UniPadova informs

Newsletter of the Directorate-General - Office of Collegiate Bodies

UniPadova Informa aims to be an essential information on the decisions taken by the University's governing bodies deemed to be of more general interest and of greater impact for the university community.

In the newsletter you will always find the link to the more detailed report of the meeting of the Body. The newsletter does not claim to be exhaustive or complete, for which reference should be made to the text of the resolutions accessible to all employees.

Date

136 results

Board of administration

Board of Administration Meeting of 26 May 2026

Post-graduate offer: renewed strategic synergy with the UniSMART Foundation

The renewal of the collaboration with UniSMART - University of Padua Foundation for the promotion and communication activities of all University Master's Degrees, Advanced Courses, Higher Education and Professional Updating for the three-year period 2027-2030 has been approved.

The aim is to provide each course with strong individual visibility, while offering a coordinated and effective overview of the University's entire postgraduate offer, through:

Dedicated platforms: management of the institutional web portal (uel.unipd.it) and creation of specific websites for each individual course;
Digital materials: design and creation of information brochures in PDF format;
Direct marketing: sending dedicated newsletters (DEM) to university databases;
Advertising campaigns: targeted advertising investments on Google ADS (Search and Display) and on the main social networks (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram);
Active promotion: at the UNISMART business community, at trade and professional associations, at local companies and institutions.

These activities are financed as required by the University Regulations on postgraduate training:

with a maximum share of 12.5 percentage points out of the 15 of the University budget on enrolment fees;
the University continues to directly take care of enrolments, the careers of students and the issuance of qualifications;
as part of the agreement, the Departments will be able to activate further operational agreements with UniSMART for management and support services.

Cybersecurity: the University launches the Organisational Model for Information Security and the Response Piano for compliance with the European NIS2 Directive

The University takes a further step in strengthening its digital defenses. In line with Legislative Decree 138/2024 (which implements the EU NIS2 Directive), two strategic pillars are configured for cyber risk management:

the "Organisational Model for Information Security", which defines IT security management roles, responsibilities and processes;
the "IT Security Incident Response Piano", which governs the management operating methods, communication flows and escalation and notification procedures to the competent authorities and the CSIRT Italy in the event of cybersecurity incidents.

These documents, which are part of the actions envisaged by the University's programming (Digital Transformation Piano 2024-2026 and PIAO 2026-2028), constitute the first implementation tools of the University's IT security governance system; the document framework will be progressively developed and updated as part of the process of defining the Information Security Management System (ISMS) compliant with the ISO/IEC/27001:2022 standard, also through periodic monitoring and review activities.

Supplementary contract 2026-2028 for CELs

The Board of Administration has approved the new University Supplementary Collective Agreement relating to the remuneration of Language Expert Collaborators for the three-year period 2026-2028. The agreement, which applies to both permanent and fixed-term staff, overcomes the previous fragmentation resulting from several partial agreements entered into between 2000 and 2016 and organically redesigns the discipline of the career and incentive of the CELs of the University of Padova, in line with the national contractual sequence signed on 18 March 2025. The agreement introduces rules that also apply to future hires, promoting clearer and more homogeneous professional development over time.
It distinguishes the supplementary salary treatment into two components: "Experience gained" and "Productivity", which replace and absorb the supplementary treatment paid so far. The first is defined in 10 three-year salary classes, while the second will be paid on the basis of the provisions of the new CEL staff performance evaluation system.
The annual resources available amount to 166,092 euros, equal to 222,004 euros considering the charges borne by the University. Its effectiveness is subject to the positive opinion of the Board of Auditors of the Conti.

For further decisions taken by the Board of Administration, please refer to the report.

Academic Senate

Academic Senate of 12 May 2026

Summer courses in Brixen for the A.Y. 2025/2026 are underway

A degree courses shared between the University Schools
There will be 39 courses activated as part of the Summer School in Bressanone.
The educational program will be divided into two distinct periods, in order to ensure optimal management of spaces and participation flows:
- First round (20 July - 30 July 2026), dedicated to the Schools of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Economics and Political Science, Law and Engineering;
- Second round (3 August - 13 August 2026), dedicated to the Schools of Psychology, Medicine and Surgery, Human, Social and Cultural Heritage Sciences and Sciences.
Requirements and enrolment procedures
Also for this edition, the activation of the courses will be subject to the achievement of a minimum threshold of fifteen students per course unit. The enrolment fee is 55 euros and will allow students to attend up to a maximum of two courses.
Logistics & Accommodation
The University provides 48 beds at the historic University Youth House in Bressanone, at a cost of 210 euros per shift, thus offering an accessible and strategically located housing solution.

University spin-off: status renewed for six entrepreneurial realities

The Academic Senate has expressed a favourable opinion on the renewal of the status of University Spin-off for six companies established within the University, at the end of the evaluation process provided for by the Spin-off Regulations: Eubiome Srl, Inside Climate Service Srl, MSD Srl, Opigeo Srl, Rozes Srl, ThinkQuantum Srl.

The renewal criteria
For the renewal, the criteria introduced in 2025 were applied, aimed at enhancing the realities capable of combining economic sustainability, innovation and continuity of collaborations with the University.
The companies were evaluated on the basis of:
- economic solidity, measured through the average value of production in the last three years;
- collaborations with the University, including research projects, patents, contracts for third parties and funding of scholarships.

International University Master's Degrees

The University's commitment to promoting international and interdisciplinary training courses, developed in collaboration with European and non-EU universities and partner institutions, continues.
For the A.Y.. 2026/2027, the following have been approved:
- the activation of the international University Master "SAHC: Advanced Masters in Structural Analysis of Monuments and Historical Constructions", dedicated to the conservation and structural analysis of historical and architectural heritage, with the simultaneous renewal of the Consortium Agreement between the Universidade do Minho (administrative campus of the master), the University of Padova and the other European partners for the period 2027-2032;
- the fifth edition of the first-level international University Master in "Climate Change and Sustainable Agroecosystems", carried out in collaboration with the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar of Ecuador (administrative campus), with the aim of training professionals capable of addressing climate challenges through sustainable and interdisciplinary approaches;
- the renewal, for a further four years, of the international agreement relating to the "European Fragrance and Cosmetics University Master (EFCM)", developed with the Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and ISIPCA. The syllabus, entirely delivered in English, integrates scientific, managerial and marketing skills in the perfumery and cosmetics sectors.

