Did you know that the Universit\u00e0 di Trieste – Economo is more than just a building? It is a cornerstone of Trieste’s academic history. Let’s step back in time and explore the story of this institution.
The University of Trieste was founded in 1924. However, the desire for a university in Trieste existed long before. The Italian-speaking population wanted a university before World War I. The Austrian authorities repeatedly rejected the proposal. After Trieste was annexed to Italy, the Superior School in Commerce gained university rights. In 1924, it officially became the University of Trieste.
In 1938 the Law faculty was established. This made the university a Studium Generale. It was then named Regia Universit\u00e0 degli Studi or The Royal University of Studies. That same year construction began on a new building on Scoglietto hill. Architects Raffaello Fagnoni and Umberto Nordio designed it. The first stone was laid on September 19 1938. The Italian Prime Minister attended the ceremony.
World War II slowed the university’s growth. The Engineering faculty was limited to naval engineering until the war ended. The faculty of Literature and philosophy was planned in 1943. However, it was postponed until 1945. After the war Trieste was under joint British and American control.
The Allied Government allowed new faculties. These included Literature and Philosophy and Mathematical Physical and Natural Sciences. They completed the main building on Scoglietto hill. An Italian government emissary attended the inauguration.
Trieste was returned to Italy in 1954. The university awarded President Luigi Einaudi an honorary degree in Economics and Commerce. New faculties were soon added. These included Pharmacy Teaching Sciences Medicine and Surgery and Political Sciences. New buildings were inaugurated on Scoglietto hill.
In 1978 the School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators became a faculty. The faculties of Psychology in 1997 and Architecture in 1998 completed the university.
Today the Universit\u00e0 di Trieste has 10 departments. These departments cover a wide range of subjects. The university has about 15000 students and 1000 professors. The main campus is on Piazzale Europa on Scoglietto hill. It houses the Rector’s office and Administration offices. The Main Library and the faculties of Law and Political Sciences are here too.
Other buildings host different faculties. Economics Pharmacy and Engineering are among them. The Department of Humanities is near the seafront. The Section of Studies in Modern Languages for Interpreting and Translation is also there.
The Universit\u00e0 di Trieste is connected to many research facilities. These include the International School for Advanced Studies and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics. The university has international cooperation agreements. These agreements involve staff and student mobility.
In 2020 Trieste was the European City of Science. The Trieste International Foundation promotes the “United Nations System of Sciences”. International institutes maintain affiliations with the University of Trieste. They offer programs from undergraduate to doctorate levels.
One hundred years of Economics were celebrated on April 15 2024. Economics was the original core of the University of Trieste. The celebration marked a century of the first faculty. It later became the Department of Economics Business Mathematics and Statistics.
The Universit\u00e0 di Trieste continues to evolve. It contributes to research education and the community. Its rich history and dedication to knowledge make it a vital institution in Trieste.