USI, a bridge that connects

Is USI a "guilded cage"?

An article by Omar Ravani, published in a past issue of Mattino della Domenica, raises several questions. It discusses the alleged danger posed by the English language and the risk of detachment from other national languages. It concludes with an invitation, almost a warning, to young people in Ticino to "study north of the Gotthard." But is this really what Southern Switzerland needs? I will present some facts and leave it up to the readers to form their own opinions.

USI was created to combat brain drain

USI brings university education, research, and innovation to Ticino, with all the positive effects of universities on the region. As such, USI is also a tangible response to a problem: the brain drain of young Ticino graduates. According to a 2024 study conducted by the Office of Statistics of the Canton of Ticino, approximately 90% of students who graduate from USI or SUPSI are likely to remain in Ticino five years after completing their studies. For those who study north of the Gotthard, this percentage drops to between 54% and 60%. Recognising USI and SUPSI as part of the solution to this problem is essential. It is important to consider the context, particularly that academic mobility is a notable characteristic of Switzerland. Many residents of Ticino choose to pursue their studies outside the Canton, either for personal reasons or because USI does not offer the full range of academic disciplines available elsewhere. Given the figures concerning brain drain, I believe it is positive that, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), USI was the most popular university among Ticino students in 2023, with 927 enrolments.

As State Councillor Giuseppe Buffi said thirty years ago: "The proposal for a university in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland is being put forward not despite the crisis, but rather because we are in crisis." USI was founded at a difficult time to invest in young people and the Canton's future. Today, in an equally complex environment, it is right to ask questions, but without weakening one of the resources that Ticino can count on to face the many challenges that lie ahead.

English is a skill

The article also mentions a "dangerous trend": the growing use of English by young people in Ticino. The author insinuates that USI is to blame for this. If that were the case, we wouldn't feel guilty; rather, we would see it as consistent with our mission. At USI, Bachelor's courses are taught in Italian to protect our culture and Swiss multilingualism. However, for Master's and PhD programs, it is essential to provide training that meets the demands of an increasingly globalised job market and aligns with the Bologna system, which encourages international student mobility. English has become the primary language in science, technology, medicine, diplomacy, and finance. Advanced courses are taught in English even in universities north of the Gotthard. At the same time, USI maintains a clear commitment to promoting the Italian language and Swiss multilingualism, with exchange programmes and collaborations that allow students to also engage with German and French. It remains true that, even today, proficiency in German and French is important in Switzerland.

USI is a university that trains aware, multilingual citizens ready to work in international organisations without giving up their cultural identity. It serves not as a cage but as a bridge, connecting Ticino to the rest of Switzerland and the world. USI is attentive to the needs of the job market, ensuring that the young people who choose us can participate successfully in their professional endeavours.

Luisa Lambertini, Rector of USI