Board of administration

Board of Administration Meeting of 28 April 2026

Consolidated University Financial Statements for the year 2025

The management of the 2025 financial year has guaranteed economic balance.
The University achieved revenues of €929,368,799 and incurred costs of €921,052,790, achieving a profit for the year of €8,316,009.
Operating income recorded an increase of over €77.6 million compared to 2024 (+9.1%), confirming the growth trend of the last three years. The growth concerned all the main revenue items. In particular, own income grew from almost 257 million euros in 2024 to almost 296 million euros in 2025 (+39 million) and, among these, the allocation of FFO recorded an increase of almost 26.7 million euros compared to 2024.
The trend in costs is characterised by an increase in operating costs of €72.1 million compared to 2024 (+8.8%), attributable to:
- current management costs (+€37.7 million compared to 2024) incurred for the right to education (+€5.7 million), higher transfers to partners in coordinated projects (€19.9 million);
- personnel costs (a total of €24.5 million) in particular, for teachers and researchers (+€12.6 million) due to the numerical increase and salary and technical-administrative staff dynamics, for new hires (+119 units) as well as arrears due to the renewal of the 2022-2024 C.C.N.L.;
- costs for technical-management services and collaborations (€9.8 million).

With reference to the Balance Sheet, Shareholders' Equity stood at €444,490,715 (+€8,316,309 compared to 2024) while on the liabilities side there was a decrease in accrued expenses (-€7.6 million), investment grants (-€3.5 million) and deferred income for ongoing research projects (-€11.6 million).
As regards the indices monitored by the Ministry , it should be noted that the parameters are below the regulatory limits:
- indicator of personnel expenses (Legislative Decree no. 49 of 29 March 2012, art. 5): 69.14% (80% limit), down compared to the previous year (69.49%);
- debt limit (Legislative Decree no. 49 of 29 March 2012, art. 7): 2.45% (10% attention limit) down compared to the previous year (2.64%);
- economic and financial sustainability index – ISEF (Legislative Decree no. 49 of 29 March 2012, art. 7): 1.17 (value greater than or equal to 1), up compared to the previous year (1.16).

The ratio between student contributions and FFO is 16.26% (limit 20%).
With regard to the use of the profit for the year, the Board of Administration has decided to allocate:
- €3,000,000 for the creation of a fund for investments to improve energy efficiency and the production of energy from renewable sources;
- €1,000,000 for the creation of a fund to support the development of shared and accessible research infrastructures;
- 500,000 euros for the creation of a fund intended to encourage the strengthening and support of the Lifelong learning degree courses;
- €500,000 for the creation of a fund to support the appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools;
- €3,316,009 allocated to capital strengthening in increase of free reserves, also taking into account that during the 2026 financial year the University drew on shareholders' equity for €12,990,440 to cover investment expenses.

Guidelines for the sustainable management of events of the University of Padova

The new Guidelines for the sustainable management of events have been adopted, a tool aimed at systematically integrating the principles of sustainability into the planning and implementation of institutional initiatives. The document was created as part of the 2023-2027 Strategic Piano and the Charter of Sustainability Commitments, following a process started in 2024 that led to the definition of a Management System compliant with the UNI ISO 20121:2024 standard. In 2025, the system was tested on different types of events, obtaining certification from the Bureau Veritas body: a milestone that makes the University the only Italian university currently certified in this area. The Guidelines provide concrete indications on environmental (logistics, materials, energy, waste) and social (inclusion, gender equality, labor protection) aspects, promoting a shared culture of sustainability.

Student fees, exemptions and incentives for the A.Y.. 2026/2027

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the contribution system maintains a substantially unchanged approach, ensuring continuity and introducing interventions aimed at strengthening equity and accessibility.
The previous division of contributions into two groups of courses of study (A and B) has been reconfirmed, with the exemption from the payment of contributions for students with an ISEE of up to 30,000 euros, and providing for concessions on contributions up to 70,000 euros of ISEE, a threshold beyond which the full rate of 2,790 euros for humanities courses applies, group A, and 2,990 euros for scientific courses and primary education sciences, Group B).
The main facilitation measures include the following:
- confirmation of the No-Tax Area with total exemption for ISEE up to 30,000 euros and introduction of a new exemption for sons and daughters of victims of duty, terrorism and massacres;
- enhancement of the concessions for the medium brackets (ISEE between 30,000 and 50,000 euros), with reductions of up to 150 euros according to criteria of inverse proportionality in the reference range;
- confirmation of the conditions for international students, with unchanged contributions and 100 total exemptions for courses taught in English;
- maintenance of the facilities for scientific degrees, syllabus "Double student-athlete career" and protocol "PA 110 cum laude";
- continuation of the differentiated instalment plan for freshmen, in order to facilitate the calculation based on the actual ISEE.

Allocation of funds for tutoring allowances for the A.Y. 2026/2027

As part of the strengthening of services for students, the University allocates a total of 682,503 euros for tutoring and teaching support activities. Against a ministerial quota (FFO 2025) of 502,503 euros, the University integrates 180,000 euros of own funds to ensure the highest quality of services.
Among the main features of the intervention:
- allocation criterion based on the number of students enrolled in the first year (new career start-ups as of 10 March 2026);
- financing of information, didactic-integrative, preparatory and remedial tutoring activities;
- activation of contracts aimed at master's and PhD students;
- additional allocation for transversal projects aimed at improving teaching.
The calls for the assignment of the assignments will be published by June 2026.

