University of Pavia

History

An edict issued by the Frankish king of Italy Lothar I (ruled 818-55) mentions the existence of a higher education institution at Pavia as early as AD 825. This institution, mainly devoted to ecclesiastical and civil law as well as to divinity studies, was then selected as the prime educational centre for northern Italy. Officially established as a studium generale by the Holy Roman emperor Charles IV (r. 1355-78) in 1361, the institution was enlarged and renovated by the duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti (ruled 1385-1402), becoming the sole university in the Duchy of Milan until the end of 19th century.

In 1858, the University was the scene of intense student protests against Austrian rule in northern Italy (through the puppet kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia). The authorities responded by ordering the university's temporary closure. The incidents at Pavia were typical of the wave of nationalist demonstrations all over Italy that immediately preceded the Unification (1859–66).

During the following centuries, through periods of both adversity and prosperity, the fame of the University of Pavia grew over the last years due to the large number of applicants.

Throughout its history, the university has benefited from the presence of many learned men and distinguished scientists who wrote celebrated works and made important discoveries: mathematician Girolamo Cardano (born in Pavia, 1501–76), physicist Alessandro Volta (Pavia chair of natural philosophy 1769-1804), poet Ugo Foscolo (chair of Italian eloquence 1809-10). Three Nobel Prize winners also taught in Pavia: physician Camillo Golgi (at Pavia from 1861), chemist Giulio Natta (at Pavia between 1933 and 1935) and Carlo Rubbia.

Also critical to the university's reputation was its distinguished record of public education, epitomised by the establishment of 5 private and public colleges. The oldest colleges, the Collegio Borromeo and Collegio Ghislieri, were built in the 16th century, and in more recent times others were founded through both public and private initiatives: the Nuovo College, the Santa Caterina College and other eleven colleges EDiSU. In 1997 the IUSS, was established, a Higher Learning Institution (in Italian, "Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori") analogous to the Scuola Normale Superiore and Istituto Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa. The IUSS is the federal body that links the 5 colleges of Pavia which constitute the Pavia University System.

Today, the University continues to offer a wide variety of disciplinary and inter-disciplinary teaching. Research is carried out in departments, institutes, clinics, centres and laboratories, in close association with public and private institutions, enterprises, and factories.

Organization

The university has eighteen departments:

Teaching languages

1. Six-year degree in Medicine and Surgery
2. Master's degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG)
3. Master's degree in Electronic engineering
4. Master's degree in Computer engineering
5. Master's degree in Industrial Automation Engineering
6. Master's degree in International Business and Economics (MIBE)
7. Master's degree in Economics, Finance and International Integration (MEFI)
8. Master's degree in World Politics and International Relations

Notable alumni and academics

Honorary degrees

Medaglia teresiana

The Medaglia teresiana is an academic recognition that establishes the entry of a professor in the University of Pavia. This award can also be conferred by the Rector of the University of Pavia to people who are particularly distinguished, traditionally hosted at the inauguration of the academic year or the day of the graduates:

Points of interest