is enabling us to establish fully-fledged ITS campuses in Egypt, Tunisia and Ethiopia – and then, who knows, perhaps even in Argentina, where human capital will be one of the key themes of Confindustria’s Mercosur mission. In universities, meanwhile, through ‘Italia chiama India’, we are profiling the more than 4,000 Indian students studying in Italy – particularly in STEM subjects – to support their development and encourage them to stay here after their studies. It is the first project of its kind and could be extended to other target countries. The aim is to attract and retain young talent. And here, Italia is playing its ‘World Cup’ of education to great effect, whilst also being able to count on the support of a housing scheme offering homes at affordable prices.

Is a strong public-private partnership the challenge for the autumn?

This is the crucial challenge facing us as early as this summer. And thanks to the NRRP, we have established a framework, a common language and clear boundaries. Businesses have proven themselves to be a reliable partner for the education system, and we will continue to play our part in the future. Tomorrow’s event, with the CRUI here in our ‘home’, will be further proof that we are a system that functions as a system.