Audit Register: analysis of the results and status of the Internal Control System

The University takes a decisive step towards integrated risk management with the preparation of the Final Balance of the Register of Controls. The document, based on a systematic mapping of internal regulations, is configured as a strategic tool aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency of academic and administrative processes.
The system is divided into three levels of controls: the first level, internal to the process, the second level, external to the process and the third level or audit. The analysis shows that 76% of the processes are currently monitored, with both formal control measures and integrated into operational flows.
The mapping phase represents the basis for the future planning of the audit plan, with particular attention to areas not yet covered by external controls or with greater exposure to risk. Among the priorities already identified by the Control Committee are the management of missions, procedures for purchases below the threshold.

For further decisions taken by the Board of Administration, please refer to the report.

Board of administration

Board of Administration Meeting of 31 March 2026

Activation of the XLII PhD cycle (A.Y.. 2026/2027) and scholarship allocation
With the launch of the procedures for the activation of the XLII cycle of the PhD, the University confirms its commitment to supporting scientific excellence and higher education.
• Educational offer: the proposal for the activation of 42 PhD courses, including 7 re-accreditation courses and 35 renewals, has been authorized; 12 doctorates will be activated in an associated form in collaboration with national bodies (CNR, INFN, INAF), other Italian and international universities.
• Scholarships: the scholarships from the University Budget already allocated by the Board of Administration (255) are distributed among all PhD courses, using the consolidated Temperate Dimensional model which, thanks to the possibility for the Departments to co-finance the remainder of the full scholarship, returns a total of 258 scholarships. The total number of positions will be further increased by external funds, from the Department, from the Departments of Excellence.
• Amount of scholarships: with the introduction of the new strategic policy approved by the Board of Directors, the minimum amount of the scholarship has been raised to 17,443 euros/year (to which are added the budget for research activities and the increase for periods of study spent abroad). In addition, for 22 doctorates, the co-financing of the reference Departments will guarantee a further integration of 100 euros/month, bringing the value of the scholarship to 18,643 euros/year.
• Other PhD scholarships: an additional 250-300 PhD scholarships are expected to derive from contributions from bodies, institutions and companies, or from the departments' own funds.
• Timing: the publication of the Selection Notice is scheduled for the beginning of April 2026, with a participation fee of 30 euros for each application. The start of teaching activities is set for 1 November 2026.

Memorandum of understanding for the Polesine university network in support of women victims of violence
The initiative, promoted in synergy with the Municipality of Rovigo and the Rovigo University Consortium (C.U.R.), strengthens the University's commitment to the protection of human rights and the fight against gender-based violence.
Key points of the agreement:
• dedicated desks: opening of one or more listening points at the university campuses of Rovigo, with the supervision of qualified operators from the Polesine Anti-Violence Centre;
• services offered: reception, risk assessment, psychological support, legal and social advice aimed at the student and academic community;
• awareness-raising: training and information programmes aimed at the academic and student community in the area.
The three-year agreement provides for a one-year experimentation phase, aimed at integrating the assistance services with the local university fabric, guaranteeing maximum confidentiality and security to those who intend to approach the counter.

The framework agreement with INFN for the national laboratories of Legnaro has been renewed
The consolidated collaboration between Universities and INFN in the field of nuclear, subnuclear, astro-particle physics and fundamental interactions, with activities at the National Laboratories of Legnaro (Padova), is renewed for a further seven years (renewable by agreement between the parties), introducing some updates to the current regulations.
Key points of the agreement:
• associated staff: the figure of university staff who acquires the status of "associate" through assignments (free of charge) of scientific and technological research and technical collaboration at the INFN, contributing directly to the Institute's scientific programs, is precisely defined;
• safety and radiation protection: in accordance with Legislative Decree 81/2008 and 101/2020, the obligations in the field of safety at work and radiation protection are unified by the INFN for the staff working at the Laboratories, through a constant exchange of information between the two bodies;
• insurance coverage: the division of responsibilities is clarified: the INFN guarantees "All risks" coverage on assets and civil liability for activities carried out on behalf of the Institute, while the University maintains general liability coverage for its staff and legal insurance obligations;
• equipment management: the regulations relating to the use and co-ownership of equipment between the two bodies are updated;
• new contractual figures: the Convention incorporates the new contractual instruments (research contracts and post-doc assignments), which replace research grants, confirming INFN's commitment to co-financing projects of significant national interest, PhD scholarships and pre-tenure contracts.
The renewal of the agreement consolidates a strategic synergy between the University and INFN, strengthening the research system and encouraging the development of scientific activities of excellence.

ANVUR accreditation visit
At the end of the ANVUR periodic accreditation visit, which has just ended, the Rector thanked the Board of Administration and all the members of the University for their great commitment and active support, well evidenced by the provisional restitution that the ANVUR Committee of Experts provided at the final meeting held in the Aula Magna at Palazzo Bo.

Academic Senate

Academic Senate of 10 March 2026

Galileiena School of Advanced Studies

Founded in 2004, the Scuola Galileiana allows every year a selected number of students who enroll in a first-cycle/bachelor's degree course, master's degree, single-cycle master's degree or PhD at the University of Padua to undertake an educational path of excellence, interdisciplinary and personalized, in a context characterized by a lively intellectual exchange, designed to cultivate talent and stimulate personal and academic growth.
Places available
The Academic Senate, in accordance with the General and Didactic Regulations of the SSGS, has defined, on the proposal of the School itself, the quotas for access to the training courses:
• Five-year course (30 places in total):
- Class of Moral Sciences: 8 places
- Natural Sciences Class: 14 places
- Social Sciences Class: 8 places
• Master's Degree (10 places in total):
- Class of Moral Sciences: 3 places (1 of which is reserved for foreign qualifications)
- Class of Natural Sciences: 4 places (1 of which is reserved for foreign qualifications)
- Social Sciences Class: 3 places (1 of which is reserved for foreign qualifications).
Therefore, 170 students are expected in the academic year 2026/2027.
The new campus
The formula of the Galilean School is residential. Following the renovation works carried out by the University and financed by the Ministry, the students will soon move from the current campuses in the "Cittadella dello Studente" complex in Via Venezia to the "Casa dello Studente Fusinato". The facility will provide SGSS with 187 beds as well as equipment to ensure full coverage for:
• students of the three active courses (179 five-year, master's and doctoral courses);
• exchange programs with partners of excellence (SNS Pisa, ENS Paris and Lyon, Purdue University, Scuola Sant'Anna and Scuola Superiore Meridionale);
• Guest lecturers.

