UNITA Code of Ethics and Conduct: a step toward creating a safe, fair, and inclusive academic environment
UNITA is proud to launch its Code of Ethics and Conduct, a thorough framework designed to define and encourage ethical behavior throughout the alliance’s activities. Crafted in partnership with experts, member universities, and dedicated task teams, this Code represents a significant step forward in reinforcing the core values that unite the UNITA community: integrity, commitment, professionalism, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. This Code is more than just a symbolic gesture; it serves as a practical guide for the everyday decisions and actions of students, academic staff, and administrative personnel involved in UNITA’s collaborative projects. It lays out clear expectations for respectful communication, responsible resource management, inclusive practices, and environmentally friendly choices. For example, it advocates for transparency in decision-making, fairness in workload distribution, and support for underrepresented groups. Additionally, it encourages low-impact mobility, aligning with the alliance’s environmental goals. Laura Corazza, expert in Sustainability accounting and one of the Code’s co-authors, shares: “This document reflects who we are as an alliance and serves as a guide for our future direction. It empowers us to act ethically, consistently, and collectively, even amidst diverse institutional cultures.” Maurizio De Tullio, Executive Coordinator of the UNITA alliance and one of the Code’s co-authors, shares : “The Code is the product of a collective intelligence effort of all the partners, who with their insights and feedbacks collected through several iterations, contributed to elevate the quality of the document“ To ensure that the Code is not just a document but a living practice, UNITA will set up a dedicated Ethical Committee. This committee is made up of a diverse group of representatives, including a student, faculty, staff, and ethics and quality assurance experts. They play a crucial advisory role, provide training sessions, monitor ethical compliance, and address any concerns or complaints. A secure whistleblowing platform will also be implemented, guaranteeing complete confidentiality and protection for anyone who reports misconduct. For the UNITA community, the launch of this Code signifies a collective commitment to fostering a safe, fair, and inclusive academic environment one that embodies our values not just in theory, but in action. By weaving ethics into its core, UNITA strengthens its vision of a European university alliance grounded in trust, accountability, and mutual respect. Read the Code in the UNITA website.
UNITA Office Meets with Rector and Vice Rectors of the Universidad de Zaragoza to Strengthen Collaboration
The staff of the UNITA Alliance at the University of Zaragoza met with the Rector and the new Vice Rectors last May. The aim of the meeting was to present the project to the university’s leadership team and to coordinate their collaboration in order to thrive in the international framework. According to the Alliance’s objectives, 25% of students graduating in 2028 should have participated in a UNITA mobility program. La reunión consistió en la presentación del personal de la oficina y de la exposición de los puntos más importantes de UNITA. «Yo he vivido la Alianza UNITA. Os pido como equipo que os involucréis con el alma en este proyecto. Es algo muy enriquecedor para la comunidad universitaria y el proyecto lo merece», expresó la nueva rectora Rosa Bolea, quien anteriormente ya había trabajado en la Alianza. Sergio Salinas, vicerrector de Internacionalización y Cooperación, María Villarroya, directora de la Oficina UNITA, y Kermit Macpherson, director técnico, presentaron también los objetivos del proyecto: «Mejorar la competitividad institucional, fomentar la innovación científica, las energías renovables, el patrimonio cultural, las sociedades inclusivas y promover los valores y la identidad europea».
Green Day 2025 – Book Swap Fair 22 May 2025
On May 22 2025, Task 5.3 UNITA Green Sustainability organized a Book Swap Fair to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity. All partner universities personalized the event and involved the entire UNITA community. The initiative was designed by the task group to engage the whole academic communit, students and staff raising awareness on sustainability issues. The book exchange served as an opportunity to introduce the university community to the importance of reducing paper, ink, and other resources used in book production, thereby lowering environmental impact. The event was widely attended, with numerous books exchanged and given a new life, helping to refresh personal libraries and promote the circulation of new knowledge.
Matching event of the Global Health hub at UNIBS
On June 12th and 13th, UNIBS hosted a Matching Event in Global Health, one of the six Hubs of the Alliance. The theme of the Matching Event – Mental and Physical Health, Wellbeing, and Preventive Medicine in Humans and Animals – involved 46 researchers from different universities within the Alliance, representing a wide range of scientific fields. The main goal of this Matching Event was to create professional connections between researchers with scientific interests in related thematic areas and to facilitate the launch of joint projects among partner universities. After registration and institutional greetings by the Vice-Rector for Internationalization, Prof. Roberto Ranzi, and Professors Donatella Placidi and Elisabetta Ceretti, coordinators of the Global Health Hub in Brescia, the researchers delivered their elevator pitches to the audience, providing a valuable opportunity for mutual introduction and a deeper understanding of each others’ research topics. Rector Prof. Castelli introduced the plenary session in which Prof. Silvia Clara Giliani – Rector’s delegate for International Research – and Clémence Roggo – R&D from Hes-so – presented different research opportunities such as UNITA Starting Grants and Horizon Europe programme. In the afternoon and throughout the following day, researchers engaged in one-to-one and group matching sessions aimed at fostering further collaboration among participants. The second day concluded with a meeting to gather final remarks and an optional visit to the medical and engineering laboratories of the University of Brescia. To ensure continuity of the Matching Event, a call for Starting Grants to fund collaborative projects will be published; proposals will have to be aligned with the themes of the event and include researchers from three different universities within the Alliance.
