Article 1
Establishment
The University Institute of Higher Studies “IUSS - Ferrara 1391” is hereby established within the University of Ferrara.
Article 2
Purpose
The University Institute of Higher Studies IUSS - Ferrara has the aim of promoting excellence in education at the University of Ferrara. It is a centre of advanced studies open to young Italian and foreign students and it has the following objectives:
- Preparing doctors of research to perform high-level research at an international level and to be employable in structures of advanced research, both pure and applied
- Promoting high quality in graduate studies directed towards the training and development of professionals to work on at least a European level
- Realizing courses and programs of particular value that supplement the knowledge acquired in undergraduate degrees
The Institute sees itself as a point of reference for the interdisciplinary activities of the University in the field of advanced education and training. It represents a meeting point for scholars of various disciplines and it promotes seminars, conferences and other activities of an interdisciplinary and extra-curricular nature.
The Institute organises scientific, cultural and social activities of common interest with the aim of multiplying the educational benefits specific to each academic program. The Institute is entrusted with the organisation of a Residential College whose objective is to serve as a meeting point for students who are part of the Institute, facilitating interactions and exchanges with other universities, both Italian and foreign.
Article 3
Administration
The administrative offices of the Institute are located at Via delle Scienze, 41/b.
Article 4
Degrees and Programs offered by IUSS – Ferrara 1391
The programs pertaining to the Institute are the following:
- Research doctorates of the University of Ferrara
- International Master’s degrees and professional training courses
- Schools of specialization in the medical sector
- Special programs within the undergraduate degrees
The doctoral programs are carried out according to the Guidelines for the Research Doctorate of the University of Ferrara.
The international Master’s degrees are graduate programs organized annually as a rule, worth 60 ECTS credits, with international level instruction, directed towards the education and training of professionals with European integration in mind.
The international professional training courses are designed for graduates; they are of an intensive nature lasting at least a week and are worth at least six credits, with international level instruction.
Included in Category (b) above are the annual professional certification courses, as described in DPR 162 of 1982, which respond to the need for professional development, refresher training and re-qualification, with suitable international characteristics.
All the doctoral programs of the University of Ferrara are included in IUSS-Ferrara 1391.
Each year, the Academic Senate, after hearing proposals from the Faculties, will select which programs of Type (b) and (c) above and which courses of Type (d) will be part of the Institute during the following year, keeping in mind the objectives described in Article 2, paying particular attention to the training and education necessary for the European job market, as well as to the international character and quality of the education offered. The Academic Senate will also assign each course and program to a specific macro-area.
Article 5
Transferable Academic Credit
Certain professional training courses of Type (b) from the above list can also be used by doctoral students to acquire professional elements for their curriculum vitae. Such activity can be inserted into degree plans with the authorization of the appropriate doctoral coordinator.
The resulting credits from the international Master’s degree and from the professional education and training programs can be recognized at the end of a doctoral program and can potentially shorten the length of the doctoral program, subject to the decision of the teaching staff of that same doctoral program.
Certain organized educational activities in the doctoral programs can also be used by the other students of IUSS – Ferrara 1391 to acquire scientific and cultural elements for their curriculum vitae. Such activities can be inserted into degree plans with the authorization of the appropriate degree coordinator.
Article 6
Management
The Director and the Council are the managing organs of the University Institute of Higher Studies.
Article 7
Director of IUSS – Ferrara 1391
The Director is named by the Rector of the University, after consultation with the Council of the Institute. The term of office is for three years, and is renewable once only.
The Director is responsible for the management of the Institute and leads its activities and represents it. S/he presides over the Council of the Institute and is in charge of carrying out the decisions of that same Council. The Director promotes and organises the activities of the Institute and proposes yearly the plan, budget and summary of previous activity of the Institute to the Council.
The Director has the right to designate a Vice Director from among the professors of the Council of the Institute who may substitute her/him in cases of absence or impediment.
Article 8
Council of IUSS – Ferrara 1391
The Council is composed of:
- the Director who presides over it
- the coordinators of the research doctorates
- representatives of the macro-areas described in the Guidelines for the Research Doctorate, appointed every year by the Academic Senate, up to two for each macro-area.