Visit ANVUR for periodic accreditation

The calendar of activities
The evaluation process consists of two phases:
• from 9 to 13 March: session of remote visits dedicated to the 15 Degree Courses and 5 PhD Courses selected by ANVUR;
• from 23 to 27 March: face-to-face visit at the University campus, at the 5 selected Departments and at the 2 courses of study in the medical area, with a full syllabus of institutional meetings and hearings.
The syllabus of the campus visit
The week of 23 March will see the active involvement of the Governance and all the components of the University. The syllabus defined by ANVUR includes:
• strategic framework: meetings with the Rector, the Director General, the Pro-Rectors and Delegates, representatives of the Governing Bodies and the Evaluation Unit, Managers and Office Directors and student representatives;
• Thematic insights: sessions dedicated to planning and policy, resource management, quality assurance, implementation of the quality of teaching, research and Third Mission, student services;
• student participation: a specific meeting with student representatives in the University bodies;
• focus on Departments and Courses in the medical area: inspections at the 5 selected Departments and the Degree Courses in Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery.
A Choral Commitment to Quality
The hearings represent a crucial moment to demonstrate not only the formal regularity of the procedures, but the effective implementation and sharing of University policies at every organizational level, according to the Plan, Do, Check, Act logic.

New campuses and new rules for the self-managed classroom called "Pollaio"

The Academic Senate has expressed a favourable opinion on the new Regulations for the self-management of the "Pollaio" Study Hall, marking an important step in the experience of self-management. The study room leaves the premises of the Paolotti building to move to a new and more functional campus at the "La Nave" building (via del Portello n. 23-31), on the ground floor. The Regulations have been updated to ensure full consistency with the new premises and with the current University regulations.
Timetables and management methods
The University will guarantee the opening and closing of the structure, while the operational management will be entrusted to a Self-Management Committee, identified by the Student Council:
• Daytime slot (8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday-Sunday): the supervision is ensured by the Self-Management Committee with the support of "200 hours" student collaborators.
• Evening slot (20:30 – 1:00), holidays and closing days of the University: the management of the classroom falls under the exclusive responsibility of the Self-Management Committee.
Beyond self-study: coworking and culture
The discipline of the "Pollaio" study room is not limited to regulating individual study, but actively promotes group study, coworking, library loan and the organization of cultural initiatives. All activities must comply with the rules relating to maximum capacity, safety as well as the condominium regulations of the host structure.
The final assignment will be subject to a resolution by the Board of Directors, also with reference to safety management.

Report of the Confidential Counsellor

The Confidential Counsellor of the University of Padova presented his report. The reports received remain statistically insignificant when compared to the entire academic community of almost 76,000 students and 10,000 staff. In fact, only 23 reports were received in the second semester of 2024 and 44 in 2025, mainly from women. The complaints mainly concern moral or verbal harassment, mobbing and, to a marginal extent, sexual harassment and stalking. The report also highlights some critical issues in the way teachers and students interact with regard to the informal use of media and digital platforms, for which more formal and prudent relationships are suggested.
The growing awareness of the service has fostered an increase in access and strengthened the Office's role in promoting a respectful and inclusive university environment.

For more details, please refer to the report.

Board of administration

Board of Administration Meeting of 24 February 2026

Consolidation of the university presence in Treviso and Chioggia
The University of Padova continues its plan to consolidate its presence in the Veneto region, through a decentralization strategy aimed not only at educational excellence, but also at the rationalization of resources and the redevelopment of the local architectural heritage.
The Treviso hub: towards the new "former Salsa Barracks" complex
Thirty years after the start of teaching activities in the city of Treviso, the University formalizes the transition to a stable and functional campus, overcoming transitional leases.

Project and function: the Municipality of Treviso will grant the University a 50-year surface right on a building in the former "Tommaso Salsa" Barracks (Viale Brigata Marche), intended to host the courses of the Law School and the first years of the Health Professions in a prestigious context, guaranteeing a capacity of about 1,800 places.
Urban impact: the new synergy between the Municipality of Treviso and the University of Padua will act as a catalyst for the urban regeneration of the northern area of the city. The plan, in addition to the complete recovery of the former barracks, provides for the construction of a waterway that will run along a new cycle path and will be integrated into the surrounding green area, with the aim of transforming the entire complex into a center of excellence for the city by combining training, sport and leisure.
Financial commitment and sustainability: the operation, with a total value of over 12 million euros, is co-financed by the Municipality for 3.3 million euros from PNRR funds and provides for a maximum investment by the University of 8.97 million euros for the completion of the renovation, according to a project shared between the two entities. This commitment will allow the reduction of passive rents and an optimization of logistics and library services.
Timetable: the works will be conducted according to two functional parts: the delivery of the first, guaranteed by the Municipality with PNRR funds, is expected by September 2026; the completion of the second is expected by the end of 2028.

The Polo di Chioggia: conservative restoration of Palazzo Grassi
The University reaffirms its historical commitment to the Clodiense area through a new agreement for the scientific and museum enhancement of Palazzo Grassi, the current campus of the teaching activities of the Course of Study in Marine Biology and the "Giuseppe Olivi" Museum of Adriatic Zoology. The agreement with the Municipality of Chioggia provides for the following:

Concession: the Municipality of Chioggia will entrust the property in concession to the University for a duration of 18 years, without payment of consideration, ensuring the operational continuity of the Department of Biology and the public use of the Olivi Museum.
Redevelopment of the building: the University undertakes to finance an extraordinary maintenance and building innovation plan for a total amount of 3.32 million euros.

