The interview

"Mission accomplished at Luiss, goals achieved"

Luigi Gubitosi, president of the University of Rome, announces that he will leave office after the closure of the 2024 accounts. 'Solid economic results, more innovative and strong in international rankings'

20 December 2024

Luigi Gubitosi, alla presidenza dell’Università Luiss Guido Carli da ottobre 2023

4' min read

A university that has achieved top positions in international rankings, initiated new collaborations with the world's most prestigious university institutions, and increased investment in the academy. Not only that: it has modernised and expanded services, revised governance, and increased efficiency, with a 2024 income statement that will close with the best net result ever.

Many are the achievements of Luiss President Luigi Gubitosi. Mission accomplished, then? "Yes, mission accomplished, absolutely. And I am pleased to say that it took less time than originally agreed at the beginning of my mandate'. Luiss has added to an intense and diversified managerial career: Gubitosi was 20 years at Fiat, with the role of Cfo, he was ceo of Wind, then at BofA Merryl Lynch, general director of Rai and Alitalia (he was extraordinary commissioner), ad of Tim from 2018 to 2021. Then the presidency of Luiss, the university of Confindustria, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country.

Let's take a step back: you arrived at Luiss just over a year ago. How did it go?

It was in October 2023, at a complex time for the university. I was asked, given Carlo Bonomi's incapacity, to take over the presidency and lead the university to more stable shores.

In what sense? .

In 2023, Luiss recorded a positive result of about EUR 1 million, thanks to the release of funds in the budget, otherwise it would have closed the year with a loss. Then there was the important appointment of the change of rector, because the previous one had reached the end of his term, the formulation of the new strategic plan that would map out the university's direction for the next four years, and finally the governance of the university.

What was the focus of your action?

To quote a well-known former Roma coach, we have 'put the church back in the centre of the village', i.e. increased attention and investment in the academy. Today Luiss is in excellent shape academically, it has reached the best positions in its history in the international rankings, we have new collaborations with prestigious universities around the world. In the next four years, a strong strengthening of the faculty is planned, with the entry of new international lecturers.

Are there sufficient resources to support this plan?

Yes. The year 2024 will end with the best net result in history, with a positive year-on-year increase of around EUR 16 million out of 160 in revenues. The university is non-profit, but solid financial results allow us to reinvest even more in growth, academia, and student services.

What does your plan include?

It was unanimously approved at the board meeting on 12 December. It proposes to transform the university by working on four fundamental dimensions: academic excellence, technology and digital, business model and diversification of revenue sources, modernisation and expansion of residential and sports facilities.

On governance?

An internal audit function reporting directly to the president and the board of directors was created, the composition and function of the supervisory board was revised, and numerous processes and procedures of the university were redefined, increasing efficiency and functioning mechanisms.

What are the main innovations affecting the university?

Luiss has strongly innovated its educational offer, encouraging the acquisition of artificial intelligence skills. The appointment of a Pro-rector for AI and digital skills goes in this direction. We were among the first in Italy to have established this figure. From this year, then, an 'AI Literacy' certificate has been introduced, compulsory for students of master's degrees, with the aim of extending it to everyone in the future. Another ambitious project is the launch of the 'AI4Society' Research Centre, which aspires to become an international and interdisciplinary reference point for the development of responsible technologies.

The Luiss University aims to have more relations and a greater role at international level: what has been achieved?

Internationalisation is part of the Luiss DNA, we have invested a lot in recent years. In 2024 we hosted four Nobel Prize winners and in the recent inauguration of the academic year we had James Manyika of Google as a guest. Today there are 360 universities collaborating with Luiss in 73 countries, with 69 double or triple degree programmes and structured partnerships. A new Double Degree in Social Sciences with Science Po, to cite a recent example, has just started.

What does he think the role of Luiss should be?

Luiss has always played a bridging role between the academic and professional worlds. Our students are increasingly in demand by companies and the employment rate one year after graduation is 96 per cent. Moreover, a fundamental aspect of the Luiss mission is to train the managerial class of the future, not only for the business world, but also at the service of the country. The university has 200 graduates among its diplomats in service, around 20 per cent of the total, and the trend is growing.

The university is named after Guido Carli, who was president of Confindustria as well as Luiss. Now Emanuele Orsini is at the helm: is there harmony?

Luiss has a natural and solid relationship with Confindustria and the business system. Relations with Emanuele Orsini have been excellent for a long time, well before he became president of Confindustria. Just as they are very good with several people in his team. I would like to thank him for his positive words towards the work done in recent months.

Mission accomplished, then...

Yes, absolutely, and I am pleased to point out that it took less time than agreed at the beginning of my term of office. Objectives were met and results were fully achieved. For these reasons I will step down as president after the closure of the 2024 accounts.

Will a past president return? Will it be Giorgio Fossa as it seems from rumours?

The decision, of course, lies with Confindustria. I know Giorgio Fossa well, since we worked together, he as chairman of Sole 24 Ore, I as advisor and chairman of the risk and audit committee. I hold him in high esteem, he would do an excellent job, restoring the tradition that wants a past president of Confindustria in the role of Luiss president.