Guide for Foreign Universities
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Guide for foreign Universities ECTS Information Package Academic year 2014-2015 1 2 WELCOME OF THE RECTOR Dear international students and In order to ease your integration into professors, academic and cultural life in Catania, this guide provides you with a general Thank you for choosing the University description of the university, and gives of Catania as your host university. practical advice to be used before I am honored to welcome you to the leaving your own country, and some Siculorum Gymnasium. I hope you information that might be useful at your will enjoy your stay at our university, arrival in Catania. Further on, you will to achieve educational growth and find information on academic course, formative experience in our town, rich as well as a presentation of in history and tradition. university facilities, accommodation The University of Catania is a public services and practical addresses of interest institution with a strong and ever that will enhance your experience here. growing international orientation and Moreover, through the last section, you community. Our main goal is to provide may discover Catania, a town that has international students with a stimulating learning environment, and to offer them always played an active role in The Rector’s Profile an international dimension based on promoting cooperation and cultural Prof. Giacomo Pignataro was born excellence and innovation, both key exchanges for centuries, in the in Caltagirone on 23rd February elements of the educational Mediterranean Area and in Europe. 1963, full professor of Public experience. May your stay here be stimulating, Finance. He graduated in Business and Economics in 1986. He earned This guide is designed to help pleasant and fruitful. A warm welcome a Master Degree in Economics and, international students and professors to all of you. subsequently, a Ph.D. in Economics who spend a period in Catania, taking from the University of York, part in stimulating learning programs Prof. Giacomo Pignataro England (UK). Since 2002 he and exchanging cultural experiences. Rector of the University of Catania has been Full Professor of Public Finance. Since 13th March 2013 he is the new Rector Magnificus of the University of Catania. 3 CONTENTS 1 University of Catania - VISA - European Documentation Centre - A Brief Historical Background - Residence Permit - Libraries and Documentation Centre - Facts and Figures - Fiscal Code - Center for Computer Systems, - Governance and Management - Insurance Applications Research and Teaching - Delegates of the Rector - Medical Assistance - Design, Development and Building - Departments and Schools - Accomodations Maintenance Area - European Policy Strategy - Consulates - Accomodation and Meals - Italian Language Courses - University Sport Centre - Administrative Procedures - Students Associations Studying at the University of Catania 2 - Italian Higher Education System - ECTS System 4 Partnerships City of Catania - Enrolment Procedures - Erasmus Agreements 6 - General Information - Memorandum of Understanding - Catania at a Glance - Educational Offer and International Cooperation - How to get to Catania - Further Studies Agreements - Living in Catania - Professional Qualifications and - Useful Numbers State Exams - Educational Offer in English 5 Facilities - Useful University Contacts - Career Guidance and Vocational 3 Practical Information for Exchange Centre Students and Professors - Centre for Disability - International Relations Office - Multimedial Languages Centre 4 5 1 University of Catania 6 Contents An Institution in Continuous A Brief Development The foundation of the University of Battista Vaccarini, is a magnificent Catania, the oldest in Sicily, dates monument of Baroque architecture. Historical back to 1434, when the king of Spain, The University of Catania was not only Alfonso of Aragon (who was also King structurally powerful. It also held the Background Alfonso I of Sicily) authorized the exclusive right by Royal Decree to establishment of a Studium Generale grant degrees within the Reign of Sicily. with the privilege of issuing legally valid Although the hierarchical power of academic titles in the four core the university was in the hands of the disciplines of theology, canon and civil Church, the Rector, an elected student law, physical and joint philosophy, in his/her last year of studies, had liberal arts. In 1444, the first four the power to put students on trial. 