Enhancement of scientific excellence: the University renews its support for the MSCA "Seal of Excellence" projects for the year 2026
The initiative, consolidated since 2018, aims to support scientific excellence and strengthen the international attractiveness of the University of Padova. The call is specifically aimed at researchers who, despite having obtained the European Commission's Seal of Excellence as part of the Horizon Europe 2025 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) call, have not benefited from European funding due to exhaustion of the EU budget.
Main contents of the call

Contractual framework: following the amendments made to Law 240/2010 on pre-tenure, the winners of the call will be recruited through the institution of the post-doc assignment, in place of the research grant. In order not to penalize researchers economically, guaranteeing a net treatment similar to that received by research fellows in previous editions, the University will activate the assignments in the highest economic bracket provided for by the current Regulations.
Financial allocation: the total budget allocated amounts to 1,500,000 euros. This investment will make it possible to finance between 5 and 11 research projects (lasting 18-36 months), depending on the distribution between European and Global Fellowships.
Mobility Allowance (MA): for Global Fellowships only, the salary integration mechanism for researchers on secondment (outgoing) to Third Countries is confirmed. The monthly contribution, equal to at least 500 euros, will be remodulated according to the Country Correction Coefficient (CCC) provided by the European Commission for contexts with a high cost of living.

Supporting talent and protecting research: the University's action plan for international students and scholars
Scholarships for International Students
The consolidation of the degree courses in English is also supported for the A.Y. 2026/2027 by the "Padua International Excellence Scholarships" call , through which the University will provide up to 69 scholarships to the most deserving candidates admitted to each course track of international degree courses, thus covering all courses of study delivered in the vehicular language. Beneficiaries will receive a contribution of 8,000 euros per year (gross recipient) and will be exempt from paying taxes.
The effectiveness of internationalization strategies is also confirmed by government programs: in the A.Y.. 2025/2026, the University of Padua is in fact the recipient of 12% of the 1,060 scholarships offered to foreign and Italian students residing abroad (IRE) provided by the MAECI and 19% of the 74 scholarships as part of the "Invest Your Talent in Italy" higher education project.
Responsibility and Solidarity: Unipd "At Risk" and UNICORE project
As part of the consolidated syllabus "Unipd 4 People at risk", which supports students and scholars who are refugees, asylum seekers or who declare to be in a condition of "risk" in their countries of origin, the following will be announced for 2026:

13 "Students at Risk" scholarships, worth 12,000 euros (gross perceiving) per year, plus exemption from student contributions;
6 "Scholars at Risk" fellowships, for an amount of 36,866.36 euros (gross recipient) for twelve months.

Finally, as part of the UNICORE 8.0 (University Corridors for Refugees) project, promoted by UNCHR Italy in coordination with Caritas, MAECI and a network of other national and local partners, the University offers four scholarships to support as many young refugees from 14 target countries. The support includes exemption from student fees, coverage of costs for accommodation and canteen service, reimbursement of expenses incurred for teaching activities as well as pocket money worth 4,800 euros per year.

UniSMART: 2026-2028 Three-Year Piano approved

The University of Padova has approved UniSMART's strategic planning for the next three years. After a three-year period 2023-2025 in which the Foundation stood out for a strong institutional push, the new three-year period aims to significantly accelerate revenue from third parties, accompanied by a growth in the volume of activity (from 6.8 to 8.7 million euros) and an increase in the workforce (from 32 to 38 units). The main guidelines concern the strengthening of European research, the enhancement of University patents and the development of executive training.

For further decisions taken by the Board of Directors, please refer to the report.

Academic Senate

Academic Senate of 10 February 2026

Visit ANVUR for periodic accreditation
The ANVUR Periodic Accreditation visit, which will take place between 23 and 27 March 2026, will concern the evaluation, in addition to the campuses, of 5 Departments, 17 Study Courses and 5 PhD Courses, selected by ANVUR directly. ANVUR then transmitted the composition of the Commission of Experts for Evaluation (CEV), appointed by the Board of Directors, and reported that the Study Courses (with the exception of the two Medicine courses) and the Doctoral Courses will be audited electronically in the week from 9 to 13 March.
In view of the evaluation, simulation meetings and an assembly are scheduled for March 6, 2026 at the Benedictine Court of Legnaro, intended for those who will be interviewed during the ANVUR visit.

Updated the Regulations on Teaching and Student Service Tasks
Following the favourable opinion expressed by the Board of Directors, the new regulatory framework relating to the teaching tasks of professors and researchers has been defined. The amendments, aimed at incorporating the evolution of the national reference legislation (updating Law 240/2010 and Law 230/2005), aim to simplify and reorganize the University discipline on the subject, at the same time optimizing the assignment of institutional loads.
The main regulatory and organizational changes
• Redefinition of didactics: The concept of "frontal" teaching is superseded in favor of the term "curricular teaching", which includes not only the first and second level Degree Courses, but also the activities carried out in the Doctoral Courses, in the Schools of Specialization and in the Galilean School.
•Minimum thresholds and flexibility: Associate professors are required to carry out at least 80 hours per curricular activity (60 hours if they have opted for the defined time) in the I and II level Degree Programmes. It will be possible to count in the institutional load (up to 15 hours) the activities carried out free of charge as part of the postgraduate courses for lifelong learning.
• Introduction of the figure of the fixed-term tenure-track researcher (RTT), whose institutional burden may be increased up to 20% in the second three-year period of the contract.
• Enhancement of the role of Director of the degree course: Presidents may opt for the reduction of their annual institutional teaching load (up to 20 hours) or, alternatively, for an increase in the ordinary research endowment (DOR).
• Simplification of procedures: Possibility of direct assignment to assign additional assignments for consideration to full-time professors and researchers for courses (or parts thereof) not exceeding 8 hours within Doctoral Courses and Specialization Schools. Possibility of direct assignment even higher than 8 hours for Masters, Postgraduate Courses, Lifelong Learning Courses, in compliance with the principles of transparency.
• Transparency and Verification: The procedure for sample administrative verification is defined on annual self-certifications relating to teaching activities and student service.
Scope and transitional phase
The new provisions will enter into force from the academic year 2026/2027. Until A.Y. 2025/2026, the previous regulations continue to apply.

