Important changes approved by the University Council

The Council of the Università della Svizzera italiana, during its ordinary meeting on Friday, December 4th, has approved a series of important changes affecting the present and future of USI.

First, the Council has decided to introduce a new governance model for USI, with the separation of its strategic guidance from operational management, the two roles now under the responsibility of the USI President. The strategic guidance of USI will remain under the responsibility of the University Council, whereas the operations management will be entrusted to a Rector, to be appointed by public and international tender. The current USI President, Piero Martinoli, will stay in charge modus operandi until the appointment and assignment of the Rector, in any case no later than by December 31st, 2016. 

Second, Prof. Dr. med. Mario Bianchetti, former head of pediatrics at the regional hospitals in Bellinzona and Mendrisio, former medical chief at the Ospedale Regionale Bellinzona e Valli and former scientific director of the Cantonal Department of pediatrics (EOC), has been appointed first Dean of the new Faculty of Biomedical Sciences.

The University Council has also accepted the request for association presented by the Istituto di Ricerche Solari (IRSOL), joining therefore the network of research institutes related to the Università della Svizzera italiana.

With concerns to education, a new Master in Cyber Physical Systems has been established at the Faculty of Informatics, to be headed by Prof. Cesare Alippi from the Politecnico di Milano. Finally, Annegret Hannawa, until now Assistant professor of Health Communication at the Faculty of Communication Sciences, has been appointed Associate professor.