Sustainability
USI actively promotes sustainability in its three dimensions – environmental, social, and economic – at both the research and teaching levels, as well as at the operational, logistical, and organizational levels.
Several projects, launched years ago or developed over time, demonstrate the academic institution’s serious and consistent commitment to a model of development that safeguards current generations without compromising the rights and opportunities of future generations:
- The project “SostA... verso un Ateneo sostenibile” initiated in 2009, promotes energy efficiency practices on campus and the adoption of sustainability criteria in daily management and procurement, while also raising awareness within the USI community.
- The Sustainability Commission, active within the Rectorate, draws on USI's diverse expertise to promote innovative, efficient, and shared solutions.
- The Pro-Rectorate for Sustainable Transformation and Equal Opportunities, an expression of USI’s commitment at the highest institutional levels.
- The House of Sustainability in Airolo, a place for education and the promotion of sustainable development culture located in the Alpine region, offering a unique setting to observe and engage firsthand with key sustainability issues.
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Pro-Rectorate for Sustainable Transformation and Equal Opportunities
The Pro-Rector for Sustainable Transformation and Equal Opportunities is responsible for promoting and coordinating initiatives and monitoring developments in the key areas of sustainability. Together with the Quality Assurance and Sustainability Service, the Pro-Rector addresses issues related to campus policies. The Pro-Rector promotes and coordinates teaching and research activities at the institutional level and supports Faculties and Institutes in identifying potential themes and synergies.
As of April 2024, Sonja Hildebrand, Full Professor of the History of Contemporary Architecture at the USI Academy of Architecture, member of the Council of the Institute of History and Theory of Art and Architecture at USI, and formerly Pro-Rector for Research in the Humanities and Equal Opportunities from January 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024, holds the position of Pro-Rector.
Sonja Hildebrand assumes the role as the first Pro-Rector for Sustainable Transformation.
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Quality Assurance and Sustainability Service
The USI Quality Assurance and Sustainability Service is tasked with promoting a culture of quality within the University and actively ensuring its implementation across various areas of application. The Quality Assurance and Sustainability Service serves as the primary reference point for the University's activities and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability.
These activities include:
- Supporting the “SostA… verso un Ateneo sostenibile” project, with the goal of continually enhancing the environmental, economic, and social responsibility of the University community;
- Coordinating meetings of the Sustainability Commission;
- Monitoring data and developments in the field of environmental sustainability;
- Preparing the Sustainability and Environmental Impact Report every two years.
Web page:
www.usi.ch/sostaContact:
[email protected] -
Equal Opportunities Service
The Equal Opportunities Service is the administrative unit responsible for the University's activities and initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of equity, transparency, and appreciation of the diversity within the USI community.
Specifically, the Service promotes:
- Measures that encourage respect for gender diversity at all levels and in all university bodies;
- Conditions that enable the reconciliation of family life with academic work and study;
- Special measures that support and encourage women who wish to pursue a career in academic teaching and research;
- Teaching and research programs that take gender equality and diversity into account;
- Measures that ensure equal conditions for studying, teaching, and working.
Web page:
www.usi.ch/equalityContact:
[email protected] -
Sustainability Commission
The Sustainability Commission is an advisory body established by the Rectorate with the aim of addressing various sustainability-related topics.
Current members:
Sonja Hildebrand
Sonja Hildebrand
Pro-Rector for Sustainable Transformation and Equal Opportunities - USI
President Sustainability Commission
Massimo Filippini
Massimo Filippini
Professor, Vice-Dean - Faculty of Economics
Jean-Patrick Villeneuve
Jean-Patrick Villeneuve
Professor - Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society
Pietro Majno-Hurst
Pietro Majno-Hurst
Professor - Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
Marta Pizzagalli
Marta Pizzagalli
PhD Student - Institute of Italian Studies (ISI)
Alessandra Motz
Alessandra Motz
Senior researcher - Institute for Economic Research (IRE), Observatory for Public Finance and Energy (O-Fpe)
Buse Narin
Buse Narin
Student
Charlotte Herentrey
Charlotte Herentrey
Student
Antoine Turner
Antoine Turner
Michele Balmelli
Michele Balmelli
Head - Quality Assurance and Sustainability Service
Miriam Allisiardi
Miriam Allisiardi
Collaborator - Quality Assurance and Sustainability Service
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House of Sustainability
The USI House of Sustainability is a center for education and the promotion of sustainable development culture in the region. Through education, engagement with experts, and community involvement, it serves as a new academic hub located in the Alpine region, offering a unique setting to observe and explore key sustainability issues firsthand.
The mission of the House of Sustainability is to integrate sustainability into university education, particularly through the Alpine Seminar. It also organizes events, lectures, debates, participatory projects, and other public initiatives to foster dialogue between science and society on topics related to sustainable development.