UBI at the 1st BAUHAUS4EU Forum
UBI was invited to participate in the 1st BAUHAUS4EU Forum, in a session on European University Alliances, which took place at the Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco (IPCB) between June 11 and 13. Representing UBI, the Pro-Rector for International Cooperation, Célia Nunes, and the Coordinator of the UNITA Office at UBI, Francisco do Adro, presented the UNITA – Universitas Montium Alliance. This Forum brought together around 150 representatives from the 10 European higher education institutions that are part of BAUHAUS4EU, a European Alliance of which IPCB is a partner institution. The event aimed to publicize the potential impact of the project in the regions where the Alliance partners are located.
Visit of Prof. Olivier Naef (HES-SO) to UPPA: three days of shared practices
From June 17 to 19, the University of Pau and the Adour Region (UPPA) hosted Professor Olivier Naef, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at HES-SO, for a scientific visit focused on sharing best practices and fostering academic cooperation. Du 17 au 19 juin, l’Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour a accueilli le Professeur Olivier Naef, doyen de la Faculté d’ingénierie et d’architecture de la HES-SO (Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale), actuellement en congé scientifique. Cette venue s’inscrivait dans une dynamique de partage de bonnes pratiques et de coopération académique, en lien avec les actions menées dans le cadre de l’alliance UNITA – Universitas Montium. Organisée par le bureau UNITA de l’UPPA, cette visite de trois jours a permis d’aborder de nombreux sujets liés à la formation, à la recherche, à l’internationalisation, aux relations partenariales avec le secteur non-académique et à l’innovation pédagogique. Le programme comprenait : Une présentation du projet GREEN et des actions interdisciplinaires qu’il fédère autour des transitions ; Des échanges sur les doubles diplômes, la codirection de thèses, et les modèles de co-diplômation dans un contexte européen ; Une rencontre avec la direction de la recherche et les services d’appui pour évoquer les financements européens, les mobilités croisées, et les dispositifs d’accompagnement des chercheurs ; Des temps d’observation et de discussion dans plusieurs composantes de l’université, notamment l’ISA BTP, l’IPRA, l’IAE, l’IUT et l’IAE Bayonne ; Des moments conviviaux qui ont permis de nourrir les échanges informels et de créer un véritable lien humain et professionnel. Le professeur Naef a salué l’ouverture, la diversité des approches et la qualité de l’accueil qui lui ont été réservés. Il a particulièrement souligné le potentiel du projet GREEN comme socle de coopérations structurantes entre l’UPPA et la HES-SO. « Les échanges ont été particulièrement riches et inspirants. Ils témoignent de la vitalité de l’UPPA et de sa capacité à construire des réponses innovantes aux enjeux contemporains », a-t-il précisé dans son compte rendu. Un rapport de synthèse de cette visite a été transmis à l’alliance UNITA et sera partagé avec les instances de la HES-SO afin d’envisager les prochaines étapes de cette collaboration. Un grand merci à l’ensemble des collègues impliqués dans cette visite, et à toutes celles et ceux qui font vivre au quotidien l’ouverture européenne et internationale de l’UPPA !
Rowena Mathew (USMB), Andreea E. Vantu (UNITBV), and Ilaria Guia (UNITO) win “My 3-Minute PhD Thesis” competition
PhD candidate Rowena Mathew, a student at Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB), was the winner of the 2025 edition of the “My 3-Minute PhD Thesis” Andreea E. Vantu, from Universitatea Transilvania din Brașov (UNITBV), and Ilaria Guia, from Università degli Studi di Torino (UNITO), took second and third place, respectively. UPNA was the university responsible for organizing the final of the contest. A total of eighteen PhD candidates from nine universities of the Alliance participated in the final round. The jury, composed of researchers from all the member universities, evaluated each presentation based on pre-established criteria. The event, open to the public, was also streamed live, allowing audiences across all UNITA universities to follow the competition. Winning Theses The winner, Rowena Mathew (USMB), from the field of energy economics, presented her thesis titled “Electric Vehicles, Solar Energy and Storage Potential” Second place went to Andreea E. Vantu (UNITBV), from the field of systems engineering, who defended her work “Uncertainty Quantification in Deep Learning-Based Classification and Regression – Application to Medical Data and Images” Ilaria Guia (UNITO) secured third place with her neuroscience thesis: “What Does Love Smell Like? Studying Dopamine in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb to Understand How Sexual Odors Are Processed in the Brain”
EU Law Rights and Remedies before National Courts: the 6th edition of the Turin Spring School on EU Integration, Law and Justice
The sixth edition of the Turin Spring School on EU Integration, Law and Justice took place at the University of Turin from 28 to 30 May 2025. This year’s edition, hosted by the Jean Monnet Chair “Civic Engagement, Rights and Remedies in EU Law”, focused on the evolving system of judicial protection in the EU, exploring the role of national courts in ensuring the effectiveness of EU rights and remedies, and addressing key issues such as direct effect, primacy, and judicial cooperation. From 28 to 30 May 2025, the sixth edition of the Turin Spring School on EU Integration, Law and Justice was held at the Luigi Einaudi Campus of the University of Turin, focusing on the theme:“EU Law Rights and Remedies before National Courts: Continuity and Change.” The Spring School offered a critical reflection on the evolution of remedies provided by EU law before national courts, exploring topics such as: The School, organised within the framework of UNITA – Universitas Montium,hosted 35 participants, including university students, PhD candidates, and research fellowsfrom 12 European universities. Over the three days, the programme featured lectures by internationally renowned experts in EU law,who addressed key theoretical and practical issues related to the protection of rights and the effectiveness of judicial remedies within the EU legal order. The event, organised in collaboration with the Italian Society for International Organization – Piedmont and Aosta Valley Section,is part of the activities of the Jean Monnet Chair “Civic Engagement, Rights and Remedies in EU Law” (Prof. Stefano Montaldo),and falls within the scope of Hub 3 – Environment and Climate Change of the Department of Law’s Excellence Project. The scientific committee of the Turin Spring School includes:Francesco Costamagna, Alberto Miglio, Stefano Montaldo, and Virginia Passalacqua.Leonardo Labriola also contributed to the organisation of this year’s edition.
