University of Urbino

History

The University of Urbino was founded 519 years ago in 1506 by Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, the Duke of Urbino. One year later, the magistracy of Urbino was granted power to award doctorates in canon and civil law by papal bull from Pope Julius II.

Starting in the 1960s, under the guidance of Carlo Bo as Rector, the university succeeded in buying up numerous derelict buildings in the historic center of Urbino. The numerous buildings which have since been restored are used by the university as department centers, classrooms, and libraries. It was under the long-lasting rectorship of professor Carlo Bo, distinguished humanist and Senator for Life, that the university enjoyed unprecedented growth in size and prestige, prompting the former president of the European Commission, Roy Jenkins, to state that "the University of Urbino is an incisive presence in contemporary thought, contributing in original ways to the cultural and intellectual life of Europe". This was also the period in which architect Giancarlo De Carlo designed and built the University Halls of Residence and redesigned and modernized several of the university's other buildings.

In 2003, the university was named after Carlo Bo, after serving as rector for fifty-four years from 1947 until his death in 2001.

Organization

Departments

Until 2013 the university was divided into 11 faculties:

Following the approval of the so-called Gelmini reform in 2009, and starting from the 2013/2014 academic year, the faculty-based organisation was replaced by a department-based structure. It is currently composed of the following departments and institutes:

Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DISPeA)

Department of Communication Sciences, Humanities and International Studies. Cultures, Languages, Literatures, Arts, Media (DISCUI)

Department of Economics, Society, Politics (DESP)

Department of Humanities (DISTUM)

Department of Law (DIGIUR)

Department of Biomolecular Sciences (DISB)

Superior Institute of Religious Sciences 'Italo Mancini' (ISSR)

Institute of Journalism (Ifg)

Libraries

The University offers to students and staff a number of libraries making up the University Library System, such as the Library for Modern and Contemporary European Literature from the charitable 'Carlo and Marise Bo' foundation.

Colleges

The University does not have its own residence halls. However, a number of colleges and dormitories for University of Urbino students are owned and managed by the regional office for the right to academic education. They include four colleges (Vela, Tridente, Aquilone and Serpentine) and one female dormitory (Casa Studentessa) in Urbino, one college located in the scientific campus between Urbino and Fermignano, and a number of rented private accommodation blocks in Pesaro and Fano, paid for by the regional government.

Prizes

The Commandino Medal is awarded by the University every year in recognition of extraordinary contributions in the history of science.

The commission charged with awarding the Commandino medal is appointed by the Director of the International Study Center Urbino and Perspective. Scientific humanism from Piero and Leonardo to the Galilean revolution and the candidates are chosen according to their contributions to the history of science. It has been awarded annually since 2014, with no award being made in 2019. The 2021 and 2022 medals were awarded in 2022 and 2023. Awardees: Reviel Netz (Israel, 2014), William René Shea (Canada, 2015), Enrico Gamba (Italy, 2016), Roger Penrose (UK, 2017), Jürgen Renn (Germany, 2018), Monica Ugaglia (Italy, 2020), Victor Pambuccian (Romania, 2021), Karine Chemla (France, 2022),

Niccolò Guicciardini (Italy, 2025).

The Dal Monte Medal is awarded by the University every year in recognition of contributions in the history of science by young researchers. It was inaugurated in 2022. Awardees: Vincenzo de Risi (Italy, 2022), Flavia Marcacci (Italy, 2023), Nathan Camillo Sidoli (U.S.A., 2025) .

Notable people

Alumni

Majlinda Bregu, politician, minister of European Integration of Albania (2009–2013)

Duccia Camiciotti, poet and writer

Lorella Cedroni, political philosopher

Valeria Ciavatta, politician, captain regent of San Marino in 2003–2004 and in 2014

Ivo Mattozzi, historian

Alessia Morani, politician, MP since 2013

Alessandra Moretti, politician, MP (2013–2014) and MEP (2014–2015)

Giuseppe Novelli, biologist

Mario Pappagallo, journalist

Giovanna Trillini, foil fencer, multiple medalist at Olympics and World Championships

Faculty and staff

Giovanni de' Brignoli di Brünnhoff, botanist, founder of the Orto Botanico "Pierina Scaramella"

Alessandro Serpieri, astronomer and seismologist

Anna Maria Bisi, archaeologist

Carlo Bo, literary critic, senator for life (1984–2001), rector of the university (1947–2001)

Sabino Cassese, constitutional lawyer, minister of Public Administration (1993–1994), member of the Constitutional Court of Italy (2005–2014)

Umberto Piersanti, poet and sociologist of literature

Cesare Questa, classicist

Paolo Virno, philosopher and semiologist

Bruno Visentini, politician and business lawyer, minister of Finance (1974–1976 and 1983–1987), minister for Budget (1979) and several times MP

Khaled Fouad Allam, sociologist and MP (2006–2008)

Stefano Arduini, linguist

Ilvo Diamanti, political scientist and sociologist

Alessandro Jacchia, television producer

Domenico Losurdo, political theorist and philosopher

Massimo Negrotti, AI sociologist

Mario Vella, philosopher and social theorist

Points of interest

Orto Botanico "Pierina Scaramella", the university's botanical garden.