Medicine Reform: the Recovery Plan and extraordinary enrolments 2026 are underway
Concluded the cd. "Open semester", the second phase of the university reform for access to training courses in the medical area comes to life. The University, on the basis of MUR Decree no. 1115/2025, has prepared a package of extraordinary measures to support students who have attended the preparatory courses for access to courses in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Veterinary Medicine or similar courses, but have not been able to pass all the exams scheduled in the November and December 2025 sessions.
Recovery university credits (ECTS credits): three exams in February
To allow students to realign, three catch-up sessions have been set for February 2026 for each of the courses of:
• Chemistry and Biochemistry Propaedeutics
•Biology
•Physical
Students will also have access to supplementary teaching materials on a dedicated e-learning platform as well as a study room to facilitate moments of study and discussion.
Extraordinary enrolment window
For those who do not pass the recovery tests, the reform provides for a "safety net" for the current academic year. In fact, an extraordinary enrolment window has been opened towards other study paths:
• Open access courses: pre-enrolment from 19 January 2026 to 5 March 2026, enrolment from 20 January 2026 to 6 March 2026, subject to TOLC.
• Courses with limited access (with places available): pre-enrolment from 19 January 2026 to 20 February 2026, rankings available from 26 February 2026, enrolment from 27 February 2026 to 6 March 2026.
Support and credit recognition
From 20 January 2026, an information and guidance desk will be active to guide students through bureaucratic procedures and career choices.
On the university career front, the plan guarantees fundamental safeguards:
1. Attendance: participation in the lessons of the open semester is valid as fulfillment of the obligation to attend for the first semester of all courses (related and not).
2. Credits (university credits (ECTS credits)): the credits acquired will be fully recognized for related courses. For non-related courses, the recognition (of credits) will be subject to recognition, with the possibility of using the university credits (ECTS credits) acquired as elective exams.
Scholarship Benefits
Students enrolled in the "open semester" at any university who complete their enrolment in the second semester in the Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Courses, or enroll in a related course or other course of study for the a.y. 2025/2026 at Unipd, have a reserved window, active from 4 February to 4 March 2026, to participate in the call for applications for regional scholarships.

Results of the Good Practice Project 2024-2025
The project, now in its twenty-first edition, coordinated by CoDAU with the support of the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, aims to measure and compare the performance of the administrative and support services of the participating universities on two axes: efficiency and effectiveness. The 2024-2025 edition saw the participation of 66 universities (53 state universities, 7 private universities and 6 high schools). The project is based on two main areas of analysis (Costs and Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction - CS) and on a third dimension developed through the establishment of specific laboratories, which in this edition concerned the analytical accounting of research projects and the AGID Three-Year Digital Transformation Plan.
In comparison with other universities, it should be noted that the University of Padova is "very decentralized" in the allocation of technical and administrative resources to the structures.
Main results of the Good Practice 2025 project for the University of Padua
1. Customer Satisfaction, which measures stakeholder satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 6.
• Professors, PhD students and Research Fellows (DDA): The survey returns an overall score of 4.73, a value higher than both the average of the cluster of "Mega" universities (4.07) and the general average of all participating universities (4.25). Library services received the highest score (5.06), followed by teaching support services (4.97).
• Technical-Administrative Staff (PTA): Overall satisfaction levels stood at 4.48, placing Padova in first place among the universities in its size cluster (cluster average 4.22).
•Students:
- STUD I (first year): about 92% of students are satisfied with their university experience. Library and secretarial services are among the most popular (scores of 4.66 and 4.22 respectively).
- STUD II (subsequent years): about 86% of students are satisfied. In particular, satisfaction with library services remains very high (4.72), while the lowest score concerns Job placement/Career service (3.64, still higher than the reference cluster value of 3.32).
2. Efficiency and Costs, analysis that evaluates the resources (total, unit and FTE costs) dedicated to services.
• Total Unit Cost: For 2024, the cost per student in Padova is 1,801 euros, up from 1,715 euros in 2023. This value is higher than the average of the size cluster (1,436 euros).
• Personnel Incidence: Structured personnel costs represent 64.6% of the total costs mapped for the purposes of the efficiency survey.
• Level of Centralization: The university has a rate of centralization of services equal to 36.5%.
3. Integrated Dashboard, which compares efficiency (costs) and effectiveness (CS) for macro-areas:
• Administration: Unit cost slightly above average (20.44 vs 20.11 in the cluster), but effectiveness (CS) clearly above average for DDAs (+10.75%).
• Teaching: Unit cost of €334.75 (higher than the benchmark of €273.32), with a very positive satisfaction of first-year students (STUD I) (+17% compared to the benchmark).
• Research: Unit cost of €159.08 (lower than the cluster average of €181.35), with a DDA satisfaction index much higher than the average (+10.45%).

The following graph shows the comparison between effectiveness and overall efficiency for each university:

4. Experimental Laboratories (GP Sperimentale) which includes two vertical in-depth studies on current issues:
• AGID Three-Year Digital Transformation Plan: Analyzes universities' digital transformation plans to highlight good practices and adapt AGID guidelines to the specificities of the academic sector.
• Analytical Accounting of Research Projects: Aims to compare accounting practices for the management, monitoring and economic reporting of research projects in departments.
The results of the surveys are published on the University website in the "Transparent Administration" section and a specific report will be sent to each facility.

For more details, please refer to the report.

Board of administration

Board of Administration Meeting of 27 January 2026

PhD: Unipd approves the financial plan for the XLII cycle and increases the amount of scholarships

The University of Padova confirms its strategic commitment to doctoral training. With a total allocation of over 16.5 million euros, of which about 10 million allocated by the Ministry and 6.5 million from its own budget resources, the University ensures the coverage of 255 scholarships (equal to 765 years), with the aim of stabilizing enrolment levels after the end of the PNRR.
Higher scholarships for PhD students
To facilitate its doctoral students and ensure the recovery of the purchasing power of scholarships, the University has provided for an increase of 100 euros per month in the minimum amount of the scholarship established by the MUR.
The new economic framework
With the increase, the final amount of the scholarship rises from the current 16,243 euros to 17,443 euros (gross recipient), including the increase provided for periods of training/research abroad, to which is added the budget for research activities in Italy and abroad, equal to 10% of the amount of the scholarship.
In addition to the 255 PhD scholarships funded by the MUR and the University, there will be those funded by third parties and departments.