Cristina Prandi elected new Rector of UniTo: first woman in 621 years of history
Cristina Prandi is the new Rector of the University of Turin for the 2025–2031 term, elected in the second round of voting and officially proclaimed today by Dean Giuseppe Monateri. She is the first woman to hold this position in the 621-year history of UniTo. Cristina Prandi è la nuova Rettrice dell’Università di Torino per il mandato 2025-2031, eletta al secondo turno di votazione e proclamata oggi dal Decano Giuseppe Monateri. Si tratta della prima donna a ricoprire questa carica in 621 anni di storia di UniTo. Il Prorettore indicato dalla nuova Rettrice è Gianluca Cuniberti, docente di Storia greca. Al primo turno aveva partecipato come candidata Rettrice anche Laura Scomparin, che poi si è successivamente ritirata dalla corsa. Cristina Prandi, nata nel 1965 in provincia di Novara e cresciuta a Torino, è professoressa ordinaria di Chimica Organica al Dipartimento di Chimica di UniTo. Dopo il dottorato in Biologia e Biotecnologie, si è specializzata nella sintesi di fitormoni naturali e chimica verde. Ha ricoperto il ruolo di Vice-Rettrice per la Ricerca e coordina progetti su tecnologie sostenibili. “Sono molto emozionata – dichiara a caldo Cristina Prandi – di essere la prima Rettrice di questa storica università, spero di essere la prima tra tante. Il soffitto di cristallo diventa finalmente accessibile. Nella lunga campagna elettorale ci ha seguito passo passo una squadra allargata, ringrazio il futuro prorettore Gianluca Cuniberti e tutte e tutti quelli che ci hanno votato. Partiremo dalle azioni indicate nei primi 100 giorni con priorità riguardo l’edilizia, l’internazionalizzazione e la velocizzazione dei processi amministrativi”. “La partecipazione eccezionale registrata anche in questo secondo turno conferma – sottolinea l’attuale Rettore Stefano Geuna – la straordinaria vitalità che anima il nostro Ateneo. Una vitalità che, nel corso di questi anni di mandato rettorale, abbiamo avuto modo di apprezzare in molte occasioni e che abbiamo sempre riconosciuto come un autentico valore. Per questo l’abbiamo coltivata e tutelata, riconoscendola come una risorsa preziosa per l’intera comunità accademica. Anche per questo, l’esito del voto rappresenta un segnale chiaro: l’idea di un Ateneo conflittuale e negativo non rispecchia la visione della maggioranza della nostra comunità. Alla nuova Rettrice, prima donna in oltre 600 anni di storia, e al nuovo Prorettore vanno le nostre più sincere congratulazioni e l’augurio di un proficuo lavoro al servizio dell’Università”.
Ana Paula Duarte elected Rector of UBI
Ana Paula Coelho Duarte will be the next Rector of the University of Beira Interior (UBI), having been elected on 6 June by the institution’s General Council. She will be the sixth person to lead the Rectorate of UBI, and the first woman to hold the position. The elected Rector is 63 years old and has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Coimbra. She obtained her PhD in Paper Engineering at UBI, where she also presented her Aggregation Exams in Paper Engineering. She became a Full Professor in 2009. In addition to her career as a teacher and researcher, she has participated in various bodies at UBI, notably as Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation between 2009 and 2013, having created the Research Coordination Institute, which she also chaired. She was also elected to the first General Council of UBI in 2008 and for the terms beginning in 2016, 2020 and 2024, having headed lists in the first two. She coordinated the Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI) for two successive terms between 2015 and 2019. She is currently Vice-President of the Faculty of Health Sciences for Research, Community Projects and Faculty Centre Management, a position she has held since 2017. Ana Paula Duarte is also director of the Doctorate/3rd Cycle in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is expected to take office as Rector later this month.