The Alma Mater Studiorum, the oldest university in the Western world, paves the way for innovation through an increasingly rich programme catalogue, cutting-edge research and a constant and increasingly broad international perspective.
Since its origins in 1088, Alma Mater has been student-centred hosting prominent figures from science and the arts. Based in five campuses (Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, Rimini), with a branch in Buenos Aires, it offers a teaching catalogue diversified and tailored to the needs of present-day society: over 200 degree programs among its 32 Departments and 11 Schools are offered to over 81,000 students. 5,000 graduates are enrolled in PhDs and 3rd cycle programs. As a comprehensive research university Alma Mater invests in the multidisciplinary cross-cultural approach and in the inseparable connection between research and teaching. One of the most active universities leading and participating in European research and academic cooperation projects, Bologna has formed knowledge alliances with industry and public/private organizations. It is a hub of international networks. Beyond its close European links, it enjoys multiple connections with America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Research and Innovation are a priority of the University’s mission.
With regard to Innovation, UNIBO filed 86 new patent applications in 2017, of which 25 are new registrations, thereby giving rise to an active patent portfolio of over 370 patents related to more than 140 inventions. It also has an active portfolio of more than 20 patented plant varieties, 80% of which are increased in value through active licenses with geographic coverage in countries in different parts of the world. UNIBO set up or accredited 27 spin-off companies up to 2017 and can also count Almacube, as a business incubator that managed 15 incubated companies in 2017.
With regard to the capability of attracting funding for research and innovation, UNIBO is very active both at National and European level in all the research areas. Activities related to competitive funding programs are supported by the Research Division, with more than 10 years experience and about 50 people assisting the research groups in the whole project lifecycle. A Research Development Office deals with the pre-award phase and the UNIBO strategic positioning at local, national and international levels, through integrated networking and lobby activities in each specific research area. While the Programs & Projects Office supports the UNIBO researchers in the implementation phase of the projects with technical, legal, financial and administrative expertise. These Offices strictly cooperate between each other and in strictly connection with the Knowledge Transfer Office, for the Innovation Management expertise and the IP protection and exploitation, and the take-up and commercialization of project results.
Thanks to its scientific excellence and a central Project Management support working closely, UNIBO has gained considerable experience in International and European research projects, successfully participated in FP7: with 274 projects funded in 2007-2013; (58 of them as coordinator) and 87,8ML Euros of funding.
In Horizon 2020, UNIBO is so far involved in 195 funded projects (52 as coordinator) with more than 78 ML Euros of funding. UNIBO is also partner of the EIT Knowledge & Innovation Communities (“EIT DIGITAL”, “Climate KIC”, “EIT Raw Materials”) and many of the most important EU initiatives related to the Horizon 2020 framework program (ie. ETPs, EIPs, JPIs, etc).
The Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN, in brief) develops industrial research projects in the Hi-Tech sectors with particular reference to the areas of Aeronautics and Space. Established in 2012 from the merge of three units (the former Department of Mechanical, Nuclear and Aeronautic Constructions and Metallurgy, the former Department of Energetic, Nuclear, and Environment Engineering, and Metallurgy group of the former Department of Metal Sciences, Electro-chemistry and Technical Chemistry), the Department of Industrial Engineering is active in research, and provides education in different fields of Engineering: Aerospace, Biomechanics, Power, Management, Mechanical, Nuclear, Technical Physics, and Metallurgy.. DIN currently consists of about 100 research staff, including UniBO faculty members and full-time researchers.
