There is an Italian university among the first top 10 universities in the world under fifty years old: it is the “thirty years old” Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa (founded in 1987) which, according to the 2016ranking of the 150 best young universities in the world compiled by the Times Higher Education (THE) and released today. Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna placed tenth in global rankings and ranks first in Italy. Our country was represented by another five institutions, and the ranking released today confirmed the competitive strength of our research and university system, also showing Milano Bicocca as 51st position, Veronajoint 66th, Rome III 72nd, Tor Vergata 81st and Brescia joint 86th in the world’s top 100 universities. “It is a matter of great satisfaction to Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Sant’Anna rector Professor Pierdomenico Perata says – to be ranked among the top 10 young universities in the world founded less than 50 years ago. Sant’Anna School is under 30 years old and is already at the top of the global ranking, and the first in Italy. This ranking – continues Perata – highlights the presence of young universities in highly innovative countries, such as Switzerland, since the EPFL Lausanne ranked first, and fast growing countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea. The presence of an Italian university among the top 10 and five other universities in the top 100 ranking shows how the university system, despite the difficulties, is able to boost young and dynamic organizations, that can help the development of our country. I am happy to hear Phil Baty statement, the Times Higher Education rankings editor, according to which ‘it is significant that Italy, which boasts some of the oldest universities in the world, is so well represented in the ranking of universities founded in the last 50 years’. A sign of vitality that gives reason to hope for the future of the country demonstrating that the investment in training and research carried out by Italian companies – rector says – can be a path to improve the Italian university system. (red)