STARS@UNIPD 2025: Results of the call

The lines of financing
The funding allocation phase of the fourth edition of the Supporting TAlent in ReSearch (STARS@UNIPD) call has been concluded. The biennial syllabus supports innovative and ambitious 30-month bottom-up, research projects presented by individual Principal Investigators (PIs), of any age and nationality, who wish to conduct their research at a Department of the University of Padova. The call, which for the 2025 edition was able to count on a total budget of 9 million euros, of which about 3 million made available by the Caripo Foundation, was divided into three lines of intervention: Starting Grants (STARS-StG); Consolidator Grants (STARS-CoG); Wild Card Grants (STARS-WiC).
The results of the selection
The 293 proposals submitted (of which 278 were deemed eligible for funding) were subject to a rigorous evaluation procedure by a commission of 25 international experts divided into ERC macro-areas. The Council approved the 41 projects recommended by the commissioners for immediate funding (33 StG, 7 CoG and 1 WiC), for a total amount of €7.6 million. Cinque of the winning researchers in the Starting Grants line will also benefit from the Mobility Allowance, a specific incentive aimed at supporting international mobility.
The Commission has also drawn up a reserve list, proposing seven projects of excellent quality, to be supported compatibly with the availability of funds. The budget surplus, amounting to EUR 1.162 million, will allow the first six projects to be financed, while the last will be financed if there are any further savings on the syllabus.

Health care for off-campus students: renewed the protocol with the ULSS 6 Euganea

The University of Padova renews its commitment to the well-being of its members by signing the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with the ULSS 6 Euganea for the three-year period 2026-2028. The agreement allows off-campus students to access the assistance of a General Practitioner in the Padua area without having to give up their doctor in the municipality of residence. In the last two years alone, about 800 registrations have been registered per year. The annual fee to join the service is 25 euros.
The University will take care of the dissemination of operational details and the constant updating of the list of available doctors. The list will be easily available on the institutional portal of the University of Padova.

Unipd for freedom of research: collaboration with the Institute for International Education (IIE-SRF) begins

The initiative is part of the broader institutional syllabus "People at Risk", which in recent years has made it possible to develop strategies for the reception of scholars and students, refugees and asylum seekers, whose safety or intellectual freedom is compromised in their countries of origin.
The agreement with the IIE-SRF
The University of Padova has signed a two-year Sub-recipient Agreement with the US agency IIE-SRF, as part of a project promoted by the United States Department of State - Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). The University will receive a total contribution of 360,000 USD, to provide six research fellowships to as many researchers, worth 55,000 USD. The selection of beneficiaries is the responsibility of the Institute for International Education; the University has the right to identify, among the profiles reported, those consistent with its research areas for the activation of contracts.

From research to social issues: the culture of giving supports the excellence of the University of Padova

The University of Padova consolidates its role as a catalyst for resources and projects, promoting the culture of donation (philanthropy) among its stakeholders, within which the donor (whether a legal or natural person) shares the objectives and vision of the University and supports specific projects. According to the report of donations signed in 2025, the University has in fact benefited from donations for a total of over 1.7 million euros (amounts mainly referring to the activities of the central administration).
Strategic assets of support
• Research and Higher Education (817,446 euros): the flagship projects include the WISH (Women Intimate Shelter) syllabus against gender-based violence, the funding of a new three-year PhD on technologies for the energy transition, cutting-edge research in oncology and neurology
• Scholarships and study awards (467,441 euros): strategic tools not only to support students, but also to allow donors to invest in ESG and social responsibility policies with measurable results
• Social Impact and Public Engagement (€223,844): initiatives with social and symbolic value such as Students at Risk, to support students in conditions of international fragility, and the Science4All dissemination event, aimed at citizens.
• Heritage protection activities (€61,460)
• Donations in kind (€181,083): a segment that is relevant above all for the enhancement of the University's museum and scientific heritage.

For further decisions taken by the Board of Administration, please refer to the report.

Board of administration

Board of Administration Meeting of 19 December 2025

Single Budget 2026 and Three-Year Budget 2026-2028

The University has defined the financial planning for the next three years, outlining a framework of operational stability and continuity in investments. The forecast document for the 2026 financial year presents a balanced income statement, with revenues and costs of approximately 975 million euros.
Operational management
The 2026 budget benefits from an increase in the Ordinary Financing Fund (FFO) disbursed by the MUR, which will exceed €386 million (an increase of €18.37 million compared to 2024). This change is attributable to two factors:
- the expansion at national level of the ordinary financing fund (+3.72%);
- the positive results obtained by the University in terms of performance in the distribution of these resources.
There was also a limited growth in revenue from student fees, linked to the consolidation of the trend in enrolments in previous years. It is envisaged that these resources will be allocated primarily to the implementation of student services.
Investment Piano
The investment planning for the three-year period 2026-2028 provides for the purchase for fixed assets quantified as follows:
- FY 2026: approx. €200 million
- Total three-year period: approximately €544.6 million
An element of discontinuity with the recent past will be the closure of projects related to the PNRR, scheduled for the first months of 2026, with a cross-cutting impact on both revenue and expenditure items.
University Policies
For 2026, the Administration has allocated about 60 million euros for the financing of strategic policies. Within this allocation, three new priority lines of intervention have been identified in the areas of teaching and internationalization:
- Incentives for international students: targeted programs for the enrolment of high-potential degree seeker profiles
- Supportfor Degree Programmes: structural interventions to support the degree courses
- Researchdoctorates: increase in the minimum value of scholarships, aimed at improving the sustainability of research paths.

