Luiss (Free International University of Social Studies) was born, as an autonomous university, a Roma, from the “Pro Deo”, a pre-existing institution. It was 1974 when a group of entrepreneurs, including Umberto and Gianni Agnelli, Together with Victor Merloni and with the support of Confindustria, they take over the university "Pro Deo”, Established in 1986 and now in decline. In the following years, the new owners were joined by important industrial groups and credit companies. In 1977 the university was named Luiss and the then president of Confindustria, Guido Carli, he assumed the presidency in 1978 and until 1993, the year of his death. Today Luiss bears his name.
The university yesterday and today
Luiss immediately offered its students an advanced training model and prestigious teachers. The new owners wanted the university to become a hotbed for the formation of new classes through the teachings of the social sciences. Already in the early years, alongside the main subjects, foreign languages (English, French and German) were included together with the basic notions of computer science. In 1982, the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences was joined by that of Law. Today Luiss is among the most renowned limited number universities in Italy. Specialized in economic, political and legal subjects, the university aims to train the future ruling class of the country. The current president is Vincenzo Boccia, the vice president is Paola Severino.
The solid link with Confindustria
Luiss continues to maintain a close relationship with Confindustria, with which it shares the president. Thanks to this precious bond, the university receives the funding it needs and can count on collaboration with over two hundred national and international companies. Through these, Luiss organizes internships and meetings between students and the world of production and offers its graduates the opportunity for a faster insertion into the world of work. The employment rate of graduates, in fact, just one year after graduation, is equal to 94 per cent. The Department of Economics and Finance also recorded peaks of 97 percent.
Record in applications for admission
During this post-pandemic year, Luiss recorded a new record in applications for admission. Three-year and single-cycle degree courses recorded an increase of 23 per cent over the previous year (with +35 per cent of applications from foreign students), and of 10 per cent for master's degree courses. To enroll in this university it is necessary to pass an entrance test and to be classified in a useful position in the ranking. Enrolled students are obliged to attend classes full time. They are also held in English. Through agreements with about one hundred European and non-European universities, the university favors international exchanges and offers various paths that allow for the achievement of joint degrees with those of foreign universities.
A little numbers
There are four departments at Luiss: Economics and Finance, Business and Management, Law, Political Science. The student population counts 85 nationalities. The university continues to consolidate its network of relationships with over 310 partner universities in 64 countries and 55 double degree programs and structured partnerships, involving around 1.400 students in mobility across borders each year. In addition to this, there is growing attention to merit and scholarships, with inclusion and training projects in Italy and for young people from disadvantaged areas of Africa and war zones.
The four "I"
At the beginning of the new academic year 2021-2022, the President of the university, Vincenzo Boccia, underlined the importance that Luiss gives to internationalization, interdisciplinarity and innovation. "It's three 'I' - he said - of our training model, guidelines on which we orient our strategic vision. To these we add a fourth, that of Inclusion which means opening up to the other, to the different, to the new. Today, to contribute to Italy's recovery, development and economic growth, Luiss is a candidate to be a training hub between Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa ".
The offices
The Luiss offices are divided into 12 structures, including didactic spaces, offices and residences, in Rome and Milan with the Milan Luiss Hub. Luiss campuses offer students a well-rounded university experience: from extracurricular activities, to the possibility of playing in the teams of the Sports Association. The latter was founded in 1999 by Antonio Bulgheroni. Various activities are practiced there such as football, athletics, cycling.
(Photo: Luiss Guido Carli. Facebook page)