25 faculties of Medicine, Philosophy, Chimes of the Cathedral bell marked Canonic and Civil Law and Theology the beginning of the academic year. and Arts were established. Students Throughout the year, a porter began to attend classes in 1445, marked daily any professor absence. however it was not until two centuries The figures were then taken to a notary later that the university gained its own who subtracted a day’s wages from their establishment in Piazza Università. pay. At the end of his studies, a student It still stands in the piazza today, in the was awarded his degree in the Cathedral former grounds of St. Mark’s hospital. as well as a gold ring and a blessing The building was completely destroyed from the Archbishop. by an earthquake in 1693 and students Although this ceremony and many other were left without a place to continue traditions have fallen into disuse, the their study. In the interim period, before academic structure of the university is it was rebuilt, the resourceful students, still as strong today as it was in the first unperturbed by such events and endowed half of the 15th century when it started with infinite determination, transferred out with just ten students. classes to wooden huts by the harbour. 1 University of Catania The new building, designed by Giovan 7 The University Today Today the university buildings are Students have the opportunity to spread throughout the city, with a contrast commence their university career between the modern, hi-tech alongside the very best. The University “University City”, and numerous of Catania is also attractive for those historical buildings in the old city companies interested in transferring the centre. It offers an attractive portfolio technology generated from university of academic titles and is committed in departments and research centers. the creation of a “laboratory” where the ancient Mediterranean culture meets the new technologies, in order to offer advanced training experience. Students wishing to take an undergraduate degree will find our university to be a high quality educational institution, with degrees specifically aimed at the labour market, which prepare effectively for further studies. Excellent departments, schools and support services are offered throughout all of our university sites in Catania, Syracuse and Ragusa. Here, students may also discover a culturally dynamic environment suitable for growing as students and individuals as well. Those who are considering taking post graduate, masters or doctorate studies can choose among a wide range of academic fields, developed by internationally recognized research groups. 8 Contents Learn about our programs, people, Facts innovations and campus through facts and figures and Figures Educational and Research Structures 18 Departments 15 Research Center 1 Schools 3 Didactic Units Educational Programs 42 Undergraduate 1st Level Courses 7 One-Cycle Courses 50 Undergraduate 2nd Level Courses 21 Masters 63 Ph.D. Courses XXVIII - XXIX - XXX- Cycle 26 National Ph.D. Courses 37 International Ph.D. Courses Students Useful Information 53.873 Students enrolled a. y. 2012/2013 Name: University of Catania 6.715 Graduated a. y. 2012/2013 Address: Piazza Università, 2 (latest survey available) I-95131 Catania Erasmus ID code: I CATANIA 01 Staff Erasmus charter: 29276-LA-1-2014- 379 Full Professors 1-IT-E4AKA1-ECHE 373 Associate Professors 578 Researchers E-mail: [email protected] 1.198 Non-academic staff Website: www.unict.it/en Facebook: universitadeglistudicatania 9 The governing bodies of the University The Rector is the legal representative of of Catania are the Rector, the Academic the university and is the guarantor for Senate, the Board of Directors, the the respect of laws, freedom of research Board of Auditors, the Evaluation Unit, and teaching, staff and students’ rights. the Director General, who shall exercise He is elected among full professors in the powers laid down by the laws of the service in Italian universities, is in charge Republic, by the University Statute for six years and is not re-eligible. and by executive regulations. The Academic Senate is established by Rector a Rector’s decree and is composed of: Prof. Giacomo Pignataro - Rector; Department of Economics and Business - 14 full professors, representatives of The rector is assisted in his duties by the scientific-disciplinary areas of the the Vice-Rector and various delegates. University of Catania; - 13 representatives of heads of Vice-Rector departments; Prof. Alessandra Gentile - 5 students’ representatives; Department of Agriculture and Food - 2 representatives of the administrative Science staff. The Administrative Board is established by a Rector’s decree and is composed of: - Rector; - 3 external members (not belonging to the roles of the university); - 5 full professors belonging to the Governance teaching body of the University of Catania; and Management - 2 students’ representatives. 10 Contents Delegates Prof. Bianca Maria Lombardo Prof. Stefania Stefani Education: Undergraduates Research of the Rector Prof. Vincenzo