The Council is to be convened by the Director at least twice a year. The Council may invite representatives from research institutions, regional organisations and businesses which contribute to the funding of the activities of the Institute to attend sessions with the right to a consultative vote only. These representatives are chosen by the organisations themselves.
While respecting the autonomy of the individual programs and Departments, the Council has the following responsibilities:
- To promote cultural initiatives of an interdisciplinary and extra-curricular nature which will enable the Institute to achieve the objectives listed in Article 2;
- To promote the scientific and cultural aspects of collaborative educational and research activities among the various doctoral programs of the Institute;
- To promote the scientific and cultural aspects of collaborative educational and research activities with other national and international universities, organisations, institutions and research centres;
- To promote contact with companies for the organisation of internships or periods of work experience and for the identification of research subjects of common interest;
- To approve the plans for educational and scientific activities, the budget and the final accounts presented by the Director;
- To decide the allotment of the rooms of the Residential College by macro-area, guaranteeing pluralism of presence for each macro-area and, within them, the greatest number of academic programs.
Article 8 bis
Enrolled Students
All students enrolled in programs offered by the Institute have the right to take part in the interdisciplinary and extra-curricular activities of the Institute and to play an active role in proposing and organising such initiatives.
Motions signed by a minimum number of ten students must be added by the Director to the agenda of the following meeting of the Council of the Institute, to which the first signer of the motion will be invited.
In addition, all students of the University have the right to make use of all of the services and of the common spaces of the Residential College. They may hold meetings of their associations in the common spaces of the Residential College.
Article 9
Residential College
The Residential College, which is mentioned above in Article 2 of this charter, provides accommodation for a limited number of students enrolled in the programs at the Institute which last at least one year.
Students wishing to avail themselves of this service will present an application for residence in the Residential College with the application for admission, or in any case, no more than 15 days from the date of publication of the admissions list.
After completion of the application process and the decisions for the admissions list, using the allotment by macro-area and by academic program decided beforehand by the Council, the Council assigns places, considering the following as preferential qualifications:
a. enrolled in the first year;
b. coming from a foreign university or one which is outside the region (Emilia-Romagna);
c. residing outside the region;
d. high position in the selection list for the doctoral course.
Rooms in the Residential College are assigned for a maximum period of one year, with the possibility of renewal.
During the period when a room is assigned to a student, s/he is obliged to spend at least 15 nights per month in the Residential College, as a rule. Absences without adequate justification may result in the forfeiture of the right of the student to make use of a room in the Residential College. Such a decision is made by the Council on the proposal of the Director.
Article 10
Copernicus Visiting Scientists
In pursuit of the aims of excellence and internationalization in education and research, each year, on the resolution of the Council of IUSS – Ferrara 1391 and within the limits of the resources which it has been assigned, IUSS – Ferrara 1391 will be able to invite distinguished foreign scholars for academic sojourns in Ferrara lasting at least a month.
In determining the yearly plan for guests, the Council will respect an equal balance among the various macro-areas and, within them, among the academic programs.
The scholars should have one of the following qualifications:
- They occupy the position of professor in a foreign university or
- They have received high scientific recognition at the international level or
- They have been responsible for significant projects in qualified international scientific institutions of research.
A reimbursement of documented travel expenses and a daily flat rate allowance for board and lodging expenses will be paid to the aforesaid scholars, within the limits determined each year by the Council of Administration of the University, referring to the average figures of the daily allowance given to professors on academic sojourns in countries of the European Union.
Article 11
Funding and Financial Administration
An endowment fund is assigned to the Institute for its operation. Financial administration is conducted in conformity with title III (“Istituti Scientifici” – Scientific Institutes) of the Guidelines of Administration and Accounting of the University of Ferrara. The Institute can use funds coming from public or private entities.
Article 12
Assets Administration
The Director of the Institute is trustee of the property of the Institute, in conformity with title VI (“Gestione Patrimoniale” – Assets Administration) of the Guidelines of Administration and Accounting of the University of Ferrara.
Article 13
Staff
The Institute uses the personnel assigned to it.
Article 14
Effective Date
This Charter comes into effect from the date of the Rector’s decree approving the Charter.
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