Three-Year Public Works Programme 2026-2028
In line with the financial planning, the University has defined the Three-Year Piano of Public Works, which provides for interventions for a total value of approximately 381.46 million euros. 34% of the financial coverage (approximately €129.6 million) is made up of contributions from external funding.
The plan includes both the construction of new infrastructures and the completion of construction sites already started or planned. The interventions are divided into four main clusters based on the size of the economic framework:
- LargeWorks: 23 interventions of strategic importance, each with an investment of more than 5.4 million euros
- Renovations and Extensions: 43 projects aimed at the transformation and restoration of the building heritage, with a unit value between 1 and 5.4 million euros
- Maintenance and Recovery: 47 interventions focused on extraordinary maintenance, compliance and building recovery, for economic frameworks between 150 thousand and 1 million euros
- Framework Agreements: to ensure operational flexibility in ordinary and extraordinary maintenance interventions, approximately 58 million euros have been allocated over the three-year period, of which 16 million refer to the year 2026.

Three-Year Programme for the Procurement of Supplies and Services 2026-2028
The Three-Year Procurement Programme consolidates the procedures for the acquisition of goods and services with an estimated unit amount equal to or greater than €140,000. For the three-year period 2026-2028, the planning provides for a total economic commitment of 152.3 million euros.
The programming is a tool for the analysis of needs and administrative transparency, with the following functional objectives:
- Management efficiency: stipulation of contracts at University level that will allow individual structures to access centralized procedures, simplifying acquisition processes and optimizing the management of assignments
- Strategic coherence: alignment of purchases with the general objectives defined in the Authority's strategic planning documents
- Administrative streamlining: reduction of procedural burdens for individual spending centers thanks to the use of predefined negotiation tools.

Sustainability Report 2024-2025: Performance Analysis and Impacts
The University has published the seventh edition of the Sustainability Report, a document that monitors the progress of the objectives defined in the Sustainability Commitment Charters (2018-2022 and 2023-2027 cycles). The report offers an integrated report of management, teaching, research and third mission activities, analyzing their environmental, social and economic impacts.
Governance and Institutional Networks
On an institutional level, the two-year period 2024/2025 was characterized by the consolidation of strategic collaborations. Of particular importance is the entry, at the end of 2024, of the University of Padova into the Coordination Committee of the RUS (Network of Universities for Sustainable Development), a position that strengthens the role of the University in national coordination processes.
Environmental Indicators and Carbon Footprint
The analysis of the carbon footprint for the year 2024 confirms a positive trend in the long term:
- GHG emissions reduction: -22% compared to the 2018 baseline
- Annual change: The increase compared to 2023 was contained within 2.5%, thanks to energy efficiency policies and the exclusive supply of energy from renewable sources.
Actions and Projects 2024-2025
The main operational initiatives launched in the last year include:
- Circular Economy: launch of the Reuse Portal, an internal platform for the relocation of disused but still functional institutional assets between the different structures of the University
- Sustainable Mobility: launch of the plan to electrify the University's fleet and installation of charging infrastructure at university campuses
- Training: expansion of the degree courses dedicated to sustainability issues, with the integration of specific modules not only in degree courses, but also in doctorates and post-graduate courses.
Positioning in International Rankings
The effectiveness of the policies implemented is reflected in the main global evaluation indices:
- QS Sustainability: 110th place in the world out of a base of 1,744 universities and 1st nationally
- THE Impact Rankings: inclusion in the 101-200 range globally for three of the goals of the 2030 Agenda (SDGs)
- UI GreenMetric: 195th position in the world ranking for campus sustainability.
Read the in-depth study.

Supplementary Bargaining: Approved the CCIL 2025-2027 for Technical and Administrative Staff
The Board of Directors has approved the Supplementary Collective Labour Agreement (CCIL) for technical and administrative staff for the three-year period 2025-2027. The agreement was signed by the Public Delegation, the RSU and the trade unions FLC CGIL, ANIEF, FGU GILDA UNAMS and CISL FSUR, and with the commitment to sign it by UIL RUA.
The new contract defines the legal framework for the three-year period 2025-2027 and defines the criteria for allocating the ancillary treatment for the year 2025, while outlining the projections for the following two-year period. It invests in an important and balanced way in the strengthening of the organizational structure, in economic progression and in corporate welfare.
The supplementary contract will be published at the following link https://www.unipd.it/accordi-vigenti-ccil.

Piano Integrato di Attività e Organizzazione (PIAO) 2026-2028
With a three-year horizon and annual update, the Piano is aimed at optimizing the quality, transparency and efficiency of the administrative action and services provided.
Strategic and Management Objectives
The document defines the operational guidelines for the next three years, divided into several fundamental axes:
- Human Capital and Organization: Definition of the personnel management and development strategy, including learning outcomes and methodologies for recruitment and internal enhancement
- Performance and Transparency: Planning of strategic performance objectives and consolidation of measures to combat corruption
- Innovation and Accessibility: Identification of administrative procedures to be simplified or re-engineered, with the aim of ensuring full accessibility, physical and digital, to the University's infrastructures and services
- Inclusion and Equality: Implementation of concrete actions for the respect of gender equality and equal opportunities.
Integrated Structure of the Piano
The PIAO 2026-2028 coordinates and integrates various programming documents to ensure the coherence of University policies:
- Personnel: this section incorporates the content of the 2025-2027 staff recruitment syllabus already approved by the Board of Directors last July and the commitments contained in the supplementary contract of the PTA for the three-year period 2025-2027
- Organisational Performance: the section dedicated to performance defines the organisational objectives of the General Manager, the managers and the persons in charge of the organisational positions of the structures, according to the methodology provided for by the University's Performance Measurement and Evaluation system
- Positive Actions: defines specific measures to promote equity and the organizational climate
- Transparency and Prevention of Corruption: identifies specific measures on the subject
Read the summary for more information

The Protocol for the "Health Registry Desk" at the University has been renewed

The University has renewed the Memorandum of Understanding with ULSS 6 Euganea, designed to support international users (EU and non-EU students, teachers and technical-administrative staff) in the field of health.
On the occasion of the renewal, two significant innovations were introduced:
- New insurance options: The service has been updated in line with recent legislative provisions that have reoriented part of international users towards specific forms of insurance
- Extension to Italian students: With a view to sustainability and strengthening university welfare, the catchment area has been officially expanded. The desk will now also be accessible to Italian students, guaranteeing cross-cutting support to the entire student population present on campus

For further decisions taken by the Board of Administration, please refer to the report.