THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: NORMALE AND SANT’ANNA TAKE POLE POSITION IN THE LIST OF 180 AWARDEES. THE RECTORS OF TWO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: “A RECOGNITION OF OUR RESEARCH
The Scuola Normale Superiore and the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies have been recognized for their contribution to the advancement of students and academic institutions by achieving international standing in the fields of research and providing high-quality advanced education and training. The Ministry of Education, Universities and Research will provide additional funding up to 271 million for 180 centers of excellence over the period of four years (2018 – 2022).
Reflecting the results of the National VQR (Evaluation of Research Quality conducted by the ANVUR, Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research), Scuola Normale and Sant’Anna School have developed a multi-disciplinary approach and effective strategy for reaching their goals. All their departments (Normale - Scienze matematiche e naturali and Scienze umane; Sant’Anna - Scienze sociali and Scienze sperimentali) increased their academic capability performing leading national and international research and teaching expertise. The Ministry of Education additional funds are awarded on a competitive basis: they will provide additional 5 million euros a year to support research areas that need to be strengthened and to help facilitate effective interactions.
“The VQR results have confirmed Normale and Sant’Anna’s research excellence and teaching expertise. These results place our departments in the research and teaching quality ranking of the Italian universities, including the non-specialist institutions. The VQR provides a thorough assessment of the quality of universities’ research in all disciplines and all our departments have performed outstandingly well. We can now announce that our additional funds will enable faculty to deliver tangible outcomes that advance our scholarly reputation and stature. These results put us in a strong position to continue to deliver leading research and perform joint strategic initiatives. Our universities’ strength lies in the special combination of talented and dedicated people working in a collaborative and collegial environment. We are now committed to undertake highly innovative joint research” - said the two Rectors, Vincenzo Barone (Scuola Normale) and Pierdomenico Perata (Sant’Anna School).
“The VQR results further enhanced our reputation as leading Universities. I believe that reputation is well-deserved and it would be wrong to overestimate the value of compensation to non-specialist universities. This additional funding is very promising for the further development of the faculty recruitment and retention and we can confirm our commitment towards our common goal of being the best university in the country, making a real difference to our wider community” - said Vincenzo Barone and Pierdomenico Perata.
