Research and territory: two keywords for USI

Luisa Lambertini, Rector of Università della Svizzera italiana, presented the "UniVerso" open day to the public at a press conference on Tuesday, 29 April. In an interview published in Corriere del Ticino, she also took the opportunity to recall the link between USI and its host region.

In its first thirty years, as Luisa Lambertini noted, USI has developed into a vibrant and international community: "We have developed the three characteristic missions of universities, offering teaching courses at all levels, conducting scientific research projects, and engaging in knowledge transfer and innovation activities. Currently, we have over 4,500 students, attract 30 million in competitive research funding each year, and boast 14,000 alumni worldwide. Additionally, we are incubating 15 start-ups and hold several dozen patents. Over the years, USI has expanded its presence in the region with campuses in Lugano, Mendrisio, and Bellinzona, as well as branches in Locarno, Cadro, and Airolo, thereby strengthening its ties with the Canton."

Through the efforts of professors and researchers at USI, the university aims to make a tangible contribution to the improvement of the region: "By pursuing our three missions, we contribute to the training of qualified human capital, enhance the region's competitiveness, and foster progress and dialogue between science and society. We tackle local challenges such as brain drain, sustainability, an ageing population, and a shortage of doctors, among others. Additionally, we address significant global issues by conducting advanced research and developing innovations that have worldwide applications," explained USI's Rector.

At present, we are observing a decline in the perceived importance of universities overall: "We are observing a concerning trend: the undervaluation of university education and research. I believe this is largely due to a short-sighted perspective that fails to recognise the often medium-term benefits of investing in these areas. While there is understandable pressure on public budgets, we must respond firmly: universities, research, and innovation are not expenses but investments. At the Swiss level, an official stance was published in February by swissuniversities, the Academies of Sciences, the Board of Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, the Swiss National Science Foundation and Innosuisse: they warned that reducing investment in research and innovation promotion would significantly harm the Swiss economy. Their analysis suggested that every franc saved in this area could lead to an economic loss of up to five francs. Beyond the figures, I would like to emphasise another role that is underestimated, but important in this age when everything is being relativised: the opinion of science should not be viewed as just "one voice among many," as some may suggest. Its value lies in the use of shared and replicable methodologies. The scientific method ensures that the knowledge produced by universities is both reliable and widely accepted. In an era characterised by disinformation and relativism, it is essential to reaffirm the importance of the scientific method in public discourse," Lambertini stressed.

Contrary to what recent funding cuts might lead one to believe, the university remains a "pathway to the future", as the Rector of USI reminded us: "Education, research and knowledge transfer are fundamental tools for meeting the challenges that await us. Think of issues such as informatics security and data sovereignty, privacy, technological and digital transition, and sustainability; all topics in which USI is at the forefront. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the resulting transformation of the workforce, universities have a crucial responsibility. They must prepare new graduates not only to use these technologies but also to manage them effectively. This includes understanding their ethical and social implications and developing the critical and interdisciplinary skills that will be essential in any future scenario."

In the current climate of uncertainty, which is further influenced by the "post-Trump re-election" effect, as noted by Rector Luisa Lambertini, universities need to continue fulfilling their role while preserving their autonomy.

With UniVerso, the university aims to connect with the community, inviting everyone to understand what the university is about: "Our aim with this day is for a message to emerge forcefully: USI belongs to the entire region, and what we do in research and education concerns everyone's life, is relevant and close to people. With over 200 public events each year, USI is already a hub for community engagement, offering diverse activities to foster dialogue between science and society."

The complete interview with Rector Luisa Lambertini, published by Corriere del Ticino, is available at the following link. (Italian only)